61st Miss Indian Arizona 2022-2023 Sistine Lewis
Sistine Lewis, representing the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, was crowned the 61 st Miss Indian Arizona on October 8, 2022. She is the 20-year-old daughter of Cecelia & the late Knute Lewis and the fourth member of the Community to hold the title of Miss Indian Arizona.
Sistine is in the honors program at Scottsdale Community College in a concurrent enrollment program which allows her to graduate with both an Associate Degree and Bachelor's Degree at Arizona State University. She is working toward a Nursing Degree and hopes to become a Labor and Delivery Nurse.
At the age of 5 she joined the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Traditional Dance Group and has traveled to many events around Arizona with the group. Sistine has spent time and energy on learning to speak O'odham and Piipaash and creating O'odham & Piipaash dresses.
Painting, drawing and spending time with her family and dogs is what makes Sistine happy at the end of the day. She also dreams of traveling the world.
As Miss Indian Arizona, Sistine will promote culture amongst youth. She states: "Our youth are the next generation. I would love to get all youth on and off the reservations involved in their culture".
Sistine will now face a rigorous year of travel to many Arizona Indian reservations and special appearances at various schools, pow-wows, and other state events. She will also travel to several out of state events. In addition to this schedule, she is expected to maintain her school attendance which will be very challenging. The Miss Indian Arizona Association's philosophy is that education is a very high priority.
Lehua Lani Dosela from the Gila River Indian Community was selected 1 st Attendant to Miss Indian Arizona. She is the 22-year-old daughter of Arvis & the late Lorraine Dosela. She is a student at Mesa Community College where she is working toward her Associate's Degree in Fire Science. She plans to continue her education at Arizona State University to obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Emergency Management. Lehua Lani's desire is to return to her Community as a firefighter and educate the youth on the importance of fire safety.
Lehua Lani enjoys designing earrings to bead, sewing traditional O'odham dresses and shirts. She sings and loves learning O'odham songs so she can teach her younger siblings and nephews.
The Essay, Talent & Oral presentation awards were all won by Lehua Lani. Her platform is to promote the importance of learning traditional teachings in our ever-changing world.
2nd Attendant to Miss Indian Arizona is Emile Eich from the Navajo Tribe. She is the 25-year-old daughter of Tom and Ameila Eich. Emile also received the Bet Evening Wear Award. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychological Science with University Honors from Northern Arizona University. She is pursuing a Master's of Science in Program Evaluation and data Analytics from Arizona State University.
The outdoors & wilderness is where Emile enjoys being at the most. Her hobbies include rock climbing, sewing, backpacking, paddle boarding and she recently started mountain biking.
Her platform is to support the physical health and mental well-being of Native Americans though reconnections with our traditional lands. Her goal is to support the ever-evolving relationship between Indigenous Peoples and our homelands through access to outdoor recreational activities.
The People's Choice award went to Maria Pablo from Tohono O'odham Nation.
Kaitlyn Dillion from the San Carlos Apache Tribe was selected as Miss Congeniality by the other participant.
The Community Service Award went to Cheyanne Begay from the Navajo Nation.
The Miss Indian Arizona Association congratulates all the winners and extends sincere thanks to all the participants and their parents. We look forward to working with the 2022-2023 Miss Indian Arizona Court during the year of their reign.
The Miss Indian Arizona Association congratulates all the winners and extents sincere thanks to all the participants and their parents.
