MY TRIBE BEFORE MYSELF
The fiery sunset melted into dusk over the 33rd Annual Iowa Tribal Powwow as the drum cadence abruptly stopped.
With the heartbeat of the powwow frozen, the master of ceremonies’ voice reverberated over the loud- speaker, filtering through the boisterous chatter around the arena and alerting the spectators that it was time to announce the incoming tribal princess.
Anticipation pierced the crowd as they stood to commemorate the new royalty’s coronation. As her name was revealed, Cydney Atsye glided into the arena. The powwow committee wrapped her in shawl embroidered with the title “The 2018-2019 Miss Iowa Tribal Princess,” and placed a beaded crown on her braids.
This spectacle of sacred tradition and pageantry marks the exchange of a generational baton. As Iowa princess, Atsye will join a linage of proud Native women who serve as the tribe's ambassador to the wider world. During her one-year reign she will travel to powwows and tribal gatherings across the United States to represent her people.
Each tribe has different methods of selecting a tribal princess. Some nations select a princess by a committee. Other tribes select a winner through a pageant. A few tribes vote in tribal royalty.
All American Nation princess roles exist for a singular cause; To encourage Native American women to achieve their personal goals, build character, enhance self-esteem, and develop leadership skills through tribal service. These women to give a dynamic range to a stereotyped culture.
Atsye’s role has a modern layer of complexity in the the urban landscape of Oklahoma. Contemporary Indian life is resilient in modern-day America, but detachment from tradition is gradual disease plaguing younger American Indian generations. Tribal tradition has become all the more significant because of its fragility.
“Being princess is about passing down traditions,” Atsye, LagunaPueblo, Otoe-Missouria Ponca and Iowa citizen, said. “It’s about keeping those traditions alive. I feel like lately with our generation, our traditions are being lost. Our elders are passing away and they can’t always teach us our ways. I believe royalty can help with that. A royalty title can help uphold traditions and inspire others to do the same.”
Tribal princesses are held to rigorous scrutiny. She symbolizes her culture’s inheritance of beauty and profound spirituality as native people grapple with a complex and painful history. Her role comes with expectations.
A tribal princess must never smack on gum in the arena. She must stand up straight. She can not date and must be chaperoned at all times. She must have profound knowledge of her tribe's traditions, history, ancestors and culture.
For as long as she holds her title, her actions reflect her entire tribe, so she must be above reproach.
The reputation for a nation is not only a powerful responsibility, but also the highest honor given only to a woman who is dedicated to the cultural well-being of her tribe. Few understand the pressure of a title better than Iowa, Otoe-Missouria and Sac & Fox citizen Shayla Miller. She has dedicated one-third of her life to serving as a tribal princess and has held seven titles.
“Being a princess is about thinking about your people before yourself,” Miller said. “You are a servant to your people.”
Miller started in the powwow world as an unwilling southern cloth dancer. She grudgingly adorned her regalia in the oppressive heat before she’d shuffle to the dance arena for grand entry at her grandmother’s request.
Outside the arena, Miller was awestruck with the tribal princesses. These graceful American Indian women led grand entry. Each princess attentively served as a role model to the young women in the tribe. They gave her an ideal to strive for.
Miller pushed her way through the powwow crowd’s spiritual chaos and jangling energy back to her family camp. She declared to her grandmother that she aspired to be a Tribal princess. A year later, Miller was awarded her first title.
“I always think about what my grandmother told me when I first started,” Miller said. “She said ‘Do as you would if I was right there.’ I always think about that. You don’t want to say or do anything that’s going to disappoint your family or your people.”
Holding a title is a family affair. A princess’ family helps with her travel, regalia, and giveaways. Generational teamwork welcomes a young woman into the ranks of royalty.
An hour before grand entry Danelle Springer, incoming Miss Iowa Tribal Princess 2013-2014, clutched her regalia as she bulldozed through her suitcase hunting for her skirt. Every generation in her family has held a title since 1963. Her crowning was a rite of passage, and she forgot to pack her skirt.
“We’re in Perkins, and we live on the other side of Stillwater,” Springer said. “It’s at least an hour trip. I told my dad, and my uncle said ‘Don’t worry. We will get your skirt and be back.’ Sure enough, they got back in like forty minutes.”
Disaster averted, Springer sashayed across arena with all the poise of her princess predecessors. She is a hint of something sharply from the past who will take tradition into the future. Four generations of tribal princess guided her to make her reign possible. Her family and an entire people stand behind her.
Former princesses often mentor novice title holders. Otoe-Missouria former royalty founded network with other Native woman who share a collective vision inspire young women to pursue the title of Otoe-Missouria Tribal Princess. This princess sorority distinguishes former princesses’ service and supports future princesses. Verona Deer, who served as 1992 Otoe-Missouria tribal princess, was a founding member of the sorority.
“We can carry on a legacy that seems to be dissipating,” Deer Said. “So few young ladies are eligible for this role and something needed to be done, something to recognize those who are interested and encourage them to seek the role of Tribal Princess.”
American Indian royalty sustains culture as constant as a powwow drumbeat. Tribal Princesses carry on the irresistible rhythm that pounds into younger generations reverence for their Native heritage.
