• Hometown:
  Round Rock, NM
• Age during reign: 19
• Education:
• Clans:
  • Nishli: Ma’iideeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass People)
  • Bashishchiin: Tl’izilani (Many Goats People)
  • Dashichei: Kinlichii'nii (Red House People)
  • Dashinali: Kinyaa'aanii (Towering House People)

Round Rock native crowned Miss Navajo Nation

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, Sept. 15, 2009
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The community of Round Rock, Ariz., has something to celebrate as Tashina Nelson became the 2009-10 Miss Navajo Nation Saturday night before a standing-room-only audience at the coronation ceremony at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena. "I just want to say thank you, ahee'hee shima doo shizhe'e,'" Nelson said as she quivered with emotion. "Shimasani, ahee'hee' nitsaogo. I am the second Miss Navajo crowned for the community of Round Rock. This crown is for the community. I promise to represent my community the best way that I can." Nelson is the second Miss Navajo to represent the northern Arizona community that is known by two names: Tsenikani which translates to "Flat Plated Rocks" and describes the large Monument-Valley-looking butte west of the chapter house; and Bis Doolizh Deezahi which is translated to "Blue Pointed Mesa" that describes the small mesa south of the chapter house. Former Miss Navajo Sevaleah Begay, now Tsosie, was the first Miss Navajo Nation from 1994-95 to represent Round Rock. "I don't know how to explain it," Nelson said. "I'm shocked. I'm still trying to breathe." Without much time to let the moment sink in, well-wishers continued to grab her attention with hugs and lots of picture taking. Nelson is the eldest daughter of Sam and Kathleen Atene, also of Round Rock. She is Ma'ii Deesgiizhnii (Coyote Pass Clan) born for Tlizi Lani (Many Goats Clan). Her maternal grandparents are Kinlichii'nii (Red House Clan) and her paternal grandparents are Kinyaa'aanii (Towering House Clan). She has three sisters; Santana, 13; Shania, 10 and Katanya, 4. Once the coronation ceremony had concluded, Nelson was swarmed by family, relatives, friends and community members, all congratulating her. When asked of his thoughts on his daughter's accomplishment, Sam Atene only offered, "I don't know...I can't explain how I feel right now." "I'm very happy right now," said Kathleen, Tashina's mother. "Just hearing the announcement that she is Miss Navajo, I was so overwhelmed. I was so overwhelmed with joy and excitement." Nelson's parents said this was not her first time competing in a pageant.

Crowning achievement: Tashina Nelson named Miss Navajo 2009-2010

By Karen Francis
Gallup Independent
WINDOW ROCK, Sept. 14, 2009
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WINDOW ROCK--During the Miss Navajo Nation 2009-2010 competition, Tashina Nelson carried a Navajo dictionary around with her. It helped a lot. It helped improve my Navajo. That’s why I carried around a Navajo dictionary,” she said.

Nineteen-year-old Tashina Nelson of Round Rock, far right, reacts to learning she has been selected Miss Navajo 2009-2010 in Window Rock on Saturday.
2009 Gallup Independent / Adron Gardner