TULSA – The 2026-2027 Muscogee (Creek) Nation Scholarship pageant was held at the Tulsa River Spirit Casino Resort on June 7. This year’s theme was “A Crown Through the Decades.” This year’s winner for Miss was Mercedes Dunn, and Junior Miss was Nevaeh Kelly. Runner-up for Miss was Alina Harjo, and for Junior Miss was Jayleigh Harjo. Seven contestants competed for this year’s royalty- three Junior Miss contestants and four Miss contestants.
According to the scholarship pageant, “A Crown Through the Decades honors the Mvskoke women who came before us, the Mvskoke women who stand beside us today, and the young Mvskoke girls who will one day carry these traditions forward. As Mvskoke women, we are deeply rooted in the teachings of those before us, and through every generation, our crowns continue to shine with resilience, culture, and pride.”
During the pageant, there was a welcome and introduction from the former 2025-2026 Miss MCN Aholoce Deere, followed by the Presentation of Colors by Este Cate Hoktvke Suletawv and Mvskoke Hymns that were sung by the College of the Muscogee Nation Apprentice Cohort.
Throughout the afternoon, each contestant performed a self-intro, a traditional dress presentation, and an impromptu. Many former Misses and Junior Misses MCN were presenters throughout the competitions and announced the winners in each category.
The Junior Miss contestants were Jayleigh Harjo, Madison Gifford, and Nevaeh Kelly. The Miss contestants were Alina Harjo, Myra Deerinwater, Kiahna Croy, and Mercedes Dunn.
This year’s judges were Better Way Foundation Associate Program Officer Isabel Coronado (Mvskoke), Apehkv Fellowship Church and Vesse-Lanvpe (Green Leaf) Ceremonial Ground member Franklin Coachman, 2026 Miss Indian Oklahoma Janaya McIntosh (Mvskoke), Public School Educator Esther Morgan (Mvskoke/Cherokee), Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Director of the Language and Historic Preservation Jeremy Fultz (Mvskoke/Seminole), and Former Junior Miss Cherokee Coordinator and former Miss Cherokee Reba Bruner.
This year’s 2026-2027 Miss MCN is Mercedes Dunn (Mvskoke). Her parents are Darweshi and Lisa Spencer. Dunn is Bear Clan, her tribal town is Hitchita, and she attends Mt. Zion Baptist. Dunn is a student at Tulsa Community College, and her platform is to promote and educate Tribal Sovereignty. For her cultural talent, Dunn played the flute.
This year’s 2026-2027 Junior Miss MCN is Nevaeh Kelly (Mvskoke). Her parents are Erika Harjo and Paul Kelly. Kelly is Deer Clan, her tribal town is Thlopthlocco, and she attends Randall Indian Baptist. Kelly is a student at Preston High School, and her platform is cultural revitalization. For her cultural talent, Kelly played the flute
This year’s runner-up in the Miss category is Alina Harjo. Her mother is Annee Harjo. She is Wind Clan, her tribal town is Kialegee, and she attends Randall Indian Baptist. Harjo is a student at Glenpool High School, and her platform is cultural, mental, and physical health for Native youth. For her cultural talent, Harjo taught how to make grape dumplings.
The Junior Miss runner-up is Jayleigh Harjo. Her parents are Jamie and Mark Hill. Harjo is Bird Clan, her tribal town is Broken Arrow, and she attends Broken Arrow Indian Methodist. Harjo is a student at Glenpool High School, and her platform focuses on disabilities, kindness, and inclusion. For her cultural talent, Harjo sang a Mvskoke Creek lullaby.
This year’s theme celebrated the sacred strength and enduring legacy of Mvskoke women who have carried the culture, traditions, and communities through generations.
“In many tribal nations, women have always held powerful roles as life-givers, caretakers, leaders, storytellers, and protectors of our people. Through matrilineal teachings, knowledge, identity, and values are passed down from mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and elders to the next generation. These teachings create an unbreakable connection between our past, present, and future,” stated the MCN Scholarship Pageant Committee.
As the pageant drew to a close, the outgoing Miss MCN, Aholoce Deere, gave a farewell. During her speech, she spoke about her chauffeur, Dominic Reeves Williams, who took her everywhere she needed to go.
“Without him, I would not be here today, like, actually, he drove me to my pageant and here. He drove me everywhere. Whether it be at the grounds, the city, the store for snacks, for three hours, or 30 minutes,” Deere said. “I thank him for always being there, in the car, the parking lot, high school, band, and in my life (except that one time at Green Corn when he forgot me).”
She wrote in her speech about her pageant journey, “Remember I’m growING not growN. To my royalty committee, Gabby Noriega and the lovely committee members alongside her. I thank you for supporting me even BEFORE I won. I couldn’t have made it through without Amy’s forward thinking, Johnnie Sue’s lighthearted attitude, Nate Wilson’s loving nature, LuAnn’s ability to make it happen (even if she gets cryptic) and Gabby’s willingness to succeed. So for the last time, Hesci stoken ares Aholoce Deere cvhocefkvtos. I am your 2025-2026 Miss Muscogee (Creek) Nation Aholoce Deere, thank you. Epofvnkv mvto cekacitos. Mvto Cehecares. Mvte kossen maket mvto. That is all I have to say, thank you.”
These announcements of each category were made on June 7 at the Scholarship Pageant
Best Self Presentation:
Miss- Mercedes Dunn
Jr. Miss-Nevaeh Kelly
Best Written Word:
Miss- Alina Harjo
Jr Miss-Nevaeh Kelly
Best Communication:
Miss- Myra Deerinwater
Jr. Miss- Madison Gifford
Best Stage Presence:
Miss- Mercedes Dunn
Jr. Miss-Jayleigh Harjo
Best Cultural Presentation:
Miss-Mercedes Dunn
Jr. Miss-Jayleigh Harjo
Miss Congeniality:
Miss-Mercedes Dunn
