The Miss Navajo Nation pageant is a thing. It's been going on almost every year since the 1950s.

It's not about swimsuits or evening gowns, though. This tradition is all about making sure that the culture of the largest Native American tribe in the United States remains alive and vibrant.

I'm Gustavo Arellano.

You're listening to The Times, Daily News from the LA Times.

It's Thursday, December 9, 2021.

The latest Miss Navajo Nation was crowned this past October, and today we take you to the competition.

You'll hear from contestants, judges, and the eventual winner, and you'll get a sense of why

the Diné, what Navajos call themselves, place such importance on something that non-members

at first glance might dismiss as a mere beauty contest or country fair frivolity. L.A. Times Special correspondent David Kelly was one of a select group of reporters allowed to see the entirety of this year's Miss Navajo Nation pageant in person. Usually thousands of people see it live on the reservation, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions, fans had to watch at home via a live stream.

But the excitement nevertheless was real.

The competition had to be canceled in 2020, so this was the first one period in two years.

David, welcome to the Times.

Thank you.

So what's the history of Miss Navajo Nation?

Well, Miss Navajo Nation began in 1952 at the Navajo County Fair.

Back then, it was more, you know, many more contestants, dozens of contestants who would get on stage

and they would be dressed in their traditional Navajo dresses.

From what I have been told, a man would go behind them,

put a cowboy hat over their head,

and whoever got the most applause

would be selected as Miss Navajo Nation.

And over the years, as time went on, that slowly evolved into more events, more skills, more talents.

...