‘Sundance Woman’ wins Miss Native American USU Pageant

Brailey Black, a student of Northern Arapaho and Diné heritage, has been crowned Utah State University’s new Miss Native American USU.  

The contestants of the Miss Native American USU Pageant are introduced to the judges. Nov. 12.

 “It’s a surreal feeling. I can’t wait to see what the year brings and holds for me,” Black said.  

 The pageant took place in the Evan N. Stevenson Ballroom in the TSC on Nov. 12, where three contestants competed by showcasing their talents and teaching traditional skills to the judges. 

 For Black, winning the title marks another step in a passion for pageantry that began when she was young. In 2013, she was crowned Lil Feathers Junior Princess for Granite School District.   

 “I’ve had a passion for pageants since I was small, and I enjoy representing my tribes — who I am — and telling my story,” Black said.  

 While she wore the sash from 2013 to 2014, Black said she has held onto the title throughout her life.  

 “I still have my sash to this day,” Black said. “It helped me become who I am today as well as represent where I come from.”  

 Her connection to her culture is also reflected in her Native American name, Sundance Woman, which is named after a traditional ceremony called Sundance.  

 “I hold our traditions and ceremonies very close to my heart,” Black said.  

 Black is a human biology student who hopes to attend medical school or pursue dentistry in the future. She is also the mother of a one-year-old boy.  

 “He is my motivation through school as a full-time student,” Black said.  

 Miss Native American USU is a decades-long tradition, traced back to the 1970s through USU’s Special Collections & Archives.  

 The first Miss Native American USU, called Miss Indian USU at the time, was Linda Ridley. She was crowned in 1972 during the university’s American Indian Emphasis Week, said Faustine Saganey, the Heritage & Culture program coordinator.  

 Many of the previous Miss Native American USUs have been documented, but some remain unknown.  

 Although Utah State University’s Native American student population is relatively small, its eastern campuses, including the Logan campus, are located on the ancestral lands of federally recognized Native American tribes.  

 Miss Native American USU is responsible for advocating for these Native Americans on campus by attending powwows, serving on the Native American student council and completing service hours, said Saganey.  

 Saganey said the previous winner, Cynthia Tsosie, went above and beyond in her role.  

 During her time as Miss Native American USU, Tsosie worked with Navajo and Shoshone tribal leaders, participated in community outreach and youth engagement throughout Utah and the Navajo Nation. She also helped raise more than $3,000 for the USU Pow Wow.  

 According to Saganey, Tsosie also supported the USU Black Student Union and the USU Queer Student Alliance.  

 “Our Miss Native does create a bridge and a connection far more than we can comprehend,” Saganey said.  

 Tsosie is grateful for all she was able to accomplish and experience during her time in the role.  

 “It was just amazing to see how far I was able to go with the crown,” Tsosie said.  

Brailey Black and Cynthia Tsosie the new and previous Miss Native American.

 When Tsosie saw the contestants on the stage this year, she said she was happy to see other girls want to represent Miss Native American.  

 “My year as Miss Native will be entirely different from theirs. They will have their own challenges and setbacks,” Tsosie said.  

 Tsosie is excited to see what Black will accomplish this year.  

 “She is willing to learn, she is patient, she has a great personality which will help her a lot in this position,” Tsosie said.