I am now a strong believer in never giving up on my dreams and pursuing every goal that I have. Tears filled my eyes and all I could truly think about was how happy I was to finally fulfill my dream. I can’t even find words to explain the complete happiness and utter shock I had. Q) What was the it like when you heard the announcement that you won? Has your life changed since then? If so, how?Ī) It’s an indescribable feeling. I believe it is very important that we continue having powwows and ceremonial dances to honor our ancestors and truly thank them for what they have given us. I believe powwows are important because it is a way to keep our culture and traditions alive, as well as, a learning tool for the younger generation.

Q) What do powwows mean to you? Why do you think powwows are important?Ī) Powwows to me are a way of coming together as a nation, allowing us to thank our ancestors for giving us these different dances, and being humbled that God granted us the ability to dance and carry on our traditions. I am truly humbled they introduced me to my native culture and that I am able to dance at powwows for the ones who can no longer dance, and those who have passed on and taught me our ways. My parents believed that it was good for me to attend powwows and other traditional ceremony’s to learn more about my tribe.

If anything, that’s where I met all of my friends today. Growing up, I made a lot of close friends and relations attending powwows. Since then, I have attended powwows frequently and attend them monthly, if not every weekend. I was told the first powwow I attended was at Fort Sill Indian School, at an organizational powwow. My mom maid my first dress, and my oldest sister made me a breast plate. Do you attend powwows?Ī) Yes! I have been attending powwows since I was 9 months old. Q) Powwows are very important to many of our Native people, including all of us here at. The blue represents loyalty and the yellow represents the sun and the state of happiness. Giving us the reputation of also being known as ‘snake people.’ In our Comanche seal, the red horseman represents the name given to Natives as ‘the red man, the separation of the blue from the yellow is a curvy line that represents the movement of a snake. We are known for our great horsemen skills and also for being quiet when attacking in battle. As Comanche people, we are known as ‘The Lords of the Plains’ which I truly believe we are. Q) What is your tribal heritage and affiliation? For those who might not know a lot about your tribe, what would you want them to know about your people?Ī) My Tribal affiliation is Comanche. I am also currently holding the title of Miss Walters, which is my hometown scholarship pageant. I have also served as the Comanche War Dance Society Princess 2011-2012 and the Comanche Indian Veterans Association (CIVA) 2013-2015. I have served as the Comanche Nation Junior Princess from 2008-2010, and also the first young Comanche lady to represent the tribe as both junior and senior princess. I am a ¼ Comanche and very humbled to be a part of such a great nation. I am the daughter of Antonio and Phillis Mata of Walters, Ok. I am 18 years old and a freshmen at the University of Oklahoma. I was given the name “Gommock” (pronouced kah-mah-kah), which was my great-grandmothers name, meaning loving person, or cares for others. I truly am honored to be able to represent my people as their Comanche Nation Princess.

Comanche nation tribe