• Hometown:
  Cedar Ridge, Arizona
• Age during reign:
• Education: Page HS, Dixie College, Elementary Education
• Clans:
  • Nishli: Ma'iideeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass People)
  • Bashishchiin: Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House People)
  • Dashichei: Tsi’naajinii (Black Streaked Wood People)
  • Dashinali: Tl’aashcii (Red Cheek People)

My name is Jannalee Atcitty, I was the reigning Miss Navajo Nation 2004-2005. I am of the “Coyote Pass Clan” (Ma’iideeshgiizhnii), born for the Towering House Clan (Kinyaa’aanii), my maternal clan is The Black Streaked Wood People (Tsi’naajinii), and my paternal clan is Red Cheek People (Tl’aashcii).

My family briefly lived in California when I was about 4 or 5 years old, but I was mostly raised in Cedar Ridge, AZ. I am the oldest of four siblings; I have two younger brothers, and two younger sisters.

My family has always been a part of my life and was involved in molding me into the person I am today. My family taught me to appreciate education and enjoy all the wonderful blessings of being an educated woman in society today.

I am a graduate of Page High School in Page, AZ. I have also attended Dixie State College in St. George, Utah majoring in Elementary Education. My future plans include attending graduate school at BYU Provo or BYU Hawaii. I am also interested in obtaining a degree in Civil Engineering.

My Recent accomplishments include Miss Indian Dixie at Dixie College in the year 2000-2001; also I had the opportunity as the reigning Miss Western Navajo representing the Western Agency of the Navajo Nation.

As Miss Navajo Nation, I am working closely with the elderly, veterans, and the Navajo children. I believe that in order to preserve our culture and language, we have to preserve the foundation which is the elderly. I believe they hold the key to our past in which they offer a window into our future as a people. I always have a strong belief that our language is very sacred and it should be handled with respect and care.

I would like to thank the veterans for protecting our culture, and language. Also for giving us the freedom of speech so we can utilize the language to the best of our ability. With this, I ask you to remember our soldiers, and pray for their safety as well as their return.

I have experience many things as I have traveled across Navajo land, I’ve met many different people, and I will always be grateful for every blessing from the creator, and the holy people. May you continue to walk and live in beauty. Ahe’hee!

Threat hampers pageant Atcitty earns right to wear Miss Navajo Nation crown Jannalee Atcitty, 24 of Cedar Ridge is crowned 2004 Miss Navajo Nation by outgoing queen Marla Billey. (Photo by Jerry Wilson/Independent)   By Pamela G. Dempsey Diné Bureau WINDOW ROCK — Miss Navajo Nation 2004-2005 had no doubts about her performance this week. "I was prepared for it," said Jannalee Atcitty, who was crowned Friday night. "Everything went how I planned ... (although) I learned a few new things about butchering." The crowds poured in quickly and cheered loudly as the ten contestants took their places in the middle of the dirt-filled arena. Earlier in the day, during a lunch break at Den's, the contestants spoke about their week and the challenges they faced, including the contemporary and traditional competitions as well as their final competition, butchering. "This competition really brought out our strengths and weaknesses as a whole," said Shannon Hood, a contestant from Tohatchi. "In the end, it should be based on personality." Each personality apparently was supportive, as several contestants commented on how they pulled together as a group and helped each other out, fulfilling a pact they each made in the beginning to remain friends throughout the pageant and the results. "I'm glad I took the challenge," said Belinda Cowboy. Terriet Wilson, who won Miss Photogenic, said each one was a winner. "If we, as Din people, keep our culture, traditions, and our language, especially our language, we can be the most successful, beautiful people anywhere we go. We'd be unstoppable," said Devonda Largo, winner of this year's Miss Congeniality award. Sunshine Bia, the 25-year old contestant from Red Mesa, Ariz. who gave up her Miss Northern Navajo crown to compete, found two honors. Billey held an applause election for each contestant and it was Bia who won the crowd's favor. Bia also landed first runner up. "The girls are what made this interesting," she said. Bia lost the crown by just 15 points, with a score of 2,400. Wilson won third place with a score of 2,191 and Fern Spencer came in second with a score of 2,376. "It was so fun," Wilson said. "It was an experience. Every girl should try to run and go in with high hopes." Billey, who gave accolades to several tribal offices and the Apache County Sheriff's Office, said she woke up a little sad Friday morning but felt happy that everything this year went smoothly. "After tonight, I'll be a former Miss Navajo," Billey said. Billey will give a farewell address on Saturday at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena at 7 p.m.

Hands-On Learning Reading program teaches youngsters about Diné culture Trevor James,left, shakes hands with MasanÌ Yazzie, one of Jannalee Atcitty's (Miss Navajo Nation) puppets at the Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise in Window Rock Friday afternoon. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent) By Pamela G. Dempsey Diné Bureau WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise had a visit from Che and Masan Yazzie on Friday with the help of Miss Navajo Nation Jannalee Atcitty, or at least, from her hands anyway. Atcitty brought the two puppets, designed to look like an elderly Navajo couple, along to help her read a book to a small audience in the store on Friday. She reads in both Navajo and English. Atcitty and the Yazzies are launching a new literacy program using Native American-theme children's books to lure kids of all ages into reading and sharing. "Kids want to talk and be listened to," Atcitty said. Each Friday, until the end of her reign, Atcitty will host a reading program at a NACE store on the Navajo Nation or at the Navajo Nation Museum. While Native American-theme books were less common when Atcitty was young, she said the abundant availability of them now have multiple benefits. Most Native American-theme books often include cultural moral or the roles of family members and medicine men. "It teaches a lot for kids," she said, "(such as) importance of culture and being proud of where you come from." Atcitty, who said she also reads children's books for pleasure and plans to write one this year, said the two handmade puppets and their upcoming family, will help kids express themselves and their thoughts through projection. "With these puppets, it's a good way for children to show interest in issues they (don't feel comfortable talking about themselves)," she said. Atcitty said she wanted to address current events in a positive way with kids and on holidays, have hands-on projects as well. The idea for the program came from a class Atcitty took while studying elementary education before her crowing. NACE, the sponsor for the program, is offering discounts on the books Atcitty reads during her program. "We'll benefit both ways," said Jennifer Lizer, store manager for NACE in Window Rock. "It'll keep kids interested in reading and show the beautiful books out there." For more information on the literacy program, call Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise at (928) 871-4090 or Tonya Jim, Office of Miss Navajo Nation, at (928) 871-7250. — To contact reporter Pam Dempsey call (505) 879-1707 or email pamelagdempsey@msn.com