Haŋ Mitákuyepi, Čhaŋté waštéya napé čhiyúzapi. Čhetáŋ Lúta Wiŋ emáčiyapi. Oglála Lakȟóta Wíŋyaŋ hemáčha Kštó! Aŋpétu tópa, čhaŋwápe tȟo wí, Waníyetu Kektópawiŋǧe waŋží saŋm opáwiŋǧe napčíyuŋka saŋm wikčémna napčíyuŋka ake napčíyuŋka K’uŋ héhaŋ Matȟúŋpi. Iná wayékiŋ Zúya Ohítika Wiŋ ečíyapi na wašíču čhažé kiŋ Toni Montileaux ečíyapi. Até wayékiŋ Jerry Cuny ečíyapi. Čhuwé núŋpapi, čhuwé Cherise na Star ečíyapi. Thibló tópapi, thibló Cody, Chase, Beau na Beau ečíyapi. Tȟožáŋ yámnipi, tȟožáŋ Mateja, Moriauna, na Abby ečíyapi. Tȟoška núŋpapi, tȟoška Gerry na Rylan ečíyapi. Phežúta Ȟáka emátaŋhaŋ na ektá wathí. Haskell Owáyawa waŋkátuya el wabláwa. Philámayaye!!
My name is Charlie Nicole Cuny and I am the youngest child of Toni Montileaux and Jerry Cuny. I come from Sunkawakan Mahpiya (Cloud Horse) and Zuya Nisksala (Little Warrior) Bands in Pejuta Haka District (Medicine Root District) on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. I am a contestant for the title of Miss Native American USA 2013-2014. I chose to run for Miss Native American USA because I'd like to promote higher education among American Indian youth and to serve as an ambassador for American Indian people. As a Red Cloud High School (Mahpiya Luta Owayawa) graduate and sophomore at Haskell Indian Nations University, I am a strong advocate of higher education. My goal is to inspire and influence more Native American youth to pursue post secondary opportunities and encourage them to return to their Tribal communities as future leaders.
I am raising money to compete in the Miss Native American USA pageant on August 3, 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. My goal is to raise $2000 by August 1, 2013. These funds are vital in order for me to compete in the pageant. The funds will be used for: travel, materials to make traditional garments, personal interview attire, lodging, and meals.
One of the cornerstone values of the Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) is generosity. As a way for expressing my generosity in reciprication of your generosity, I am offering unique and personalized gifts to those generous sponsors that have extra resources and can donate money to help sponsor me. These gifts include: customized Thank You cards, artwork by local Oglala Lakota artists, and customized earrings designed and produced by myself. People that are able to contribute $500 or more will receive customized beaded medallions.
If I am so honored to win the title of Miss Native American USA, I will utilize this opportunity to promote the neccesity of increasing the number of Native American youth that purse degrees in higher education. I believe it is vital to incease the number of Native Americans that are receving degrees and acquiring knowledge to solve vital issues such as resolving Native American health and social issues.
My personal goal is to graduate from Arizona State University (ASU) Herberger Art Institute with my Bachelor of Arts in the Arts and my Bachelor of Science is Psychology with the intent of becoming an Art Therapist. I believe that Art Therapy is a great and unique way to address the needs of at-risk youth on reservations. Suicide, drinking, and drug use seems to be the solution for many misunderstood adolescents. I would like to use Art Therapy as a creative outlet for adolescents to express themselves and to use it as a way to heal. I have faced a lot of adversities growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, such as alcoholism, drugs, and poverty. However, it has been these struggles and experiences, as well as artistic outlets, that have allowed me to push myself towards my own definition of success.
Any amount of contribution is greatly appreciated. You may also help my campaign by sharing this campaign link with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Wopila!
- Charlie
