Watch Miss Navajo

Miss Navajo is a 2007 documentary film that takes a closer look at the Miss Navajo Nation pageant that is held annually in Window Rock, Arizona. The film, directed by Billy Luther, explores the lives of four young women who compete in the pageant, showcasing the beauty, culture and tradition of the Navajo Nation. The pageant itself is a celebration of Navajo culture and tradition, as well as a showcase of the contestants' beauty, talent, and knowledge of Navajo language and history. The contestants, who are between the ages of 18 and 25, go through a week-long competition that includes rounds of interviews, traditional and modern talent performances, and traditional Navajo dress competitions.

The film follows the journey of the four young women, Radmilla Cody, Marilyn Help Hood, Ida Gail Organick, and Crystal Frazier, as they prepare for and participate in the pageant. The women come from varied backgrounds and have different aspirations, but all share a deep connection to their Navajo heritage and culture.

Radmilla Cody, one of the contestants, is a gifted singer with a hauntingly beautiful voice. She sings in Navajo, which makes her popular among the older Navajos who are struggling to keep their language and culture alive. She is also the granddaughter of an imprisoned white man who raped her Navajo grandmother, which makes her struggle with her own identity and her place in Navajo society. Through her participation in the pageant, she hopes to honor her family and to become a role model for young Navajo girls.

Marilyn Help Hood, another contestant, is a mother of six who has faced many challenges in her life, including poverty, domestic violence, and alcohol addiction. Despite all these obstacles, she is determined to give her children a better life and to become a beacon of hope for other Navajo women who are struggling. She hopes that her participation in the pageant will inspire others to break the cycle of poverty and abuse and to embrace their Navajo heritage.

Ida Gail Organick is a college student who is also passionate about preserving the Navajo language and culture. She has been involved in Navajo language immersion programs and hopes to become a teacher one day. She sees the Miss Navajo pageant as an opportunity to share her knowledge and passion with others and to inspire more young Navajo people to learn their language and culture.

Crystal Frazier, the youngest contestant, is only 18 years old and is still in high school. She is a talented jingle dress dancer and hopes to become a fashion designer one day. She sees the pageant as a chance to showcase her talents and to prove to herself and others that she can succeed in life despite her young age.

Throughout the film, we get to see the contestants' struggles, fears, and triumphs, as they prepare for the pageant and face the challenges in their personal lives. We also get to witness the beauty and richness of Navajo culture, through traditional songs, dances, and ceremonies.

Overall, Miss Navajo is a moving and inspiring documentary that celebrates the resilience, strength, and beauty of Navajo women, and the richness of Navajo culture and tradition. Through the stories of the four young women, we get to see the challenges and joys of life on the Navajo Nation, and the power of culture and tradition in shaping one's identity and future.

Miss Navajo is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.