“Alaska Native” is a collective name for the indigenous peoples of Alaska, a territory in North America which became the 49th state of the United States. Alaska Natives are diverse and are of different ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has their own history, culture, language, practices and rules. Let us meet the diverse Native American beauties from Alaska Native tribes who competed in the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. For their state costumes, most of the delegates wore an attire inspired by the parka, a traditional Inuit hooded jacket lined with fur, which is commonly worn among residents of Alaska during the winter.
Muriel Hagberg won the title of Fairbanks Winter Carnival Queen 1953. She hails from Fairbanks and comes a multiracial background; her father was originally from Sweden while her mother is of Iñupiaq descent and a famed parka designer. The statuesque brunette soon represented the Territory of Alaska in the Miss Universe 1953 pageant held in Long Beach, California.
Eleanor Moses from Fairbanks won the title of Fairbanks Winter Carnival Queen 1958. A Koyukon Athabascan beauty originally from Stevens Village, Eleanor soon represented the Territory of Alaska in the Miss Universe 1958 pageant held in Long Beach, California. After the pageant, she became a flight stewardess and in 1959, was featured in an episode of the game show, "To Tell the Truth".
In 1959, Alaska achieved statehood and was admitted in to the United States of America, becoming its 49th state. During that time, Anna Lekanof won the title of Fairbanks Winter Carnival Queen 1959. An Aleut beauty from St. George Island, Anna soon represented the state of Alaska in the Miss USA 1959 pageant.
Deborah Fickus won the title of Miss Alaska USA 1980. Fondly called “Debby”, she hails from Fairbanks and comes from a mixed-race background; her father is white while her mother is Gwich'in Athabascan. Before winning the state title, she was working as a paralegal secretary while also being a part-time model. She soon represented the state of Alaska in the Miss USA 1980 pageant.
Linda Kay Fickus became the winner of the first Miss Alaska Teen USA pageant in 1983. She is the younger sister of Debby Fickus, who won the Miss Alaska USA 1980 title. Linda soon became Alaska's delegate in the inaugural Miss Teen USA in 1983, where she was a favorite among the press.
Rea Bavilla won the title of Miss Alaska USA 1997. Originally from Unalaska, Rea is of Yup'ik ancestry and represented the state of Alaska in the Miss USA 1997 pageant. She also became the state director of the Miss Alaska USA and Miss Alaska Teen USA pageants from 2011 until 2016.
Courtney Erin Carroll won the title of Miss Alaska USA 2008. Before winning the state title, she was pursuing a degree in political science and previously held titles in American Indian and Eskimo cultural pageants. Courtney is from Fairbanks and comes from a mixed-race background; her father is white while her mother is of Deg Hit'an Athabascan descent. She soon represented Alaska in the Miss USA 2008 pageant and was awarded the Miss Photogenic title.
Denali Whiting won the title of Miss Alaska Teen USA 2011. Hailing from Kotzebue, she was a college student pursing a degree in Alaska Native studies when she won the state title. Born to a white father and an Iñupiaq mother, the stunning beauty became Alaska's delegate in the Miss Teen USA 2011 pageant.
Alyssa London won the title of Miss Alaska USA 2017. From Anchorage, Alyssa comes from a mixed-race background; her father is of Tlingit descent while her mother is of Czech and Norwegian ancestry. She is also a member of Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. At the time of winning the state title, Alyssa was working as an entrepreneur and a digital content creator. The stunning brunette soon represented Alaska in the Miss USA 2017 pageant and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists. For her evening gown, she wore a custom gown with a Tlingit-style robe adorned with her clan's crest.
Alyssa London won the title of Miss Alaska USA 2017. Alyssa comes from a mixed-race background; her father is of Tlingit, Scottish and French descent while her mother is of Czech and Norwegian ancestry. She is also a member of Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Alyssa is a graduate of ethnic studies and has worked as a marketing manager. At the time she won the state title, Alyssa was based in Anchorage where she was managing her own business of cultural art products. The stunning brunette soon represented Alaska in the Miss USA 2017 pageant and was among the Top 10 semi-finalists. For her evening gown, she wore a custom gown with a Tlingit-style robe adorned with her clan's crest.
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