Kalle BenallieICT

The crown and sash of the Miss Indian World title made its final appearance on the Gathering of Nations stage after 41 years.

The crowd cheered for Dania Wahwasuck, the last woman to hold the title, when she spoke of her time as Miss Indian World, handing off her crown and sash before she left the stage.

Nine previous Miss Indian Worlds were also there with Wahwasuck. They were hugging and some were crying. The crowd also turned quiet for a moment when the sash and crown of “Miss Indian World” was exiting the Gathering of Nations stage for the last time.

Wahwasuck, Prairie Band Potawatomi and Pyramid Lake Paiute tribes, thanked Melonie Matthews, who is the daughter of Derek Matthews, the founder of the Gathering of Nations.

“I want to give Melonie Matthews a huge Miigwech for supporting me throughout my whole entire journey,” Wahwasuck said. “Melonie is so kind, caring and compassionate and she will take my phone call day or night no matter what it’s about.”

She also thanked her mother, who was there “every step of the way.”

“She’s my biggest inspiration,” Wahwasuck said. “She truly, truly, truly wants me to be the best version of myself and I don’t know what I would do without her, I couldn’t do it without her at all.”

The team of five women who help coordinate Miss Indian World were also introduced and honored for their work.

Some attendees felt that it would have been nice if all the former Miss Indian Worlds took part in the last Gathering of Nations.

Nelly Ann, Thunderchild First Nation, who danced during the powwow said she almost cried during the last Miss Indian World event.

“I hope that they’ll continue it in a different way, outside of Gathering, because it’s the last dance. I’d like to see another similar to carry it on,” Ann said. “Maybe have it at different powwows each year.”

Wahwasuck said in her video she made for the Gathering of Nations that you don’t need a crown, a sash or title to advocate what you believe in.

“I hope I made my ancestors proud. I hope that I made you all proud,” Wahwasuck said. “I look forward to continue doing the work that I have done this year.”

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