[1] To be eligible, contestants must be high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 22 and must not have previously held the title of Miss Cherokee.
[1] The competition evaluates candidates on their knowledge of Cherokee culture, leadership abilities, public speaking skills, and community involvement.
[1] The titleholder serves a one-year term, during which she represents the Cherokee Nation at various events, including tribal meetings, community functions, and educational engagements.
[1] In addition to serving as a cultural ambassador, Miss Cherokee receives a scholarship to support her academic endeavors.
[1] Miss Cherokee's duties have historically included visiting important cultural and political sites, such as the White House, the Oklahoma State Capitol, and the National Museum of the American Indian.
[1] The titleholder also participates in Cherokee Nation community meetings across the country, advocating for cultural preservation and leadership.
[1] Little Cherokee Ambassadors, open to children aged 4 to 12, are judged in age-appropriate categories and serve as cultural representatives in their communities.
[3] In the early years, Miss Cherokee’s attire was a traditional commercial beaded crown and buckskin dress.
[3] This changed in 1969 when Virginia Stroud introduced the tear dress, turkey feather cape, and copper crown, which became the new standard for the title.