The role of women in our Tribal communities has always played a crucial role in nurturing future generations. Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. aims to continue and empower the legacy of our young Native women.
Our Mission
To protect, revitalize, and educate communities of the diverse cultures of all Tribal Nations in the State of New Mexico. Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. also coordinates and manages the annual Miss Indian New Mexico Pageant.
“I am honored to have represented my people across the state and I enjoy traveling as much as I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things from each tribe. This entire experience in the last 7 months has strengthened my skills and abilities as a public figure and really shaped me as a person.””
Our Goals
To provide an avenue to develop leadership skills for our Native women.
To foster working relationships with other non-profit organizations.
To demonstrate and educate communities of the diverse cultures of Tribal Nations in New Mexico.
To model the teachings and traditions of women within our Tribal communities.
Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. Board of Directors
The current Board of Directors are:
Natalie Arellanez, President
Natalie Arellanez is from the Pueblo of Acoma and shares the lineage of Hopi and Navajo. Her parents are Colleen Becenti and Cornell Torivio. Her maternal grandparents are Eunice Ortiz and the late Johnny Becenti. Her paternal grandparents are Lavine and the late Lambert Torivio. She currently sits as the President of the Miss Indian New Mexico, Board of Directors and is Miss Indian New Mexico XLV (45).
Natalie graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Native American Studies and completed in 2012 a Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. In 2020 she completed a Masters of Arts in Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies with a concentration in American Indian Education.
She currently works for the University of New Mexico as the Director of Academic Success and Certification Officer.
Natalie is always looking forward to making a better future for our communities. Her homegrown morals reflect on commitment, loyalty, and perseverance. She looks forward to collaborating with all those who are always making a better foundation for our communities.
Nicole Johnny, Vice President -Treasurer
Nicole is a member of the Navajo Nation with her clans as Kiyaa'áanii born for Tsi'naajinii, her chei is Tábaahí and her nali is Naashaashi Dine'é. Her parents are Karen Johnny and the late Vincent Johnny with her maternal grandparents of the late Betty Williams Jumbo and the late John Jumbo. Her paternal grandparents are the late Sallie Chato Johnny and the late Navajo Code Talker, Earl Johnny.
Currently, Nicole is the Board Vice President -Treasurer and is Miss Indian New Mexico XLVII (47) from 2014-2015. Nicole graduated from Pepperdine University, with an MBA in finance and an undergraduate degree in finance and economics. Her background includes experience working in investment banking with RBC Capital Markets, tribal land valuations from both a federal and tribal perspective, and knowledge of commercial real estate development. Currently, she started her own venture fund, 1st Sovereign Capital and serves on the Board for Diné Development Corporation, Changing Woman Initiative, and WESST.
Nicole is excited to work with the Miss Indian New Mexico, Inc. organization on continuing and empowering Indigenous women in our communities.
Kari Vallo, Secretary
Kari Vallo is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Acoma. As an Acoma Matriarch, she feels passionate about supporting our native youth and their communities when she can. Her ambassadorship roles include Miss Indian New Mexico Teen I, New Mexico Youth Beef Ambassador, and Miss Native American New Mexico State University.
In her educational endeavors, she graduated from Grants High School and received a Bachelors of Agriculture in Animal Science from New Mexico State University in 2019. Currently, she is pursuing a graduate degree in Indigenous Peoples’ Law from the University of Oklahoma.
Her passion for caring for those around her can be seen in her role as the Health Educator for the Pueblo of Acoma Health and Human Services Division. This role she feels most passionate about because she was able to support her community during the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to guide her community to better health and wellness.
Kari is also a 3rd generation cattle/beef producer. Raising cattle has taught her many lessons about herself and her culture. As an avid learner, she believes there is always an opportunity to learn new things and explore the world.
Denica Tafoya, Voting Member
Denica Tafoya is from Kewa Pueblo. Her parents are Ray and Gina Tafoya. Her maternal grandparents are Pilar and Calvin J. Lovato, and her paternal grandparents are Mary and Lorenzo Tafoya. Denica sits as the Voting Member for the Miss Indian New Mexico Inc. Board of Directors and is Miss Indian New Mexico Teen V.
She currently resides in Rio Rancho, New Mexico with her family. Her professional career in the field of education began at Kha’p’o Community School where she worked as a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher. Later, she transitioned to roles with the Santa Clara Pueblo Community Library and Santa Clara Pueblo Head Start. In addition to her work in education, Denica is also a graduate student at the University of British Columbia where she is working towards her Master’s of Education in Indigenous Education and focuses her studies on learning more about experiential education and how it can be used to preserve Pueblo language, culture, and traditions. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Fort Lewis College in 2022. Her passion lies in creating programs and environments that empower Indigenous youth to reach their fullest potential and become the best versions of themselves.
Denica is also a former Miss Indian Rio Rancho High School (2015-2016) and Fort Lewis College Hozhoni Ambassador (2021-2022).
As a board member of Miss Indian New Mexico Inc., Denica is dedicated to supporting all the beautiful Indigenous women who join the Miss Indian New Mexico sisterhood. As a strong believer in reciprocity, Denica believes that after all that the organization has given her, it’s now her time to share that with those to come.
All studio portraits are done by Matt Foster Studios.
Copyright Matt Foster of Matt Foster Studios ©