Kristina Lynn Hyatt was crowned the new Miss Native American USA last Saturday at the annual Miss Native American USA Pageant in Tempe, Arizona. The 26-year-old is a tribal citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, North Carolina.
She is a dental hygienist and her mission is to educate the Native American communities about the importance of dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Lavon and Gloria Hyatt of North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States, who are descended from the small group of 800 Cherokee who remained in the Eastern United States after the Indian Removal Act moved the other 15,000 Cherokee to the west in the 19th century.
“As a Cherokee dental hygienist I hope to share my knowledge and help create beautiful, healthy smiles throughout Indian Country. Smiles create confidence and confidence creates success. As Native Americans we have the potential to do anything we set our minds to. Always remember that with God ALL things are possible,” said MNAUSA Kristina Hyatt.
The first attendant was 27-year-old Kansas Begaye of the Navajo/Dine’ Tribe. Begaye is from Waterflow, New Mexico, an award winning Native American Recording Artist and a former Miss Indian World title holder. Begaye received her Bachelor’s Degree in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico and currently pursing a Master’s in American Indian Law. Begaye’s message is to promote cultural preservation along with higher education among Indigenous youth.
The Miss Native American USA’s mission is dedicated to recognizing and honoring Native American women throughout the United States. The pageant encourages Indigenous women to achieve their personal goals, build characters, enhance self-esteem, and develop leadership skills alongside giving back to our Native communities through volunteering.
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She is a dental hygienist and her mission is to educate the Native American communities about the importance of dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Lavon and Gloria Hyatt of North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is a federally recognized Native American tribe in the United States, who are descended from the small group of 800 Cherokee who remained in the Eastern United States after the Indian Removal Act moved the other 15,000 Cherokee to the west in the 19th century.
“As a Cherokee dental hygienist I hope to share my knowledge and help create beautiful, healthy smiles throughout Indian Country. Smiles create confidence and confidence creates success. As Native Americans we have the potential to do anything we set our minds to. Always remember that with God ALL things are possible,” said MNAUSA Kristina Hyatt.
The first attendant was 27-year-old Kansas Begaye of the Navajo/Dine’ Tribe. Begaye is from Waterflow, New Mexico, an award winning Native American Recording Artist and a former Miss Indian World title holder. Begaye received her Bachelor’s Degree in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico and currently pursing a Master’s in American Indian Law. Begaye’s message is to promote cultural preservation along with higher education among Indigenous youth.
Photo by Roshan – www.roshanspottsville.com
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She's a world class contender!