By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
Rhylee Manwell’s journey to becoming Little Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial started four years ago, when she was six and brought a flyer home from school, and he told her mom Carley Tafoya that she wanted to try competing in pageants.
Manwell was crowned as the first Little Miss to represent the Jicarilla Apache Nation during the 104th Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Aug. 7. She is from Dulce, N.M., and her clan is Ollero.
In an interview with the Sun, Tafoya said she hopes seeing her daughter win the title encourages young women from other tribes to enter into future competition.
“I think building that bridge and that connection is really important for [Rhylee] and our community,” she said. “I think it’s important for people to know it’s open to all Native communities that are federally recognized, and that’s not just from the area around Gallup.”
Manwell said her favorite part about competing in the pageant was hanging out with the other contestants.
“My favorite part about pageants is getting to know the other girls, getting to know where they’re from, who they are, and just learning about them,” she said.
When it was time for Manwell to show off her traditional talent, she told the judges and audience the story of Go-jii-ya, a traditional Jicarilla Apache feast held in the fall.
The story behind the feast is a myth of a great primordial race around the world involving the Sun and the Moon. The two entities pitted animals against one another to determine the balance of the Earth and the annual harvest.
In the ceremonial reenactment, two tribal moieties represent the celestial balance: the White Clan (Olleros or “Water Jar People”) traditionally represent the Sun and plant life, while the Red Clan (Llaneros or “Plains People) represent the Moon and animals. The outcome of the symbolic race decides which bounty—wild plants and crops or game and animals— will be favored and kept in abundance for the upcoming year.
Manwell’s platform for her tenure as the 2026-2027 Little Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial focuses on other kids.
She wants to encourage Native children to learn their language, culture, and heritage because they will be the next generations to protect their homelands, sovereignty, and resources.
“I want to preserve the Native language for years to come,” she said. “If we want the language to stay alive for more years to come, we have to start today by telling our children and kids.”
During her tenure, Manuel hopes to attend different events and activities aimed at children. Tafoya said she’s also interested in possibly teaching classes where she would show other kids how to make bone necklaces.
