An NDSU student has won the title of Miss Indian World. Cheyenne Brady, a senior psychology major from New Town, North Dakota, was crowned April 25 at the 32nd annual Gathering of Nations at the University of New Mexico arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Brady, a member of the Sac and Fox/Cheyenne/Tonkawa tribe, was selected from among 21 Native American contestants. As Miss Indian World, she will travel extensively and serve as a cultural ambassador.

According to the Indian Country Today Media Network, Brady plans to work with children during her yearlong term. “I want to empower and motivate them,” she said. “They're young, beautiful Native American children. We have this amazing culture, and it's fading. We need to revive it.”

The Miss Indian World crowning was the final event of three days of festivities at what is described as North America’s largest powwow. The event draws hundreds of competitive dancers and thousands of spectators from across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

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