by CRIT Media Reporter Ariana Romero

The annual CRIT Royalty Pageants returned to Manataba Park on Oct. 2 and 3 for two evenings of competition and celebration. Contestants shared their talents, modeled modern and traditional dress, and introduced themselves to the audience as they competed to represent the Colorado River Indian Tribes for the coming year.

Hosted by the CRIT Royalty Board, this year’s pageants carried the theme “First in Time, First in Right.” The pageant pamphlet connected the theme to the Colorado River through a story of Mastamho, bringing the river and its people into the celebration.

In the story, Mastamho placed a staff into the ground and drew it out to bring forth water. He directed the water north, east, and west, stopping it each time. When he placed the staff into the ground once more and drew it out, he stepped aside and watched the water flow south, making the river. With the people standing behind him, he stretched out his arms to hold them back. The passage closed with the words “First in Time, First in Right.”

Both evenings opened with a welcome from CRIT Royalty Board President Valerie Welsh-Tahbo, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eva Charles and Brandy Eddy. Co-emcee JaMahke Welsh kept the audience entertained as the program moved through introductions, interviews, and performances. Entertainment by the Lil Macavs and Quechan Xuumar Akuuts added to the celebration.

Friday’s Little Miss pageant featured six contestants: Kathleen Viola Stone, Amelia Jean Gonzales, Alura Rose Walrod, Zyarah Devika Sharp, Calliope Sage Ara Scott, and Allison Rene Gonzales. Modern dress modeling and interviews gave the audience an opportunity to get to know the contestants, while the talent showcase and traditional dress modeling gave each girl another moment in the spotlight.

Outgoing Little Miss CRIT Loraina Stone gave her farewell presentation before the evening concluded with the coronation. Alura Rose Walrod, 10, was crowned Little Miss CRIT for 2026–2027. She is the daughter of Amanda and Mario Walrod and is Hopi and Mayan. Joining Alura were first attendant Calliope Sage Ara Scott and second attendant Zyarah Devika Sharp.

The celebration continued Saturday with the Jr. Miss and Miss CRIT pageants. Arianna Kaye Carmona, Jessica Lynn Scott, and Leina Rene Carmona competed for Jr. Miss, while Zoey Moon Sharp and Veronica Webb competed for Miss. Each contestant participated in modern dress modeling and interviews, a talent showcase, and traditional dress modeling.

Saturday also provided an opportunity to recognize outgoing Jr. Miss CRIT Winter Harper and Miss CRIT Brenda Duckey. Their farewell presentations marked the close of their time as royalty as the evening moved toward the crowning of the next representatives. (more…)

The University of Arizona put the Colorado River Indian Tribes and their culture in the spotlight Sept. 5, honoring CRIT during the Wildcats’ Native American Heritage football game against Northern Arizona University.

The recognition went well beyond the game, with members of CRIT’s Mohave, Chemehuevi, Hopi and Navajo communities participating in cultural activities throughout the day.

Festivities began at Bear Down Field, where representatives of CRIT’s tribes shared cultural performances with Wildcat fans and visitors during the Bear Down Bash.

CRIT representatives also participated in the Wildcat Walk, Arizona Football’s traditional pregame arrival. CRIT royalty and tribal leadership were invited to greet the Wildcats’ head coach as part of a gift exchange before the team entered the stadium. (more…)