Mohawk Woman Earns Miss Indian World Title
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Raven Swamp, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, Quebec, was crowned 2017 Miss Indian World at the 34th Annual Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque this weekend. Swamp received the honor out of 23 American Indian women who competed in the areas of tribal knowledge, dancing ability, public speaking, and personality assessment.
“Miss Indian World is one of the most prestigious honors in the Native American and Indigenous world and the winner will serve as a role model for all Native Americans. Raven will travel the world educating others about tribal and cultural traditions, and bring together native and indigenous people,” said Melonie Mathews, coordinator of the Miss Indian World Pageant.
Swamp will travel to many Native and Indigenous communities around the world on behalf of the GON powwow. She is the daughter of Trina Moses and Donald Swamp. As Miss Indian World, she will represent Native and Indigenous people as a cultural goodwill ambassador for one year.
Mykhal Mendoza, from Whiteriver, Arizona and citizen of the White Mountain Apache and Navajo tribes was named first runner-up at the pageant. Shanley Spence, 24-years old from Winnipeg, Manitoba and citizen of the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabe tribes was named second runner-up at the pageant.