Powwow Princesses Celebrate 50 Years

Ogimaakwensag (Princesses)

This kind of thing doesn’t happen to guys like me, but there I was at the Red Lake Seven Clans Event Center with a room full of Red Lake Princesses. I told them my Indian name was Makakii (frog) but none took my subtle hint. (Maybe I should have pointed at something, but that could have been risky*) It was late in August around powwow time. I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to dine with a room full of women celebrating the Red Lake Princesses 50th reunion luncheon.

I wasn’t the only man in the room though, there were husbands, and fathers, and sons, all proud of these women who so honorably represented Red Lake Nation over the past half century. Murphy Thomas was the emcee at the luncheon, Larry Stillday said the prayer, and songs were provided by Johnny Smith and the Red lake Singers. That was about it for the men though, the rest were former Red Lake Princesses, renewing old acquaintances as some had traveled far to come home for the celebration.

On one wall of the Event Center were photos of the women during the time of their reign. It was a popular display as those in attendance reflected on days gone by. It was interesting to see how the regalia had changed over the years, but the women? Not so much...still young and beautiful. Hey, I've been around, I've heard about SB's, even been threatened once or twice.

Princesses on parade

Later the group would participate in the Red Lake Fair and Powwow parade. They would ride on a special float, and were honored guests at the powwow. The Princesses also had their own booth at the powwow where archive photos would be exhibited in similar manner as they were now displayed at the Event Center.

All 50 princesses were present and accounted for said the first ever 1960 Red Lake Princess Elaine Johnson, with the exception of the late Willa Beaulieu, Red Lake Princess from 1972.

Delana Smith, Red Lake Princess in 98-99 was present. She did the Nation proud when she went on to compete for Miss Indian World and won that title in 2004. A dignified and impressive line of Red Lake princesses filled the room, all still representing Red Lake Nation in leadership roles, and as role models.

Delana Smith 2010

Red Lake’s first Princess Elaine Johnson, explained that “back in 1959 some began talking about the princess idea, and then in 1960 it was decided that Red Lake should have royalty as part of powwow”, said Johnson. “Later other tribes called on us and asked how we did it, we were at the forefront of such things. We are proud to represent our great nation. It is an honor”, she stated.

Johnson said she came home from school one day and was told she was selected. “At first we wore buckskin and feathers as regalia”, said Johnson. “When we were elected we got a back pack full of school supplies which was a pretty nice deal at the time”, explained Johnson.

Elaine Johnson 2010 demonstrates the "1960 parade wave".

Senior Princesses were chosen each year to represent Red Lake Nation in a variety of ways including powwows and other functions at Red Lake, and other reservation’s events. Princesses were always chosen at the August Red Lake Fair and powwow, and so now was the time to celebrate the 50 years with the luncheon.

The third Red Lake Princess from 1962 Sharon Fairbanks Columbus said “the contestants for princess compete each year and are chosen by judges, usually three or four”, said Columbus. “Some judges are former princesses, others are chosen from the audience”, she said. “The winner”, she went on, “is chosen using several criteria including audience applause, but also knowledge of language and culture”.

“There was a protocol, a code of conduct”, said 1964 Princess Lorena Hanson Cook. “A princess used no profanity, did not use drugs or alcohol, and must excel in school with a knowledge of language and culture” said Cook proudly. “We represent the nation, we must be role models”, she said.

Three Red Lake Princesses. Lorena Hanson Cook, 62-63, Sharon Fairbanks Columbus 61-62, and Cindy King 70-71.

“When I saw Sharon (Columbus) and Lorena (Cook) become Princess, that became a goal of mine”, said Cindy King. “I could see that they traveled, they were educated, they were visible and provided leadership, I wanted to be like them”, said King. Cindy King became the 10th princess and served in 1970-71.

Minawaanagozidaa (“Let’s Party”)

* For those of you who don't know, Indians point by pursing their lips.