A young woman from Six Nations is running for Miss Indian World at this year’s Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Summer John is a member of the Wolf Clan of the Cayuga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. This April, she will compete with young indigenous women from across the Americas in public speaking, traditional presentations, dance and a written essay to determine who will take the ambassador role and the crown for 2015-2016.
John is a Grade Two teacher at Oliver M. Smith Kawenni:io Elementary School on Six Nations of the Grand River.
There have been a number of Haudenosaunee competitors for Miss Indian World since its beginning. Two Six Nations women have carried the title; Tia Smith (Schindler) in 2002-2003 and Dakota Brant from 2010-2011. Another Haudenosaunee young lady, Cassie Thomas of the Seneca Nation, held the title in 2005-2006.
In 2013, two other Haudenosaunee competitors – Brittany Clause and Jesse Brant – held the first and second runner-up titles.
One of the requirements for participating in the Miss Indian World pageant is that each competitor must sell raffle tickets. If you would like to support Summer’s journey to become Miss Indian World, you can purchase tickets from her. There are 18 prizes, including a $100 Amex gift card, Men’s Pendleton shoes, a turquoise and amethyst necklace set, a Child Star blanket and more.
Tickets are $2.50 Canadian and $2.00 American. You can contact Summer or her family for tickets by emailing summer.john23@gmail.com. Cash and email transfers will be accepted.