Honoring The Legacy of All-American Indian Days – Part 1

The Miss Indian America (MIA) pageant, in conjunction with All-American Indian Days, was held in Sheridan from 1953-1978 at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. On Saturday, September 19, at the Museum at the Bighorns in Downtown Sheridan, in conjunction with the current museum exhibit featuring All-American Indian Days, held a program featuring several former Miss Indian America winners.

Michele Portwood Robinson, MIA XI; Tomasine Hill Trosi, MIA XV; Susan Arkeketa, XXV; and deana harragarra waters, XXII, all attended the event. Sandra Grover, MIA IV, was represented by family members, Darwin St. Clair and her daughter Sara Robinson.

Isabella Yellowtail, the 2026 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Queen, was also present and talked about her reign, but that’s another story.

Chip King, director of operations at the museum, welcomed the crowd. He said this has been a long-term project, and a lot of work was put into the event.

Leonard Bends of the Crow nation was the master of ceremonies. His family has been involved with All-American Indian Days since it began.

He said that only a few stores would allow Indians to come in and shop or order a meal or purchase a beer. He talked about stopping at Hamburger Louie’s cafe, where they were always welcome. He said they paid $.05 per burger.

Bends then introduced Darwin St. Clair, his mother was Sandra Grover, Miss Indian America IV who was of Shoshone Pawnee heritage. He and his son Noah performed two traditional songs in her honor.

Sara Robinson talked about her mother, Sandra Glover,

This is Sandra’s own words about her time as Miss Indian America.

Bends added that one thing that came out of All American Indian Days was an appreciation of the Native American Cultures. He said there were tribal members from all over the United States. “They had parades, they had pow wows, and they had games.”

Another speaker was Butch Jellis, who, with Truman Jefferson, started the first people’s powwow in Sheridan.

Mike Kuzara, who jokingly said he was a part of the Pollock tribe, said he wanted to acknowledge the Rice family and their connection with the All-American Indian Days. They opened their land for the Indians to camp on during the celebration. “It was called the camping place,” he said.

Judy Slack introduced Kathleen Michelena Smith, who was Lucy Yellowmule’s Lady in Waiting in 1951. She has been a member of the Miss Indian America Collective for several years, Slack added.

Miss Indian America XV, Thomasine Hill Triosi, who is Crow and Pawnee, welcomed the crowd in a traditional way.

She presented two gifts to the Museum, a Pendleton blanket and a painting on fabric.

The next speaker was Susan Arkeketa, who was Miss Indian America XXV from Oklahoma

Michele Portwood Robinson MIA XI, spoke next, and thanked everyone for coming to the event.

The next speaker was deana harragarra waters, and she said that on July 29, 1975, it was raining when she arrived at the Denver airport to fly to Sheridan to compete in the MIA contest. Although she said she doesn’t remember everything, she urged the crowd to remember with her.

She said she had several memories of the places she visited while she wore the crown.

This will be a two-part story. Next story will feature 2026 Sheridan Rodeo Queen Isabella Yellowtail, and how Lucy Yellowmule, who was the inspiration for All-American Indian Days, inspired her in her journey.