It is hard to believe it has been a whole year. Tonight I will turn over Miss WEIO crown to a new lady that will carry on the tradition of 50 ladies that came before me.
Here are some photos from the event. It has been so fun to return as Miss WEIO! More soon!
Most Traditional trophy in hand with a sprinkling of sunburn and lack of sleep, Ciugun Kelsey Wallace and family departed Albuquerque this morning.
Last night after leaving the event we were joined by Grandma Shirley, Becky Maloy and her Auntie Linda and her daughter Angela and Mary Moses for a great time at the Famous Frontier restaurant. If you ever go to Albuquerque, it’s a must stop!
While we were eating I got a call from Kathy Hanson who put us on speakerphone with a group of well wishers in Bethel. Everyone was very encouraging and it was so nice to hear from Alaskans.
Right now we are in Phoenix waiting to head to Alaska.
Quyana cakneq tamarpeci!
Kelsey and all of us would like to congratulate Jessa Rae Growing Thunder on winning then 2012 Miss Indian World Pageant. We would also like to congratulate all of the participants. All of the contestants will travel with us in fond memories. Kelsey will write up a post Pageant letter after, but we actually have to pack and get to the airport.
To all of our supporters we would like to express our sincere gratitude for all your well wishes and kind words.
From Kelsey-
Winning most traditional is very meaningful to me. I brought our Yup’ik culture to the national stage. Im honored to be able to bring this award home. My culture and my pride in my people was carried with me as well as the spirits of my ancestors during my performance. I am super tired and will be able to express myself after a bit of rest.
Many thanks to everyone! Quyana Cakneq tamarpeci. Kenkamci.
Photos will be posted soon.
There is still much work to do as Miss WEIO- so stay tuned. 🙂
More soon
We just arrived at the Pit. I’ll post the results as soon as we know something with my phone.
Here are today’s Grand Entry Photos. It was a virtual Sea of Feathers and Fur! So beautiful as the floor danced.
Kelsey is in good spirits, yet she knows the competition is very tough and anything can happen. I talked with her this afternoon and she said she was proud to have represented her State and her People. “It was a great experience! Just being here is the reward.”
She looked beautiful this afternoon for Grand Entry wearing Letha Chimegalria’s Atkuk. It was the same one that she wore during WEIO. This evening she will be wearing the Chuna White Atkuk.
Wish her luck!
Like Chuna told her– “You have already won! At this point you are the Queen of Yupikdom.”
She represented her people and her State in fine fashion and we are very proud of her!
Go Kelsey!!
Friday Evening’s Grand Entry was the prelude to the Dance Competitions for Miss Indian World. Amazingly the pit was even more crowded. We figured out why they call it the “Pit” It is a basketball stadium dug into the ground. It holds more than 20000 people when full and the seats are steep toward the arena. From the top you down to the stadium floor.
Kelsey was wearing Chuna’s white rabbit parka and ecoutrements from him as well. It was an amazing time!
The Speech Presentations were held at Stage 49, an outdoor venue. It was great to see so many Alaskans at the event. In fact, I would venture to guess that the Alaska crowd outnumbered the other groups. We were honored to have Sen. Albert Kookesh in attendance with us as well. As soon as the session was completed in Juneau, he hopped on a jet to get to Gathering of Nations.
What an event! The stadium was filled with dancers. They bring the Grand Entry with the Chiefs and dignitaries from the Nations. Then Dancers arrive from each direction North South East West. The people dance around in a circle as streams of people enter the whirlpool of people. It was simply amazing to watch. I thought it was crowded, but then as you will see later, the Evening session was even MORE crowded. The regalia was unbelievable! Tribes from all corners of the Continent- Canada, U.S., and Mexico. The Miss Indian World contestants were beautiful. Kelsey was wearing Agnes McIntire’s squirrel parka made by Chuna with head regalia from Chuna as well. Beautiful!!
An awesome video!
Today will be a super busy day!
12:00pm Grand Entry – If you are going – Be there at 10-10:30
Right after- Impromptu Speeches (1 min)
This Evening- Grand Entry
Dance Competition
Ends at 10-12pm if on schedule.
Tomorrow (Saturday) is up early for crowning practice. Then Grand Entry, Crowning at 7pm, and then the PowWow completes.
