• Mother: Red Bottom People (Tl'aashchí'í)
• Father: African American (Zhin-ni)
• Grandfather: Mexican People (Naakaii Dine'e)
• Nalii: African American (Zhin-ni)

www.navajoland.com

My name is Radmilla Cody. I am of the Red Bottom People clan. Born for the African Americans. My maternal grandfathers clan is the Mexican clan. My paternal is the African Americans. I am 46th Miss Navajo Nation.

I am 21 years old and I grew up in Grand Falls which is about 15 miles East of Leupp. Here my grandmother raised me herding sheep, weaving rugs, and speaking the Navajo language being that was our source of communication. I dealt with a lot growing up half black and half Navajo. I was a 1993 graduate of Coconino High School in Flagstaff, Arizona.

On September, 6,1997, I was crowned Miss Navajo Nation 1997-98. The pageant was one week long and consisted of four competition categories as follows:

• Panel Judging - - Where traditional questions were asked as well as current issues.
• Traditional Competition - Where we had to perform a traditional talent and skill.
• Contemporary Competition - Performed a contemporary talent and skill.
• Traditional Foods - Which included the Frybread competition and the Butchering competition which is a very important part of the culture of the Dine' People.

My goals throughout my reign include working very closely with the youth, parents and elders. The youth because they are the perserverance of who we are as Dine' people. The parents because they are the role models and communicators within the home. The elders because they are valuable resources and the roots of our people. I also advocate for many programs that involve much concern towards the following issues and more. Child Abuse/Neglect, Elderly Abuse/Neglect, Domestic Violence, Gang Activity, Natural Resources and Alcoholism/Substance Abuse.

Many issues such as these face the Navajo people today. And, it is my job to help the community, youth and the Nation as a whole. And through my experiences, I have learned to be a very strong, proud Dine' woman and stand up for myself and what I believe in.

May each and every of you stay strong, proud and live in harmony. God Bless you all.

Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - Music Maker Edition: Radmilla Cody: Growing up on the Navajo reservation, little Radmilla Cody would sing at the top of her lungs to her grandmother's herd of sheep. Today, she is called upon to perform at conferences, major league sporting events, and other Native and non-Native events. Her second album, Seed of Life, draws from her traditional background, from the strength and teachings her grandmother instilled in her, and her patriotism for America to bring us a unique compilation of songs in the Dine' language, including her version of "God Bless America" and "America the Beautiful."

Dream...
and as you dream,
remember that only you can
make your dreams come true.
Reach...
and as you reach, remember that success
takes time, devotion, and sometimes
a little disappoinment.
Believe...
and as you believe, you will find reaching
gets easier, setbacks get manageable,
life becomes more meaningful.
There is a wonderful dream waiting just
for you... Know you can make it come true.
Miss Navajo Nation 1997-98,
Radmilla Cody

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