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Good Bye from WOMEN OF THE NAVAJO 2018 COVER MODEL MAINTAINING OUR NATIVE CULTURE NATIVE DESIGNER 2018 SPONSORS

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after 25 editions WOMEN OF THE NAVAJO blows fans final kiss

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All clothing in the 2018 women of the navajo calendar provided by navajo spirit www.navajospirit.com

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Popular Calendar blows fans a goodbye kiss

By Arlyssa Becenti Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK – The unveiling of the Women of the Navajo calendar during the Navajo Nation Fair has become, for its many fans, an anticipated event annually.

Sadly, even though the calendar has been a popular product and has made the Navajo Nation Fair an even more anticipated event, the 2018 “Women of the Navajo” calendar will be the final edition.

“After 25 editions, WOTN has run its own course,” its website states. “The 2018 will be the final edition. We appreciate everyone who supported this small but popular calendar.”

Turning a quarter of a century old this year, the popular calendar gives the outside world a glimpse of just how beautiful, intelligent and unique Navajo women are.

t also gives the Navajo Nation a chance to celebrate the communities that each of the 12 young ladies call home.

“I always think girls who have never modeled before and are from remote chapters are always going to be the best models,” said Krista Thompson, whose family owns the calendar.

“They’re the most humble, most friendly to our customers. They’re able to bring attention to their own chapters.”

Each year young ladies from the ages of 18 to 24 come out in droves to auditions held at

various spots on and off the Navajo Nation to see if they will be one of the lucky 12 picked.

Since this calendar has been around for over two decades, its popularity is known all over the world. There have been some copycat calendars but none have outlasted or is as revered as “Women of the Navajo.”

The calendar is a family tradition and each member has had a hand in producing it. But it’s Krista’s dad, Larry Thompson, who initially started the franchise and has kept it going for the past 25 years. Krista also puts in a majority of the work behind the scenes on the development of the calendar.

Describing the work that goes into completing the product, Krista said it takes a considerable amount of time from auditioning models to getting designers, make-up artists, sponsors, photographs, then bringing it all together in time for the Navajo Nation Fair.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Krista. “We keep putting the bar higher for ourselves. Trying to be more diverse from where our models are from, do different things with our clothing, and theme.”

Krista explained that the Navajo Nation Fair is the best time for the unveiling since it’s a time of year when thousands of Navajos come together. With events such as the parade, Miss Navajo pageant, rodeo and concerts, selling the calendar and introducing the models fits right in.

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Popular Calendar blows fans a goodbye kiss “The Window Rock fair is the biggest one, so many people come out for this fair,” said Krista. “They have so many activities going on so it’s a smart strategy. We can unveil to a large number of Navajos … and non-Navajos who also come for the fair events.”

Krista, who was once featured in the calendar, is now a mom and graduate student at Arizona State University so this year she won’t make it back to the fair.

She said every year she and her family get excited about revealing the new calendar and introducing a new batch of calendar girls. But it’s also a lot of work. The loyal fans make the effort all worth it.

Charisse

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“We have these fans and seriously they have almost every calendar,” said Krista.“They want it signed. That’s always the best and exciting part of it.”

This year, Krista said they are hoping to see more fans bringing vintage calendars they’ve collected over the years or other “Women of the Navajo” keepsakes.

“We have to make sure we have a good representation of Navajos,” said Krista. “People think that Navajos should look a certain way and then you find out there are different characteristics so it’s important to integrate that into the calendar.”

Cherish

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Delilah

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KATONYA DILCON, ARIZONA

Charisse

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VTORA DILCON, ARIZONA

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MIYA

GREASEWOOD, ARIZONA

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DeSHAWNA RED MESA, ARIZONA

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CHARISSE TOLANI LAKE, ARIZONA

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DIANA THOREAU, NM

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VOLANJAYIA SHIPROCK, NM

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TEKAYLE WHEATFIELDS, AZ

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KRYSTAL GRAND FALLS, AZ

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DELILAH CROWNPOINT, NM

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CHERISH LAKE VALLEY, NM

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TYLAH ROUGH ROCK, AZ

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Jemez Pueblo beauty from New Mexico attends culture celebration in Fort McDowell, AZ

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Colorful Fancy Dancer waits to enter competition arena.

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Lady dancers waiting on the judges to announce the winners.

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Colorful Red Mountain Pow Wow Dancer (Salt River, AZ • November 2017)

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Red Mountain Pow Wow dancers in action.

(Salt River, AZ • November 2017)

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Destinee Siyuja 2017 miss Havasupai www.theofficialhavasupaitribe.com Ph.: 928-448-2731 40 WOTN - DECEMBER 2017

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ASjha faCES at THE pow wow

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2017-18 Miss Indian Arizona Mariah J. Sharpe colorado river indian tribe • parker, AZ 44 WOTN - DECEMBER 2017

faCES in THE crowd at the Fort mcdowell victory days (nov. 2017) DECEMBER 2017 - WOTN 45

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Thanks for your support and Appreciation 62 WOTN - DECMBER 2017

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