The Choctaw Nation Princess and Royalty Program: Cultural Education in Choctaw Culture and Tribal Identity

Abstract

The Native American princess pageant is an institution that provides a site within which Native American women exhibit and advocate for traditionally important tribal values and behavior. In doing so, princesses transmit culture, and honor is bestowed upon their families, ancestors, and elders. Through their travels and interaction with others, princesses are afforded opportunities to share their culture as they learn more about the cultures of others (Aicinena & Ziyanak, 2024; Cherokee Phoenix, 2023; Fox, 2017; Lonelodge, 2019). In the current study, we sought to determine through qualitative research methods how a specific tribal princess program, specifically the Choctaw Princess and Royalty Program, assists in the maintenance and perpetuation of traditional Choctaw culture and how the program contributes to strengthening Choctaw identity within the program’s participants. To date, no researcher has published study in which this topic has been explored. Our findings led to the identification of three themes and six subthemes: 1) Formal Cultural Education: The Princess in Training Program. Subthemes include Personal Growth, and Cultural Educators. 2) Becoming a Functioning Member of the Choctaw Nation which encompasses four subthemes: Respect for Others, Cultural Identity, Servant Leadership, and Humility. 3) Choctaw Princesses Serve as Role Models. During the process of preparing for pageants, in the midst of pageant competition, and while serving their year-long term as a princess, Choctaw girls and women learn about and share their traditional culture while strengthening their identity as members of the Choctaw Nation.