We are so glad and proud to share the great news that our newest member of the Padilla household has made his appearance after months of excited expectations! MiguelAngelo, was born on Wednesday July 14 @ 12:47 pm…and he tipped the digital scales at 6 lbs and 9 ozs, with an overall length of 18”. Quite a bit of personality wrapped into such a small package but he certainly is a keeper.

So many family and friends have seen his cute face on FaceBook and e-mail postings but we share a few pictures here with our extended family as well. We look forward to many more wonderful years with each of our children, what a blessing little ones bring into our lives…hugs yours today!

While Gabrielle has always been involved with artwork since she learned how to cut paper with scissors, age 4 (we wouldn’t let her have any before then), she continues to amaze us with her artistic abilities. This was the first year of her eligibility for the Youth Art Competition at Red Earth, so she entered two pieces: one in the painting category and one in the beadwork category. We are pleased to announce that she won a First Place Award in Beadwork! Check out her photos on the “Children’s Artwork” on the website. She also received a $100 check from the Competition Sponsor: Mrs. Norick.

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.