GALLUP, N.M.— For nearly a century, the Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial has been a space where Native communities gather to share tradition, art, song and dance.
At the center of this celebration stands one of its most cherished honors, the crowning of Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen.
This year, seven young indigenous women from across Diné Bikéyah and beyond have stepped forward with strength and grace, each bringing a diversity of culture, language and leadership. The pageant is not about crowns or regalia alone, it’s a celebration of womanhood deeply rooted in tribal traditions, ancestral language and the values that guide Native lifeways.
Meet the 2025 Contestants:
Ewakeedah Martin, 23
Navajo & Dakota Sioux – Montezuma Creek, Utah
Nizhoni Bah Martin, 20
Navajo, Mexican, Mayan/Aztec, Modoc & Irish – Twin Lakes, NM
Rihanna Carrol, 19
White Mountain Apache & Navajo – McNary, AZ
Tyra Manycows, 19
Navajo & Assiniboine – Hard Rock, AZ
Hannah Williams, 20
Navajo – Butterfly Butte, AZ
Aariyanna Billy, 18
Navajo – Sawmill, AZ
Josephine Bitsui, 23
Navajo – Chinle & Greasewood, AZ
The ceremonial queen pageant is not a contest, it is a cultural responsibility. These young women do not compete to be the most glamorous, but to become cultural ambassadors for the next year, representing their people, languages and the sacred teachings passed down from elders.
From weaving belts to singing in Diné Bizaad, this pageant is where modern culture meets ancestral knowledge.
“Let us honor these seven resilient women, not just for stepping into the spotlight, but for carrying with them the songs, prayers, and hope of many generations,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
