|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2006
5th Annual Miss Tlingit & Haida Youth Leadership
Pageant
At this year's event two young Native women came together to compete
for the position of Miss Tlingit & Haida. The scholarship pageant
activities were in Juneau from April 17-19 and the two participants
were Marrisa Corpuz and Barbara Dude, both of Juneau. The three
day event took place in conjunction with the Central Council Tlingit
and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska's 71st Annual General Assembly.
The contestants learned about the Central Council's history, made
regalia, toured the Governor's Mansion and Office, met with Senator
Albert Kookesh and Representative Bill Thomas, and were introduced
on the floor of both the House and the Senate by Representative
Beth Kertula and Senator Kim Elton. 
The selection of Miss Tlingit & Haida is based on the participant's
knowledge of tribal government and history, scholastic achievement,
eloquence and knowledge of current issues facing Alaska Natives.
During the three day event contestants gain traditional
skills, make public presentations and are interviewed by a panel
of three judges. This year's judges were Marie Olson, ANS Camp 2
President; Jacqueline Tagaban, TRIO Director (UAS); and Yarrow Vaara,
Language Specialist (Tlingit) for the Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Marrisa Corpuz, 18 of Lingit and Haida descent from Juneau was crowned
Miss Tlingit & Haida. She is Haida Eagle and Kaawaantaan yadi.
Her Lingit name is Kintoow. She is a senior at Juneau-Douglas High
School. She plans to attend the University of Alaska Southeast and
major in Elementary Education. During the pageant Corpuz performed
a Haida song which she dedicated to co-contestant Dude and family
in memory of their relative Ken Natkong. Corpuz will represent Tlingit
and Haida people at the Miss National Congress of American Indians
(NCAI) scholarship pageant this fall.
Barbara Dude, 18, Lingit was awarded 1st runner up. She is Lingit,
Dakl'aweidi and Dleit Kaa Yadi. Her Lingit name is Kajaseidee. Dude
is a senior at Juneau-Douglas High School and plans to attend Haskell
Indian University and major in Human Resources. Dude presented a
poem that she composed for her grandmother. Her presentation was
in Tlingit, American Sign Language and in English. She learned to
read in American Sign Language to honor a young girl in the All
Nations Children dance group who is severely hearing impaired. Dude's
goal is to learn to speak with her hands so that she can teach the
young girl to have a voice.
Each youth shared her passion and honor for her culture. Each demonstrated
concern for the well-being of the Tlingit and Haida people, especially
that of the youth.
The Central Council believes in the strength and leadership abilities
of its young Native people, and asks that you encourage the talented
young women in your community to consider this opportunity. There
is an open invitation for them to don their Button Robes, Headbands,
and Regalia as we invite them to find their voices as Native women.
###
For More Information Contact:
Catherine N. Edwards, CCTHITA Pageant Coordinator
Toll: 1(800) 344-1432 ext. 3171
E-mail: cedwards@ccthita.org
Media Contact:
Jodi Wolf – CCTHITA Publications
9097 Glacier Highway, Ste. 206
Juneau, AK 99801
Tel. 907/463-7123
|
