Miss Indian America archive, 1945-1984, bulk 1950s

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Summary

Title:
Miss Indian America archive
Dates:
1945-1984, bulk 1950s
Creators:
Brayer, Herbert Oliver
Abstract:
The Miss Indian America archive contains materials pertaining to the Miss Indian America pageant held during All American Indian Days in Sheridan, Wyoming from 1954 to 1984. This pageant was envisioned as an alternative to the Miss America pageant. Contestants in both pageants were young, unmarried women who represented their land of orign. Miss America contestants represented their home states and Miss Indian America contestants represented their tribe. The pageants were very similar and contestants in both demonstrated their talents onstage. Miss Indian America contestants did not wear swimsuits but instead wore traditional tribal dresses. The winner of the Miss Indian America pageant embarked on a speaking tour in order to gain awareness for a charity of her choice and also met with the winner of the Miss America pageant. The Miss Indian America pageant was one of the main events of the American Indian Days which celebrated tribal traditions and events over the course of three days.
Extent:
2.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes: 3 archival boxes and 2 flat boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Miss Indian America archive (M0810). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

The Miss Indian America archive consists of five boxes of materials. Included are photographs of both the Miss Indian America pageant and the All American Indian Days events which took place in Sheridan, Wyoming. The contestants' applications and multiple judges' notes are also included in the collection. Herbert O. Brayer, the creator of this collection was heavily involved in the pageant's organization, and the collection includes his writings, correspondence and newspaper clippings about his research on the Old West. Also included are tourism brochures, event schedules and programs of the All American Indian Days. Of note is a record of Indian tribal songs, prints by Randy Steffan and informational brochures designed for Native American children.

Along with materials about the Miss Indian America pageant are clippings, programs and photographs from the Miss America pageant from 1954- 1956.

Acquisition information:
This collection was purchased by Stanford University, Special Collections in 1995.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Monika Lehman
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2017-04-27 08:50:25 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

In the 1950s Sheridan, Wyoming resembled Jim Crow-era South with tensions between the Native American population and the white residents. In 1952, a young Crow Indian girl named Lucy Yellow Mule was selected as the Sheridan-WYO- Rodeo Queen leading to a movement to improve the relationships among the community members of Sheridan. Sheridan also won two awards the "Silver Anvil" National Honor Award and the George Washington Honor Medal Freedom Foundaton of Valley Forge Pennsylvania for promoting better understanding and tolerance between races. From these two awards, All American Indian Days was established. The event was intended to preserve Indian rituals, tribal games, clothing, art, language and stories.

The Miss Indian America Pageant began in 1954 as part of the All American Indian Days and was held each year in Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1984, the pageant moved to Bismarck, North Dakota where it was held until the mid- 1990s. The pageant was intended to select someone who would be a good public relations representative for the Native American community. Miss Indian America must be someone "dedicated to the cultural well-being of tribe, she must have a comprehensive knowledge of her people and be dedicated to their advancement. She must have the appearance, personality and poise to represent her people in the white community." The winner of the pageant spent a year traveling around the United States speaking about her tribe and Native American issues.

The contestants were unmarried women between the ages of 16 and 25. They were asked to wear traditional costumes including headdresses and feathers even if these accessories were not part of contestant's tribal outfit and present a talent. Each contestant also gave a personal gift to her sponsor. Most of the judges were white throughout the pageant's history.

Seavey, C. (2012, October 29). All- American Days are Gone. Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved from http://trib.com/news/local/casper/answergirl/all-american-indian-days.

Zhorow, I. (2013, July 12). Years Later, Miss Indian America Pageant Winners Reunite. WRUR.org. Retrieved from http://wrur.org/post/years-later-miss-indian-america-pageant-winners-reunite.

Kozol, W. (2005). Miss Indian America: Regulatory Gazes and the Politics of Affiliation. Feminist Studies, 31. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20459007.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], Miss Indian America archive (M0810). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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