Ceremonial queen to champion veterans issues

Nicole Helena James, left, receives the crown from 2008-09 Miss Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Crystalyne Gayle Curley during the coronation ceremony at Red Rock Park Saturday. — © 2009 Gallup Independent / Cable Hoover

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Independent correspondent

GALLUP — The new Miss Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen was just crowned on Saturday, but she already has plans to promote veterans’ causes over the next year.

Nicole Helena James, 20, of Prewitt was named Miss Ceremonial 2009-2010 during Saturday evening’s Indian Dances at the 88th Annual Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial at Red Rock Park. A former Miss Native American of Thoreau High School, James also recently completed a year as Miss Eastern Navajo 2008-2009.

To read more subscribe to the Gallup Independent by calling (505) 863-6811 or purchase the paper at the newsstand.