Sherry Stinson
Osage News
Crispy on the outside, fluffy goodness on the inside – that’s the beginning of a great Indian taco. Piled high with savory meats, cheese, and an assortment of veggies, the mouth-watering frybread delight was served up by the hundreds during the 18th annual National Indian Taco Championship on Saturday, October 1.
Over 4,000 people descended on the streets of Pawhuska on a crisp October morning, stretching as far as the eye could see. Dance Maker Academy students, led by director Jenna Smith LaViolette, kicked off the event with a passionate performance of Giselle. Vendors opened their booths, offering a wide variety of Indigenous art, clothing, flowers, and more. As the morning stretched on, so did the lines to get tacos – especially to Ramona “Monie” Horsechief’s stand.
Horsechief once again took home the top prize with her eighth win at the NITC. When asked what the secret is to her success, she replied, “It’s my love for cooking. It’s wanting to make my grandmother, Effie Little Eagle, proud. She was a full blood Pawnee and she taught me how to make frybread. It’s practice. It’s trying new, innovative things. I don’t think it’s hit me yet that we won! It’s a good feeling! It helps me to grow, to strive to be better. We do a lot of community work, helping others, and this helps us do more.”
Also on tap for the day was an Intertribal dance competition, with a dazzling display of talent showcased. Results were:
Men’s Fancy
1st Amos Littlecrow
2nd Thunder Lieb
3rd Shaundai Poncho
Men’s Straight
1st Keetha Buffalohead
2nd Otto Hamilton
3rd William Tsosie
Women’s Cloth/Buckskin
1st Brooklyn Kemble
2nd Addison Cloud
3rd Brittany Taylor
Women’s Fancy/Jingle
1st Mikah Whitecloud
Juniors Boys Fancy
1st Chris Tsosie
Juniors Straight
1st Antwine Hamilton
2nd William Hamilton
3rd Quentin Bell
Juniors Girls Fancy/Jingle
1st Katzy Buffalohead
Juniors Buckskin/Cloth
1st Maudie Jones
2nd Tiger Jones
3rd Dewyn Zephier
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