ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 42nd annual Gathering of Nations attracted thousands of spectators, dancers and drummers from around Indian Country and beyond April 24-26 at EXPO New Mexico in Albuquerque.
An integral part of the GON was the Miss Indian World pageant, which kicked off with the talent competition April 24. The pageant had 23 contestants this year, including two from the Seminole Tribe of Florida: Miss Florida Seminole CeCe Thomas and former Miss Florida Seminole Thomlynn Billie. It was the first time the tribe had more than one contestant in the contest.
During the talent competition, Thomas displayed three of her paintings and described the Seminole Tribe’s clan system depicted in them. Billie chose storytelling as her talent and told the story of the goodhearted and the evil spirit…