GRIC Member Competes in Ms. Indigenous ASU Pageant

Emma Hughes

Gila River Indian News

TEMPE, Ariz. — Evelyn “Evie” Enos from District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community was recently named Ms. Indigenous ASU 1st Attendant. The coronation took place during the ASU Pow Wow on April 18 at the Desert Financial Arena.

10 contestants competed for the titles of Mr. and Ms. Indigenous ASU at the 47th annual pageant on April 17 at the ASU Desert Arboretum. The event included formal introductions, both professional and traditional attire, and a talent segment.

At the coronation, Candice Joe (Navajo) was announced as 2026-2027 Ms. Indigenous ASU, with Enos honored as 1st Attendant. Zach Ander Thomas (Navajo) received the title of 2026-2027 Mr. Indigenous ASU, and Wyndell Slim (Navajo) was named 1st Attendant.

Mr. and Ms. Indigenous ASU, along with their attendants, act as ambassadors for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students at ASU. They represent the university at cultural events on campus and across Indian Country.

Reflecting on the honor, Enos said, “I am so proud to represent my community at the collegiate level and at an institution on ancestral O’odham jeved. I hope to give back to my community in meaningful and lasting ways.”

Enos is the daughter of Anika Evans and Barney Enos. She attends ASU, where she majors in biological sciences and minors in American Indian studies and psychology.

“Being crowned as 1st attendant to our Ms. Indigenous ASU 2026-2027 Candice Joe is such an honor,” Enos said. “The amount of joy I felt being in the powwow arena with all of our contestants; I felt like I was surrounded by love and light.”

Enos received her sash from the outgoing 1st Attendant, Kaitlyn Yazzie (Navajo). “She was a big help in our preparation for the pageant, and I was happy to get to know her more, not even knowing that I’d be filling her shoes.”

She added, “I sometimes go back and forth of thinking that it was just by chance that I got this position, but I have to remind myself that I also worked hard to be here and to not discredit my own work.”

Enos first wanted to run for Ms. Indigenous ASU as a freshman. She saw it as a way to connect with the Native community at ASU and to step out of her comfort zone.

Her platform focuses on empowering Native youth and encouraging them to reach their goals through community action and collaboration. She said the court is excited to organize events such as food drives, community gatherings, and garden-based activities that help revitalize tradition and bring Indigenous people together.

For the modern talent portion of the pageant, Enos performed “Summertime” by jazz singer Billie Holiday. She chose this song to honor the legacy of women in music and jazz trombonist and fellow GRIC member Russell “Big Chief” Moore.

“I learned so much about the work and resilience behind these artists. It made me very proud to sing in their honor,” she said.

For her traditional talent, she sang the O’odham song “Whodonig ñei.” She explained that it tells the story of a singer who dreams that, in the evening, the songs begin to rise from the ground like water. “This song is very special to me as it reminds me of the smoke that rises from the fire when we would have cu:dk at Aji mountain and dance under the stars.”