
BOZEMAN TRAIL MUSEUM
&
BIG HORN CITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY


The Bozeman Trail Museum
OPEN MAY 28, 2022 - SEPT 5, 2022
SATURDAY 12 TO 4 & SUNDAYS 11 TO 4
{or by appointment}
Open Memorial Day & Labor Day also
​
Meetings held 4th Sunday - Sept through May
@Big Horn Woman's Club
Pot luck lunch @1:00~program @2:00


ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
· SINGLE ADULTS…....$10
· COUPLE/FAMILY…..$20
· BUSINESS....................$20
· ORGANIZATION…....$20
DUES ARE ALWAYS DUE THE 1ST OF SEPTEMBER.
PIONEER FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIPS
​
Please call to order books. Our on-line ordering is not working at this time.
Thank you.
Biographies of MIA Winners
Portraits taken by Don Diers, Archie Nash, Rochford Studios, Ziemer Studios and Grunkemeyer Studios. (Photographs were taken by several different studios. This list might not be complete.)
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Miss Indian America I - 1953
ARLENE WESLEY
Yakama Nation

Miss Indian America II - 1954
MARY LOUISE DEFENDER
Yanktonai

Miss Indian America III - 1955
RITA ANN MCLAUGHLIN
Hunkpapa Lakota

Miss Indian America IV - 1956
SANDRA GOVER
Skidi Pawnee

Miss Indian America V - 1957
RUTH LARSON
Gros Ventre

Miss Indian America VI - 1959
DELORES RACINE
Blackfeet

Miss Indian America VII - 1960
VIVIAN ARVISO
Navajo

Miss Indian America VIII - 1961
BRENDA BEARCHUM
Northern Cheyenne
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Miss Indian America IX - 1962
RAMONA SOTO
Klamath

Miss Indian America X - 1963
WILLAMETTE YOUPEE
Sisseton-Yankton Dakota

Miss Indian America XI - 1964
MICHELE PORTWOOD
Arapaho

Miss Indian America XII - 1965
SHARRON AHTONE HARJO
Kiowa

Miss Indian America XIII - 1966
WAHLEAH LUJAN
Taos Pueblo

Miss Indian America XIV - 1967
SARAH JOHNSON
Navajo

Miss Indian America XV - 1968
THOMASINE HILL
Crow-Pawnee

Miss Indian America XVI - 1969
MARGERY HAURY
Cheyenne-Arapaho-Navajo-Sioux
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Miss Indian America XVII - 1970
VIRGINIA STROUD
Keetoowah Cherokee
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Miss Indian America XVIII - 1971
NORA BEGAY
Navajo

Miss Indian America XIX - 1972
LOUISE EDMO
Shoshone-Bannock

Miss Indian America XX - 1973
MAXINE NORRIS
Papago

Miss Indian America XXI - 1974
CLAIRE MANNING
Shoshone-Paiute

Miss Indian America XXII - 1975
deana jo harragarra
Otoe-Kiowa

Miss Indian America XXIII - 1976
KRISTINE RAYOLA HARVEY
White Mountain Apache

Miss Indian America XXIV - 1977
GRACIE WELCH
Mohave-Chemehuevi-Yavapai

Miss Indian America XXV - 1978
SUSAN ARKEKETA
Otoe-Missouria-Creek
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Miss Indian America XXVI - 1980
MELANIE TALLMADGE
Winnebago-Minnesota Sioux

Miss Indian America XXVII - 1981
JERILYN LEBEAU
Cheyenne River Sioux

Miss Indian America XXVIII - 1982
VIVIAN JUAN
Papago

Miss Indian America XXIX - 1984
DEBORAH SECAKUKU
Hopi

Miss Indian America XXIX - 1984
ANN LOUISE WILLIE
White Mountain Apache-Paiute

Miss Indian America XXX - 1985
JORJA FRANCES OBERLY
Osage-Comanche-Nez Perce

Miss Indian America XXXI - 1986
AUDRA ARVISO
Navajo

Miss Indian America XXXII - 1987
LINDA KAY LUPE
White Mountain Apache

Miss Indian America XXXIII - 1988
BOBETTE KAY WILDCAT
Shoshone

Miss Indian America XXXIV - 1989
WONDA JOHNSON
Navajo
Major Contributors and Organizers
Howard Sinclair,
a Sheridan newspaperman, wrote about the discriminatory policies Native Americans faced in his column, Neckyoke Jones. Sinclair aimed to instill a sense of empathy and understanding among Non-Indians by sharing stories of prejudice and showcasing Native cultural practices. When Lucy Yellowmule won the title of Rodeo Queen in 1951, Sinclair saw the event as an opportunity to expand his mission. He developed a campaign to introduce Yellowmule to business owners and community leaders in Sheridan. Consequently, organizations and businesses began to welcome Native American patrons. Riding off the success of Yellowmule’s campaign, Sinclair and Sheridan leaders organized the first All American Indian Days and Miss America Pageant.
Joe Medicine Crow,
served as a Board Member and Master of Ceremonies at the Miss Indian America Pageant. Within these roles, Medicine Crow emceed competitions, recorded an album entitled “The Story of Miss Indian America,” and revived dancing traditions, including the powwow.
Don Deernose
encouraged Native participation at All American Indian Days by visiting reservations across the country, and extending invitations to tribal leaders. Deernose also served as a chaperone to Miss Indian America winners during their travels across the country.
Susie Yellowtail,
a nurse and cultural ambassador for the Crow Nation, served as a host for several contestants visiting the Crow Nation. Furthermore, Yellowtail acted as a chaperone for Miss Indian America winners throughout their travels.