Kristina Hyatt, an EBCI tribal member, was crowned Miss Native American USA on Saturday, Aug. 8 in a pageant in Tempe, Ariz. (Photography by Roshan – www.roshanspottsville.com)
Kristina Lynn Hyatt, 26, an EBCI tribal member and former Miss Cherokee was crowned Miss Native American USA on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the annual MNAUSA Pageant in Tempe, Ariz. She competed against eight other contestants.
Hyatt holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of North Carolina Asheville and received an associate’s degree in applied science – dental hygiene from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. She is a dental hygienist, and her mission is to educate the Native American communities about the importance of dental hygiene. She is the daughter of Lavon and Gloria Hyatt.
“As a Cherokee dental hygienist I hope to share my knowledge and help create beautiful, healthy smiles throughout Indian Country,” said Hyatt. “Smiles create confidence and confidence creates success. As Native Americans we have the potential to do anything we set our minds to. Always remember that with God ALL things are possible.”
The pageant’s first attendant is Kansas Begaye, 27, Navajo/Dine’ Tribe. She is from Waterflow, NM, an award winning Native American recording artist and a former Miss Indian World title holder. Begaye received her bachelor’s Degree in Native American studies from the University of New Mexico and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in American Indian Law. Begaye’s message is to promote cultural preservation along with higher education among Indigenous youth.
MNAUSA’s mission is dedicated to recognizing and honoring Native American women throughout the United States. MNAUSA helps promote, address, support, and collaborate in areas of continuing education, domestic violence, alcohol and drugs, suicide prevention, teenage pregnancy, youth violence, AIDS prevention, diabetes prevention and intervention in urban and Native Americans communities.
– Miss Native American USA committee
