By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
For the first time in Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial history, the Queen isn’t from New Mexico or Arizona.
Tewakeedah Martin, a 23-year-old from Montezuma Creek, Utah, won the crown during the Aug. 8 ceremony at Red Rock Park.
She is Diné and Naałání.
Martin is currently pursuing a biomedical science degree at Diné College. She hopes to graduate next year and open her own optometry clinic on the Navajo Nation.
In addition to her studies, Martin serves as a 91 Bravo field vehicle mechanic in the National Guard. She joined the Army four years ago after struggling with her mental health.
“I remember seeing a flyer and I wanted to better myself in many different ways, including mentally,” she said. “And I wanted to gain a lot of skills to pay for school. I didn’t want to graduate with debt.”
Martin deployed to the Middle East for 11 months, returning to the States in November after her grandmother fell sick. Sadly, her grandmother passed away the day after Martin’s return.
After her grandmother died, Martin said transitioning back to regular life away from the Middle East was difficult.
She soon realized she was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as she’d lost interest in the things she loved, including singing.
“I lost sight of my passions,” she said. “I basically remembered what healing through song is and what music can do to our mental state and our mental wellbeing.”
Before joining the National Guard, Martin and her sister performed traditional Navajo music and released their first album in June 2020.
Martin incorporated her love for singing into the competition for the Miss Ceremonial title.
While she was trying to figure out what she wanted to do for the talent portion of the competition, Martin debated between performing three different traditional Diné songs, the “Morning Song,” “Haven’s Song,” and “Superman Grandpa” that were each close to her heart. She said choosing was extremely difficult.
“Something about it didn’t speak to me, so my Mom and I had the idea to combine three songs,” she said.
Together, she and her mom meticulously crafted a perfectly-timed medley. Competitors who went over the five-minute time limit for the talent portion would have points deducted from their final score.
Martin plans to continue highlighting her passion for music during her reign as Ceremonial Queen. She wants to create an album with the help of other Native women and is currently collecting emails from young Native women interested in joining the project.
She also plans on using her platform to support Native American veterans. She credits them with helping her work through her feelings during her transition home from the Middle East.
WINNING THE CROWN
Martin said she entered the Ceremonial Queen competition sort of on a whim. At the time, she was living in her truck after her financial aid didn’t come through as expected.
A TikTok influencer’s quote inspired her to apply: “Your voice, no matter how small, can make a difference; it can make a change.”
The quote gave Martin the push she needed.
“It gave me that little push and that little motivation to say ‘I’m going to do it,’” Martin said. “No matter what happens, it’s an experience, I can say I did it and it’s my foot in the door to other opportunities as well.”
When the crown was placed on her head, Martin said she was in shock.
“I didn’t expect it,” she said. “I just [entered the competition] to do it because I was very inspired and I had a message.”
Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Association Vice President and Pageant and Royalty Coordinator Cajuan Cleveland looks forward to working with Martin throughout her reign.
“She’s a very outgoing person,” Cleveland said of Martin. “She was ready for this, she was ready to get on the ball the next very day after she was crowned. She’s a very outgoing and driven person to work with, and I really look forward to working with her this year.”
To see updates about Martin’s reign as Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Queen and book her for events, visit the Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Queen Facebook page.
