Editor, Daily Press:
I recently attended the Junior Miss/Miss Keetoowah pageant. I had never been to an American Indian tribal pageant, so I figured I would research the Keetoowah tribe to educate myself before I attended. I was amazed at how traditional the Keetoowahs are and what pride they take in that.
Unfortunately, my expectations of an American Indian tribal pageant had me questioning how traditional they are supposed to be.
Junior Miss Keetoowah was very traditional. Both girls knew a lot about their heritage, whereas the Miss Keetoowas had me shocked.
The first contestant’s platform was on keeping your traditions and her talent was traditional shell-shaking. The platform of the second contestant, the winner, was on special education and her talent was playing Beethoven on a keyboard.
Both girls did a beautiful job. I just thought the Keetoowah tribe would have picked the contestant who had been more traditional and had knowledge of the heritage.
Kaitlin Smith
Tahlequah
