• Hometown:
  Cove, Arizona
• Age during reign: 25
• Education:2004 Dual Bachelors in Native American Studies and Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College
• Clans:
  • Nishli: (Red House People)
  • Bashishchiin: (Bitter Water People)
  • Dashichei: (Red-Running-Into-The-Water People)
  • Dashinali: (Tobacco Red-Running-Into-The-Water People)

Miss Navajo Nation 2007-07 Jonathea Tso is Crowned

I am 25 years old. I am the Red House and Bitter Water Clan. My maternal grandfather’s clan is the Red Running into Water People Clan and my paternal grandfather’s clan is Tobacco Red Running into the Water Clan. My parents are Irene and Jonathan Tso, they currently reside in Kayenta, Arizona. My maternal grandparents are Mae and Lee John of Cove, Arizona. My paternal grandparents are Francis and Fred Russell of Black Mesa, Arizona. I have five little sisters of which I am the eldest. I currently reside in Cove, Arizona, with my grandma and her sheep. While caring for my grandma, I work part-time with the student Activities Office at Dine College (Shiprock) and purse a degree in the Navajo Language and Dine Studies program. I Graduated from Dartmouth College in 2004 with a dual major in Native American Studies and Environmental Studies. This past year, I have had the honor of representing our Dineh people as Miss Northern Navajo 2006-2007. This form of community service is a great way to understand and address some of the many issues at hand on our Navajo Reservation. If bestowed the honor of representing all my relatives as Miss Navajo Nation, I will emphasize our Dineh way of life and for most. My platform incorporates leadership of each individual. All groups taking the initiative to lean and teach out Dineh Way of life will insure a better society for all. This past year, I have had the honor of representing our Dineh people as Miss Northern Navajo 2006-2007.

Miss Navajo Nation contestants Jonathea Tso, left, and Bridgette L. Henry, of Spider Rock, Ariz., wait to hear the winner of the 2007-08 crown Sept. 8 at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena in Window Rock. Tso won the title.

Traditional way pays off

New Miss Navajo Nation thanks grandmother, other relatives for teachings

By Cindy Yurth
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Sept. 13, 2007

Living with her grandmother in Cove, Ariz., paid off for Jonathea Tso, the new Miss Navajo Nation. Butchering a sheep was no problem for the 25-year-old Dartmouth College graduate, who demonstrated weaving for her traditional skill and sang a Long Walk-era song to the sacred mountains for her traditional talent.

In her acceptance speech before the crowd at the Navajo Nation Fair rodeo grounds Saturday night, Tso thanked her grandmother and other relatives for passing on the traditional teachings that helped her claim the crown. Tso, who is Kinlich’i'nii (Red House Clan), born for T—d’ch'’i'nii (Bitter Water Clan), also confessed to being "very nervous ... I just heard (MC) Josephine (Tracey) ask for Miss Navajo, and I'm looking around thinking, 'Who's Miss Navajo?'" "This is a dream come true," she told the crowd.

For second runner-up Cassandra Bitsuie, it was a dream she'll have to lay to rest. The elementary education major from Steamboat, Ariz., who was on her second try after placing as first runner-up last year, will be past the age limit of 25 next year. Bitsuie, who in an earlier interview had said she had wanted to be Miss Navajo ever since she could remember, confessed to being "kind of" disappointed. "I wish her (Tso) well," she said after the pageant. "I hope she holds the title with respect and keeps the words that she said."

First runner-up Bridget Henry of Spider Rock, Ariz., seemed not at all shaken by coming in second. "I'm proud of myself," she beamed. "To be only 20 and be first runner-up, that's a pretty big honor. I had an interesting experience and I got to meet three wonderful girls. I learned a lot from all of them." Henry won the hearts of the veterans in the crowd when she came out in a camouflage dress for her traditional talent and sang a song honoring warriors who go overseas to defend the homeland. But she lost points during the question-and-answer portion when she couldn't define the word "ch'—y‡‡zh" - young spruce boughs that are used to form the neckpiece of a YŽ'ii Bi Chei dancer.

Third runner-up Samantha Lynn Chee of Iyanbito, N.M., may have lost points by being less fluent in Navajo than the other contestants. But she did claim the title of Miss Congeniality, and lived up to that designation by her graciousness after the pageant, congratulating the other winners and waiting in line to hug outgoing Miss Navajo Jocelyn Billy. "I just want to congratulate Jonathea," she said as the crowd started to file out. "I think she'll be an excellent ambassador for the Navajo Nation." At 20, Chee has five more years to try for the crown, but said she hadn't yet decided if she'll run again. "Ask me later," she said. Tso was named Miss Photogenic, and the best essay award went to Henry.

The women will receive scholarships ranging from $200 for the third runner-up to $1,000 for Miss Navajo, along with a variety of other donated prizes.

But still stealing the show was the departing Miss Navajo, Jocelyn Billy, who most observers agree has set new standards for what Miss Navajo can - and should -accomplish. Tracy, the mistress of ceremonies who was Miss Navajo 1996-97, confessed to being "intimidated" by Billy as she ticked off the latter's accomplishments over the past year: an AIDS awareness fashion show, Appreciation Day for former Miss Navajos, a Miss Navajo exhibit at the Navajo Nation Museum, television spots for the Special Diabetes Project, the Youth Empowerment Conference, serving on the Meth Task Force, the Mother's Day Song and Dance, and the Miss Navajo Rezball Shootout. Both President Joe Shirley Jr. and Vice President Ben Shelly presented Billy with gifts on their own and the tribe's behalf, with Shelly pronouncing Billy "a very close friend."

In recognition of her outstanding effort while in office, Billy will be the first Miss Navajo to be allowed to keep her crown. Tso will break in a new crown made by Tommy Lowe, a silversmith originally from Lukachukai, Ariz., now living in Farmington. "In 1982," Billy told the cheering crowd, "I was awarded a Pendleton blanket for being the youngest person at the fair. Last year it was my honor to be chosen Miss Navajo. I'm going to continue to serve the Navajo Nation. In 15 or 20 years, who knows what else I'll be awarded?"

Billy has stated in previous interviews she planned to attend law school after turning over the crown to the new Miss Navajo.