Well, a year has certainly flown by!  Gabrielle’s reign as 2009-2010 Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City is coming to an end the 26th of March. Changing Winds Cultural Society will again go through the process of nominating and selecting new Princesses for 2010-2011, this years event takes place at Destiny Life Center in Del City.

Three families will be celebrating the outstanding job she and the other girls, Aysia & Brianna, have done with an Honor Dance to be held Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Norman, OK.  You can print a downloadable flyer here.  We would love to see you there to support and encourage all the girls. The event begins at 1:30 pm and ends about 11 pm.

2009 OKC Stockyard Christmas Parade

Hosting an Honor Dance is certainly a challenge and a huge task – and so we extend to you our friends an opportunity to become a partner with us in one or more various venues, such as: volunteering to assist our coordinators (afternoon or evening), donating an item to the fund-raising raffles, setting up as  a vendor (booth fees are $30),  purchase an ad space ($10-$75) in the Competition Program Book, or anything else you are good at, please contact us at 405-445-7498 and leave your contact information.

Here are some photos of the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair, Thursday September 17,  along with Gabrielle’s new dress from her Grandma Marie!

Well, being the parents of Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City has proved to be quite a bit more time consuming that we would have thought!   But we are so proud of her.  Here is a video of the girls performing Indian sign language to “God Bless the USA” while the ROTC lowers the American Flag, Sunday September 27, 2009.

Actor Mark Harmon was in Oklahoma City for part of his annual charity baseball game.  This year one of the recipients of the funds raised was the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.  Little Miss Indian OKC, Jr. Miss Indian OKC, and Miss Indian OKC were invited.  Here are a few photos from that day.

Gabrielle Padilla - Little Miss Indian OKC 2009

Gabrielle Aja Padilla was selected by a distinguished panel of Native American notables as Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City 2009-2010 during the annual competition sponsored by Changing Winds Cultural Society. The selection process involves letters of recommendations, personal interviews, traditional talent, and tribal attire for young girls in three age groups.  A spectacular gala event was held on the campus of Destiny Center in Del City on Friday evening March 27th.

Gabrielle is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade with Home School studies.  She is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, and has cultural heritage traditions with the San Felipe Pueblo and Navajo tribes. She and her family currently attend Bethany First Church of the Nazarene where she participates in Children’s Choir, Caravans, Bible Quiz Team, and performs in drama presentations for the church. In her spare time she loves ceramics, and creating artworks in various mediums and applications. She is very adept at surfing the web, downloading information and images for her projects in Photo Shop. And above all she enjoys playing and watching movies on DVD’s with her little brothers.

She is the daughter of Fernando Padilla, Jr. (San Felipe Pueblo/Navajo) and Stefani Adcock Boyle Padilla (Chickasaw), granddaughter of Marie D. Setalla (Navajo Nation), the late Fernando Padilla, Sr. (San Felipe Pueblo) and the late Alberta J. Adcock (Chickasaw). Her Poppa and Grammy, Richard and Shirley Boyle of Sky Valley, Georgia are extremely proud of their granddaughter as well. She is the Great-Granddaughter of Original Chickasaw Enrollee Inez Thompson.

During the competition presentations Gabrielle won the trophy for Best Tribal Greeting in her age group.  For her introduction greeting she spoke Chickasaw with translation into English for the non-Chickasaws in the audience.  For this, Gabrielle wishes to thank Chickasaw Language Specialist Joann Ellis for her assistance and materials.  Gabrielle also placed first for Best Tribal Dress Description in the Little Miss category.  Gabrielle proudly shared her multi- cultural heritage(s) with the judges and audience by wearing a traditional Pueblo dress, handed down from her sister Sara Padilla, for this part of the competition. Thank you to Elizabeth Padilla for technical advice and assistance. Gabrielle was cheered on by her parents, sister, Elizabeth Padilla, brothers Raphael and Emmanuel, her nephew Angel, and many special friends and acquaintances.

The Changing Winds Cultural Society sponsors the annual Miss Indian, Jr. Miss and Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Competition since 1992. Shirley Wapskineh adamantly insists that it has never been a beauty pageant; its intent is to show the potential talent of young ladies and girls in their Native American culture & attire. Applicants from around the Oklahoma City metro and communities are invited to participate in several categories pertaining to cultural talents. And upon winning as an Oklahoma City Princess, are required to be the exemplary representative of Native American excellence and grace to events Indian and non-Indian.

We have allowed two of our daughters to take part in this particular event. Sara Don was a contestant twice; coming in Second Runner Up in the Little Miss 1998.

This was Gabrielle’s first time as a Little Miss contestant. She really put a lot of effort into learning her Tribal Greeting in Chickasaw. Since she represents several tribal groups: Chickasaw, San Felipe Pueblo, and Navajo, she’s seems to grasp the differences. Admittedly, we have not attended significant number of Pow-Wow events for our children to understand everything, but they are all drawn to the striking colorfulness, attracted by the enticing music and festive dancing. Even our four year old has been speaking Chickasaw tribal greetings spontaneously.

We want to express our thanks to the entire Committee members of Changing Winds Cultural Society for their devotion to keep the mission intent focused and exciting. We are looking forward to more adventures and opportunities through Gabrielle’s selection as Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City 2009-2010.

Keep your eyes and ears open to more postings of both Fernando and Gabrielle’s appearances and events through this website as we continue to improve the communication avenues for these two gifted individuals.
There is a new business line just for Padilla of San Felipe: (405) 445-7498

Our favorite 8 year old artist will be competing in the Little Miss Indian Oklahoma City Competetion on Friday, March 27, 2009.  Sponsored by the Changing Winds Cultural Society, the competetion is free and open to the public.  We think you will agree that this little girl has a lot to offer!  Wish her luck!

“Racing” is the first piece of artwork that Aja (Gabrielle Aja) has available for sale.  She used the monotype process to create this work of art.  For Aja, exploring new venues of expression has been more fun than it has been work.

“Racing” was made available for sale in December 2008.  Please contact us at sales @padillaofsanfelipe for availability of the original and pricing. Prints are also available.