Indian princess

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An Indian princess (or Native American Princess) is a representation of indigenous women of the Americas. Often Indian princesses are portrayed as daughters of Tribal chiefs. Typically, Indian princesses are depicted as cartoons that conform to unnatural standards of beauty. The most famous and legendized Indian "princess" is Pocahontas. Neo-feminist scholars have stated that the myth of Pocahontas helps to perpetuate white Eurocentric values because she leaves her tribe and becomes a Christian and this arguably insinuates that Christianity is better than traditional indigenous religion. Thus, the myth of Pocahontas becomes a method of to promoting Eurocentric values and norms and tool of colonialism . The words "Indian Princess" are derogatory terms & deemed highly offensive & insulting to natives young & old.

Video Indian princess

Media representation

Tiger Lily

Tiger Lily is an Indian princess character in Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie. In the book, she is captured by Captain Hook and rescued by Peter Pan. She only speaks in a stereotypical dialect following her rescue. Her most famous depiction in adaptation is in the 1953 Disney film. Controversy has surrounded the character, as its representation has been touted as racist and sexist.

Pocahontas

The Disney character Pocahontas, eponymous star of the 1995 Disney film is the most famous modern representation of an Indian princess. She has been inducted to the ranks of the Disney Princess franchise. Critical reception of her character has panned her overly sexualized portrayal. Her appearance was modeled on a number of sources, including Eskimo-French Canadian/Cree actress Irene Bedard, who provided the character's speaking voice, Powhatan historian Shirley Little Dove Custolow, and her sister Debbie White Dove, Christy Turlington, who is of Caucasian descent, and Dyna Taylor, a then-21-year-old senior at the California Institute of the Arts, who was used as the model for the character's face. Taylor, who is of Filipino descent, was paid about $200 for four modeling sessions, saying, "I work across from a Disney Store. When they show the promos, certain expressions are really familiar."

Maps Indian princess

Reclaiming the stereotype

Indian princess pageants

Indian princess pageants have taken the stereotype and used it as a form of empowerment for young indigenous women. Contrary to typical beauty pageants that judge based on physical appearance, indigenous women who compete in Indian princess pageants are judged on how well they promote traditional values and represent their community and not on how they look.

Miss Indian World

The Miss Indian World contest began in 1984. The contest is held each year during the Gathering of Nations pow wow in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The contest is the largest and most prestigious of its kind.

Requirements for participation

Must be a woman of Native or indigenous descent
Must be between 18-25 years of age
Must be affiliated with a Tribe
Must be Single
Must never have been married
Must not cohabitate with an intimate companion
Must not have, nor ever had, children
Must conduct themselves morally and refrain from drugs, alcohol, smoking, profane language, and intimate public displays of affection with a boyfriend.

Judgement criteria

Must be a woman of Native or indigenous descent
Must be between 18-25 years old
Must be affiliated with a Tribe
Must be Single
Must never have been married
Must not cohabitate with an intimate companion
Must not have, nor ever had, children
Must conduct themselves morally and refrain from drugs, alcohol, smoking, profane language, and intimiate public displays of affection with a boyfriend.

Winners

2014 - Taylor Thomas
2013 - Kansas K. Begaye
2012 - Jessa Rae Growing Thunder
2011 - Marjorie Tahbone
2010 - Dakota Brant
2009 - Brooke Grant
2008 - Nicole Alex'aq Colbert
2007 - Megan Young
2006 - Violet John
2005 - Cassie Thomas
2004 - Delana Smith
2003 - Onawa Lynn Lacy
2002 - Tia Smith
2001 - Ke Aloha May Cody Alo
2000 - Lillian 'Cepa' Sparks
1999 - Mitzi Tolino
1998 - April Whittemore
1997 - Shayai Lucero
1996 - Andrea Jack
1995 - Crystal Pewo
1994 - J.C. Lonetree
1993 - Gloria Snow
1992 - Lanette Asepermy
1991 - Janet Saupitty
1990 - Lovina Louie
1989 - Tammy Deann Billey
1988 - Prairie Rose Little Sky
1987 (August 87 - April 88 ) - Jovanna Plenty
1987 (April 87 - August 87) - Celeste Tootoosis
1986 - Lisa Ewaulk
1985 - Shelly Valdez
1984 - Cody High Elk

Calgary Stampede Indian Princess

The Calgary Stampede Indian Princess contest began in 1964. The Calgary Stampede Indian Princess joins the Calgary Stampede Rodeo Queen and Princesses to complete the Calgary Stampede Rodeo Royalty. While the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess is considered part of the Calgary Stampede Royalty, she has a separate category and competition of her own.

Evelyn Locker (née Eagle Speaker) of the Kainai Nation was the first First Nations woman to participate in and be crowned as Calgary Stampede royalty in 1954. Controversy erupted after Evelyn Eagle Speaker's crowning because she was of Aboriginal descent. The issues surrounding her crowning focused on how she should represent the Calgary Stampede and perform her role as Queen, specifically what kind of clothing she should wear (her traditional regalia or cowgirl gear). Most of the time the Calgary press referred to her as the Indian Princess instead of her rightful title as Rodeo Queen.

Requirements for participation:

Must be a First Nations member of Treaty 7
Must be between 18 and 25 years old
Must never have been married, lived common-law, or have had a child
Must agree not to marry, live common-law, or have a child during her reign
Competency in a native language is an asset
Riding ability is required

Judgement criteria:

Application package
Personal interview
Public speaking presentation
Dance
Interpersonal communication
Horsemanship and riding ability