Miss Navajo plans for new envoy

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Even as Yolanda Charley reaches thousands of people each quarter as the goodwill ambassador for the Navajo Nation, she is already making plans for the next Miss Navajo to take over by preparing for the next pageant.

The Office of Miss Navajo Nation reported in its second quarter report for fiscal year 2009 that six young ladies have picked up applications to run for the title. Applications are due in August and the competition and pageant take place Sept. 9-12.

Pageant coordinators have been selected, the quarterly report states.

According to the Office of Miss Navajo, Charley has promoted the preservation of Navajo culture, language and tradition to nearly 50,000 people during the second quarter.

She took part in two dozen events with tribal departments and visited 25 schools on and off reservation. Charley also promoted her title through entertainment and public speaking to nearly 67,000.

One highlight in March was the Read Across America national event to encourage students to read.

Charley and program coordinator Dinah Wauneka have also been working closely with the meth task force, according to the quarterly report. Her goal is to become a spokesperson to help combat the use of drug and alcohol abuse and her role is helping to help plan annual conferences, strategize and get other programs involved.