GRIC Models Shines at the 4th Annual Indigenous Fashion Show in Chandler

December 12, 2025

Jeston Morris

Community Newsperson

CHANDLEER, Ariz. — The Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) Indigenous Education Program hosted the 4th Annual Indigenous Fashion Show on Nov. 25 at the Chandler Center for the Arts.

Lt. Gov. Regina Antone, Council Representative Nada Celaya, Native designer Tammy Histia, and several Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) models shined throughout the evening.

According to Antonette Shirley, student engagement specialist at CUSD, the fashion show celebrates Native American tribal heritage by giving K–12 students the opportunity to showcase their traditional regalia and share their unique fashion stories.

The event promotes cultural awareness, community connection and student achievement across the district. This year’s show drew 32 student models and 172 attendees. Participants represented the 22 Arizona tribes as well as tribal nations from across the country. Students were eager to share their fashion with the Chandler community. The Indigenous Education Program (IEP) supports Native American students across CUSD’s 53 campuses. The program incorporates culture expression, including fashion, as tools for student engagement. The annual fashion show is free and open to the public.

Students described the show as a bridge between their ancestral homelands and their urban lives. The event is multi-generational, often involving grandparents, parents and children. Jewelry is passed down from mother to daughter or father to son, and many regalia pieces feature family designs carried through generations.

The purpose of the fashion show is to share Native fashion discourse with surrounding communities. Students perform as models, presenting their traditional regalia on the runway. The experience helps them build confidence, posture and leadership skills essential for the 21st century.

IEP partnered with three Native designers: Tammy Histia (Gila River Indian Community), Esther Nystrom (Navajo/Anglo) and Mary Allen Manuel (Apache).

Shirley delivered the welcome remarks, and Collin Melvin, a sophomore at Basha High School, served as master of ceremonies.“I am honored to welcome you to the 4th Annual Chandler Unified School District Indigenous Fashion Show. Our student models range from kindergarten to 12th grade,” Shirley said.

Melvin added, “The theme for Native American Heritage Month is revitalizing Indigenous connection and honoring culture and tradition. Reflect on Native American heritage and celebrate the strength of Indigenous cultures.”

Hamilton High School’s all-female Native American Color Guard presented the colors for the national anthem, followed by a Native land acknowledgment video.

The Wolf Pack Singers opened the show with an honor song. Members Ivan Peña and Patrick Dehose shared their reflections.

“It’s an honor to be invited to the fashion show. Drumming and singing are good medicine. It’s good to be part of the community and the school district,” said Peña, a member of the Taino Tribe of the Dominican Republic.

“We sing intertribal songs. Drumming and singing show Native youth that our culture is alive and thriving,” said Dehose, a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

GRIC Student Models

Cynnia Francisco, a kindergartner at San Tan Elementary, was the first GRIC contestant. She wore a purple ribbon skirt, a light blue-ribbon blouse and a seashell necklace. Her escort read her outfit description, noting that her sunflower design reflects her O’odham name and symbolizes strength from the rising sun.

Owen and Lucas Jackson introduced themselves in the O’odham language. Their ribbon shirts represented the cardinal directions and elements of nature.

Syndel Preston, Akimel O’odham and Hopi, wore a white ribbon shirt made by his grandmother. He said embracing culture is important because “it defines who I am at heart.”

Sierra Preston, also GRIC, wore a maroon satin dress with a silver water-flow design. Her grandmother explained that water is central to O’odham identity, survival and sovereignty.

Models from many tribal nations participated, including Kiowa, Hopi, Navajo, Apache and Pueblo students.

Featured Designers

Histia, a GRIC and Pueblo designer, presented pieces ranging from traditional casual wear to executive formal attire. Her designs draw inspiration from desert landscapes, animals, water and sunrise and sunset. Her ten models ranged from toddlers to elders. Councilwoman Representative Nada Celaya modeled alongside two youth, and Lt. Gov. Antone modeled an executive-style outfit featuring the man-in-the-maze design.

“I see Native fashion changing rapidly due to social media,” Histia said. “Our fashion evolved from simple Pima cotton dresses to vibrant satin dresses. I hope young designers revitalize O’otham designs in the future.”

Apache designer Mary Allen Manuel showcased her two-tier camp dresses. “I enjoy making traditional camp dresses for ceremonies. For this show, I made five,” she said.

Navajo/Anglo designer Esther SóYazhí Nystrom of Bitter Water Design debuted three outfits, including a man-in-the-maze ribbon shirt and a másání gothic ensemble with arrowhead pockets.

“The future of Native American fashion is innovation—new styles and hybrid designs of traditional and contemporary,” Nystrom said.

The evening concluded with a question and answer session with the designers and a closing song by the Wolf Pack Singers.