Miss Indian Arizona Sialik King showcased the youth of the 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona at her platform event on Sept. 18. The event was held at the Accelerated Learning Academy gymnasium. King’s platform was “Promoting Cultural Learning Through Singing and Dancing.”

“I really wanted to highlight the youth of our communities. I think when we uplift, and when we give confidence to those future generations, we flourish as communities,” said King. She felt it was important to give the youth a place to show us who they are as Indigenous people. King believes that these youth will be our future storytellers and future leaders.

King learned to sing traditional O’odham songs when she was around 12, and that helped shape her into the person she is today, as an O’odham woman. So, being able to give a stage to youth who are around the same age was a full circle moment for King.

She decided to vie for the title of Miss Indian Arizona to give young tribal members confidence and power through a way that connects deeply to her, which is traditional singing and dancing.

King finished the night by saying a few words.

“Thank you for being here. And to the families, thank you for bringing your youth out and teaching them, and continuing to teach them. Continue to build their confidence and continue taking them places!”