April 2009
Wearing the Crown of 24 Tribes
by Gail Rubin
Miss Indian New Mexico 2008 MaryHelen Juanico is proud of her Acoma Pueblo heritage and wants to help Native Americans across the state retain their tribe's language.
"Throughout the Pueblo of Acoma, we're starting to lose our language among the younger generation. A lot of the 24 tribes throughout New Mexico are losing their native languages," says Juanico, 19.
At events, she always introduces herself in Acoma's Keres (pronounced Care-Ezz) language. When speaking with Native American teenagers, she'll ask them for just a word or phrase in their native tongue. By her count, only about one in four can comply.
"I'm fortunate to come from a very traditional Acoma family, which I'm very proud of," says Juanico. She inherited her mother's Bear Clan affiliation and the Yellow Corn Clan from her father, both of whom speak Keres.
Juanico got involved with the pageant because the 2007 winner was also from Acoma. Four young Acoma women have held the Miss Indian New Mexico crown in the pageant's 45-year history. Other title-holders hailed from the Navajo, Hopi, Apache, a few Plains tribes, and the pueblos of Zuni, Taos, Tesuque, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Isleta, and Laguna.
She hopes her official appearances at events around the state will help make beneficial changes as she provides a positive role model for young people. She has attended numerous pueblo feasts, the annual Santa Fe Indian Market, the State Fair parade, and the Navajo Nation Fair, among many other events.
Miss Indian New Mexico serves as a goodwill ambassador for all Native Americans from this state. In addition to supporting the preservation of traditions, culture and languages, she promotes and models a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from using alcohol, tobacco products, and drugs. Each participant must be between the ages of 18 and 24, an enrolled tribal member, resident of New Mexico, never married, and have no dependents.
The judging is a two-day process, including writing an autobiography, a platform of issues that the candidate will advocate, a short story about one's tribe, and a current event essay. There's also a talent competition. Juanico demonstrated her talent for creating embroidery used in traditional Acoma outfits.
Juanico juggles her Miss Indian New Mexico duties with courses at New Mexico State University in Grants. With the demands of wearing the crown, she has learned how to prioritize her activities.
"It takes a lot of your time, but I get such a good feeling meeting people, traveling all over and learning so much from different cultures," says Juanico. "It really makes you realize what you're doing for your people—not just for your own tribe, but for all Native Americans throughout the whole state of New Mexico."
If you know anyone who'd make a good profile for this column—including yourself—let us know at sespinoza@enchantment.coop.
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