MISSION, SD – Tashina Red Hawk, Sicangu Lakota, was crowned Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations event in Albuquerque, NM.
Red Hawk, whose Lakota name is Anpetu Yuonihan Win (Honors The Day Woman), is from the Red Thunder community on the Rosebud reservation and the daughter of Shane and Noella Red Hawk.
The Miss Indian World event has been the most culturally prestigious pageants for several decades for young Native women. When selected they represent Native American and first nation’s tribal culture. There were 23 contestants from tribal nations, and they participated in a weeklong activities of ideas, speeches, traditions, all seeking the title.
For her traditional talent, Red Hawk sang a Lakota song from her great great grandmother’s ceremonial songs, discussed bead work and horse culture, and put on a bow-and-arrow demonstration. She also won awards for best essay and best personal interview.
During the same week, she and her horse, Tokala, won Best of Show in the Horse and Rider Regalia Parade.
Born in Oregon, Tashina and her family returned to the Rosebud, living on her great great grandmother’s land on the Little White River. Tradition, heritage, family and culture is central to her upbringing. As is education. After graduating from Todd County High School as a Distinguished Scholar, she will begin her sophomore year this fall at South Dakota State University (she completed her freshman year while still in high school) to study veterinarian science.
Previously, she has been named Miss Rosebud Rodeo and as South Dakota High School Rodeo Queen. Among her goals are to compete in Miss Rodeo South Dakota.
She believes that leading and serving go hand in hand. She received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House for her work with the US Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots. Over the past several years, she’s helped pass out presents to 0ver 15,000 youth on and around her reservation
