Former Miss Gila River Participates in Miss Indian Arizona

Novembeer 07, 2025

Emma Hughes

Community Newsperson

Six contestants, including former Miss Gila River 2024-2025 Susanna Osife from District 2, competed in the 64th annual Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program, held on Oct. 11 at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

This year’s theme, “Honoring the Tenacious 22 Tribes of Arizona Persisting for an Influential Future,” celebrates the role young women play in their tribal communities.

Sialik King from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community was crowned Miss Indian Arizona, alongside 1st Attendant Chloe Eskey from the Navajo Nation and 2nd Attendant Hannah Nockideneh, also from the Navajo Nation. Since its founding in 1961, the Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program has provided young Indigenous women across Arizona with a meaningful platform that combines cultural pride, academic goals, leadership, and community service. Through talent and oral presentation segments, traditional dress and formal wear, personal interviews, and scholarship awards, the program prepares participants to serve as ambassadors of their tribal communities and Indigenous youth overall.

The Gila River Indian Community was proudly represented by Susanna Osife, who was escorted by Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis. In her talent segment, she showcased traditional clothing and demonstrated the process from natural cotton to a woman’s wraparound dress, a beautiful representation of culture.

The other contestants included Kiyasha Harvey of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and Marilyn Lomayesva from the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The Miss Indian Arizona Scholarship Program remains a strong platform for young Indigenous women in the state, emphasizing culture, education, service, and leadership. Contestants like Osife remind us that success in these competitions isn’t just about winning the crown; it’s about stepping into a space of representation, sharing your story, honoring your tribe’s traditions, and using the platform to serve your community. Her dedication highlights that the journey itself is valuable.