San Juan College Crowns Miss Indigenous

Cassie Frank, Miss Indigenous San Juan College (Courtesy: W. Dean Howard)

Cassie Frank is a 2020 graduate of Kirtland Central High School. Her Diné clans are Díbéłzhíní, Bit’ahnii, Táchii’nii, and Tábąąhí. She is a full-time student at San Juan College, studying Business Administration. Upon completion of her associate’s program at San Juan College, Cassie plans to continue her education at Arizona State University (ASU) where she plans to pursue her master’s degree. Following graduation from ASU, she plans to open a business in her hometown, Farmington, New Mexico.

October 14, 2021

Congratulations to San Juan College student Cassie Frank (Diné/Navajo) who was recently crowned Ms. Indigenous San Juan College 2021-22. Jessica Greymountain was first runner-up and Margaret Kirk was second runner-up.

Frank is a 2020 graduate of Kirtland Central High School. Her Diné clans are Díbéłzhíní, Bit’ahnii, Táchii’nii, and Tábąąhí. She is a full-time student at San Juan College, studying Business Administration. Upon completion of her associate’s program at San Juan College, Cassie plans to continue her education at Arizona State University (ASU) where she plans to pursue her master’s degree. Following graduation from ASU, she plans to open a business in her hometown, Farmington, New Mexico.

Cassie’s platform as Ms. Indigenous San Juan College is to encourage her peers, friends, family and mentors to motivate each other to keep learning and expanding their knowledge. “As someone with a chronic illness born into many cultures, I would like to show people that it’s still possible to do what they want either by going to school or traveling to Mars,” Cassie explains. “It doesn’t matter where you are from, your skin color or gender identity, I believe in you and want to motivate you. Life is short and you should do things that make you happy.”

During the pageant, Cassie demonstrated Chiiłchin, red sumac berry pudding, as her traditional food demonstration. She spoke about Navajo traditional regalia and the cultural significance behind the items she wore as a traditional talent/skill. For her contemporary talent she spoke about Native jewelry showcasing her own work, primarily bead work.

The Ms. Indigenous San Juan College pageant dates back several decades. Since its creation, the pageant has formed a legacy of Indigenous women voice and sisterhood of title holders who have served the San Juan College community and their respective cultures and traditions. Traditionally, the pageant aligns with the annual powwow with the coronation taking place on the final night of the powwow. This year, the powwow was postponed to April 2022, making the pageant its own event. The Native American Center coordinates the pageant and the powwow with the help of students, staff, faculty and community members. The selection of Ms. Indigenous San Juan College rests on the judges’ panel made up of former title holders, area royalty and members of the San Juan College community. Cassie’s reign will run through the fall of 2022.

“After a unique pageant year, I was pleased to see student interest return with three wonderful contestants,” said Byron Tsabetsaye, director of the San Juan College Native American Center. “The Ms. Indigenous San Juan College pageant is one of my favorite harvest-time events because of what it represents. The pageant bringsour people together to celebrate and honor Indigenous cultures and Indigenous women identity and matrilineal storytelling. Cassie will be an excellent title holder and I can’t wait to see her thrive as a representative of the college community and her culture.”

For more information about the San Juan College Native American Center, including programming, services and tribal scholarships, contact nac@sanjuancollege.edu.

More from Local News

  • San Juan College Luminaria Display: Sat. Dec. 7, 2024

    Sounds of the season will ring campus-wide as San Juan College’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9 FM, broadcasts your favorite Christmas carols. The KSJE Facebook page will also provide live video coverage of the event several times throughout the evening.

  • 2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

    These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.

  • Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

    The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.

  • Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

    The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.

  • Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

    Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

  • Sheriff's Office Makes Arrests in Bloomfield Double Homicide

    On August 29, 2024, Detectives and USMS investigative efforts tracked the suspects to a mobile home in the Waterflow area west of Kirtland New Mexico. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington Police Department, United States Marshals Service and the New Mexico State Police arrived at the location and began to call out Isaiah Brown and Ravyn Burns.

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny

    High: 57°F | Low: 21°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny

    High: 57°F | Low: 18°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny

    High: 55°F | Low: 21°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny

    High: 61°F | Low: 23°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny

    High: 59°F | Low: 30°F