Miss Southwest Navajo passes down her crown

You heard that right: Jaden is considered royalty in the Navajo community.

Last September, Jaden competed in the 2017 Miss Southwest Navajo pageant in Whitecone, Arizona. Adorned in traditional clothing made by her grandmother, a shocked smile ran across her face as a silver crown with turquoise stones was placed atop her head. This crown had been worn by every Miss Southwest Navajo for nearly 30 years before her. Hundreds of audience members from Navajo communities all over Arizona clapped encouragingly as they were introduced to Jaden, the new royal.

The Miss Southwest Navajo pageant has been a tradition of the Navajo Nation in Arizona since 1991. The pageant is a way for young Navajo women to showcase their heritage. Instead of focusing on looks, which has been a recent controversy with U.S. pageants, the Miss Southwest contestants are asked to display a traditional and contemporary talent of the Navajo peoples. The women all present in the Navajo language of Diné Bizaad.

For her traditional talent, Jaden made Nitsidi'go'I, a grinded corn bread, in front of the audience. Her contemporary talent was making medicinal salves from plants native to Diné Bikeyah (Navajoland).

“I gathered plants that grew around my home and made a headache and muscle rub, which I handed out to the audience,” she explained. “The Diné people are strong and smart individuals. We are able to live off of the land. We know which plants to use for certain illnesses and injuries, and that is the reason I chose to make the salves.”

Jaden said making the bread and salves were easy to pull off as her talents because she learned them at a young age from her great-grandmother. In fact, family is often a huge focus in the Navajo culture.

Jaden was inspired to enter the pageant by her older sister. Alyson Shirley was Miss Southwest Navajo, as well as the 2015-2016 Miss Navajo Nation, who represents the entire Navajo community between state lines.

“I accompanied (Alyson) to events she attended and witnessed what royalty do,” Jaden said. “I wanted to be a role model for the younger generation. I wanted to make a difference in not only my community but the Navajo Nation.”

After being crowned, Jaden focused on revitalizing the Diné language, starting with the younger generation.

“I went to schools and events and talked to children about the importance of it,” Jaden said. “Our Navajo language is unique and difficult to learn, as it is very descriptive. Our elders helped win World War II with it.” Jaden is referring to the famous Navajo Code Talkers who developed a code impenetrable to the Japanese. “It is so important to keep it alive."

As Miss Southwest Navajo, it wasn’t just local children that Jaden interacted with. Jaden said her most enjoyable moments throughout her reign were meeting people from all over. This extended to people from neighboring tribes, out of state, and even Europe.

“It was exciting to tell them all about our Navajo Nation, our culture, our language and my role as Miss Southwest Navajo,” she said.

At first, Jayden says it was a challenge overcoming her shyness. “Before holding a title, I never used to speak up. I always held my head down,” she recalled. Now, after meeting thousands of individuals at events, Jaden said she has learned to use her voice and keep her head up in confidence.

In the long term, Jaden hopes to join the Marine Corps and then get her master’s degree. Jaden’s job next year, however, will be to mentor the new Miss Southwest Navajo. Raylynn Thomas of Indian Wells has been chosen as the 2018-2019 royal. Jaden’s advice to the 17-year-old incoming Holbrook High School senior is to “stay head strong, humble, and positive.”