Check in Sunday at 11am for the flight to Alaska!
It’s going to be busy
The 2012 Talent Presentations were really amazing! It all started actually in the afternoon. People started lining up for the door opening around 3pm for a 6pm door opening! Auntie Theresa and Floyd were there early and a really awesome thing happened. I said to Theresa, “I hear there are even more Alaskans than I thought.” A lady next to me said, “Yeah.” I asked her where she was from and lo and behold she was a relation to Floyd and Theresa! Her uncle and Floyd had gone to school at Mt. Edgecumbe years ago and hadn’t seen each other for many years! It was a special meeting.
The doors finally opened and as everyone seated, Alfred and I setup for shooting the event. The show got underway at 7pm with an short show with the local tribe and a tribesman from New Zealand, who are visiting the event. Then the contestant presentations started! It was awesome to see all of the different regalia, customs, and languages presented.
Kelsey is number 27, so she was second to the last in the order. Waiting in the wings, so to speak, was also Sheila. As you will see, it was an awesome event. Afterwards Kelsey was greeted by many well wishers and family. It was a very special event.
Here are the photos- There are a bunch, but well worth the time to see all that happened! Video soon to be uploaded of Kelsey’s performance!
Kelsey has been at the showroom since 8am this morning for rehearsals and such. Unfortunately they weren’t able to rehearse until this afternoon, but excitement is building for the show. Sheila got to the set at 12pm as she will rehearse with Kelsey once as well.
Grandma Wallace, Karole Kohl, Becky Maloy, Theresa, Floyd, and Mary Moses, as well as a group from our area are planning to attend.
Alfred and I are readying for the filming and photography to bring you action from the stage. Unfortunately several groups cannot be filmed, so we will do what we can to bring you the flavor of the event!
Wish Kelsey Luck!! I know I do!!
–John Wallace
Out of 16 total prizes, 3 names from our raffle tickets won prizes!!
We sold 3300 tickets for a total of $6600 that we were able to raise for Miss Indian World. Kelsey got $660 back for expenses but the big surprise is that the top two contestants who sold over 3000 tickets each will get an all expenses paid cruise later in the year!
We are so thankful to everyone who participated in the raffle. Quyana for your help!
Today was the official registration day for Miss Indian World 2012. Kelsey and the contestants and chaperones arrived early to register and officially begin the Pageant. There are 28 contestants from around the nation and they all looked lovely in their regalia. We met girls and chaperones from Canada as well as many of the tribes in the Lower 48.
As we walked into the hall, who should we see but Yup’ik people!! There is a conference going on and we ran into several friendly faces from our region. They all are going to be at the Talent event, so we have a CHEERING SECTION!! Grandma Wallace is in town as well as Kelsey’s Auntie Theresa and her family. We are grateful for everyone in attendance!
After registration, where the girls officially signed in and got their number, the tickets and ticket money were turned over to the Miss Indian World pageant. Team Ciugun did GREAT! Our official total was 3300 tickets sold. We missed being first by 40 tickets, by a contestant from California. Considering our challenge of remoteness and a large State, we did outstanding!! Thank you to everyone that participated! Your ticket purchase allows the contest to continue each year. 10% of the ticket sales was returned to Kelsey which will be used to cover part of the travel expenses for the contest.
After the registration and introduction of organizers, chaperones were asked to leave so the contest could begin. The first event, a personal interview with questions, was held immediately following the registration. As number 27, Kelsey is next to last in each event. After the event Kelsey was upbeat and needed one thing after they were released for a break– A NAP!!
Later in the evening, the contestants gathered together for dinner with just the organizers and contestants to get to know one another. The drawing was also held, but we will post the winning names in a separate post. Out of 16 possible winners, Team Ciugun is responsible for 3 winners!!
Tomorrow is a big day getting ready for the Talent presentations, so Kelsey is resting now so she is ready as ready can be! Good Luck Kelsey!!
Here are today’s photos!
Kelsey checked into the Hard Rock Hotel in Albuquerque and attended the orientation for contestants this evening marking the opening of the Pageant. A total of 28 contestants from around the country and Canada are competing for the title. Tomorrow starts at 8am sharp. Kelsey will turn in the tickets and also have her personal interview. The schedule is very busy and all of the girls will have their work cut out for them. Here are some photos of the check in!
