Nicole Blanchard
Editor-in-Chief
Adorned in intricate outfits of beads, buckskin, turquoise and other handmade goods, Taylor Thomas and Chastity Lee look like royalty.
That’s because they are – crowned Miss Shoshone-Bannock and Miss Native ISU, respectively, Thomas and Lee are focused on bringing traditional aspects of their cultures to light.
Along with Alexandria Alvarez, winner of Miss Indian Nations, the three women make up a trifecta of young Native women committed to educating the ISU community and serving as role models for fellow Native Americans.
“I chose to compete because, to me, it was another leadership role I could take on and a chance for me to represent the tribes the best way I can,” Thomas explained.
Placing an emphasis on traditional knowledge, Thomas said she enjoyed sharing tribal stories about horse-thieving during her competition.
“Our people are actually known for trick riding and their good horsemanship,” she said.
Lee’s cultural competition presentation also focused on the importance of horses in the Navajo culture from which she hails.
“I talked about the horse and what it means to the Navajo people,” said Lee, who also sang a horse song in Navajo. “I talked about what the horse’s eyes, legs, hair and hooves mean.”
Performing in Navajo is a big deal. According to Thomas, there are over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States, most of whom are facing language extinction.
“We hear a lot about our language dying, which is what a lot of indigenous people around the world face, and we’re one of them,” Thomas said of the Shoshoni language.
To combat language extinction, she emphasized the importance of recognizing young people who carry on the language in their families. Despite her own non-fluency in Shoshoni, Thomas said she enjoys speaking with older community members to the extent of her vocabulary.
She said the loss of the Shoshoni language contributes to the perception of Native Americans as a population of the past.
“In history books it appears that Native Americans are no more,” Thomas said. “I think it’s really different, what’s perceived by society and the way we view ourselves because history is taught a lot differently in our homes.”
For both Thomas and Lee, the titles they’ve earned are channels through which they can educate the Pocatello and ISU communities. In spite of the mere eight miles separating Fort Hall from Pocatello, Thomas said she feels many students are unaware of Shoshone-Bannock culture or existence.
“I would say it’s up to more Native American people to put their knowledge out there and let it be known,” said Thomas, encouraging Shoshone-Bannock community members to help non-Natives better understand tribal culture.
For now, Thomas is doing her part by traveling on behalf of her title, while Lee makes sure to attend ISU events to represent Native Americans United.
In April, Thomas will travel to Albuquerque, N.M., to compete in Miss Indian World and further her chances of educating others.
Whether sharing the background of the intricate beadwork decorating their title crowns or discussing the tragedy of language extinction, Lee and Thomas have important messages to spread and it is up to the ISU community to listen.
