UA student tackles American Indian issues

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Political science sophomore Mitzi Tolino was crowned Miss Indian World at the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, N.M. and is wearing her sash, a crown and a dress made by one of her tribal elders. Tolino has also been crowned Miss White Mountain, Miss Indian Arizona and was first runner-up in the Miss Indian USA competition.

Mitzi Tolino, a University of Arizona political science sophomore, won the title of Miss Indian World last week, beating out 20 other contestants after a three-day competition.

She was crowned on April 24 at the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, which was attended by more than 18,000 people. The competition was held at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

American Indian sovereignty, constitutional rights, maintaining culture and education are only a few of the issues Tolino plans to confront during her upcoming year in office. Tolino is a tribal member of the White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Apache tribes, and the Navajo Nation.

"I want to help dispel the negative stereotypes of native people," Tolino said.

In order to win the competition, Tolino had to participate in a traditional talent presentation in which she represented her tribe. She also participated in a public speaking contest, a dance competition and private interviews with judges.

"She was really nervous about the talent portion," said Rose Upshaw, Tolino's cousin. "We were in shock when she won."

Tolino has also won the Miss White Mountain Apache competition, Miss Indian Arizona and came in first runner-up in the Miss Indian USA competition.

Her family resides on the White Mountain Apache reservation in the central part of Arizona. Her mother is White Mountain Apache and her father is Navajo.

"I am very proud of who I am," Tolino said. "I am proud to be Native American."

Tolino went home during the weekend to participate in a parade held in her honor by the White Mountain Apache tribe.

After graduating from Proctor Academy, a private high school in Andover, New Hampshire, Tolino returned to the reservation and proceeded to win Miss White Mountain Apache and Miss Indian Arizona.

"I was supposed to go to ASU, (Arizona State University) but at the last minute I won Miss White Mountain Apache and decided to take a year off," Tolino said.

During that year, she traveled and spoke at reservations throughout the country. In 1997, she won Miss Indian Arizona.

Tolino said she looks forward to meeting many tribal members and speaking at various reservations.

"My duty is to be an ambassador of all indigenous cultures throughout the world," Tolino said.

She said choosing proper tribal leaders was also very important to her.

"The people must trust their leaders," she said.

To honor Tolino's accomplishment, the UA Native American Resource Center is holding a reception in the Memorial Student Union Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event is open to the public.