Contestants for the annual Miss Indian World Pageant are gathering in Albuquerque, NM, USA this week.
The event runs each year in conjunction with the Gathering of Nations Powwow.
Representing Saskatchewan in the competition is Annalissa Pasapa of Regina, who is a member of the White Bear First Nations.
Pasapa says during the past few weeks, she has been busy organizing fundraising events to help pay for the trip.
“I’ve been doing lots of raffles, I’ve been going to round dances and selling stuff there,” she said. “I’ve also been making crafts and selling them online, I’ve been doing pretty good with that.”
Each contestant also must sell 500 tickets as part of the entry requirement.
This year, 18 young women from First Nations communities across North America are entered in the competition.
The activities get underway on April 24 with the traditional talent competition and the new Miss Indian World will be crowned on April 27.
(PHOTO: Annalissa Pasapa. Annalissa Pasapa, Facebook.)