Miss Indian World works to instill pride in Native American heritage

New Mexico women in the upcoming Miss Indian World pageant say the contest is a way to affirm their culture and their lives.

“I want to speak on behalf of my experiences, my ambitions and most of all my tribe,” says Sophia Ponce, 25, of the Mescalero Apache tribe. “My mom says, ‘never give up on your dreams,’ and that stuck with me. I want the courage to speak up on behalf of my dreams to be a representative of Native American women.”

http://www.abqjournal.com/762208/news/cultural-ambassador.html