When Raven Swamp, a 23-year-old Mohawk woman, travelled from her home of Kahnawake, Que., to Albuquerque, N.M., for the Miss Indian World pageant, she wasn’t even expecting to compete.

Initially, she’d planned on going as a spectator, but changed her mind when she learned more about it.

“I was truly nervous,” she recalled. “I was intimidated by many of the other women because they were all title holders of their own communities from different pageants and competitions … And I personally never did anything like this.”

But she entered, and won.

“At the end of the (competition) I felt my confidence grow in such a way that I didn’t expect,” she said. “I felt more like I was part of a sisterhood of these contestants.”

Swamp, a teacher at a Mohawk immersion school, competed against women from across North America in one of the biggest pageants of its kind.

Unlike traditional pageants, Miss Indian World is not focused on beauty. Contestants compete in essays, interviews and public speaking on cultural knowledge, as well as by sharing a talent and traditional dance.

“Miss Indian World is one of the most prestigious honours in the Native American and indigenous world and the winner will serve as a role model for all Native Americans,” said Melonie Mathews, coordinator of the Miss Indian World Pageant, in a press release.

It took place during the annual Gathering of Nations Powwow, which is billed as the “world’s largest gathering of Native American and indigenous people.”

Swamp will spend the next year representing indigenous people as a cultural goodwill ambassador. She hopes to speak about language revitalization and indigenous food sovereignty.

“I’d like to promote native people to speak their language because it’s essential to who we are,” she said. “It connects us to our ancestors; it instils within us our world views.

Swamp said she was grateful to everyone in her community and outside it for their support and for helping to sponsor her so she could attend the pageant.

“I wouldn’t be here and I wouldn’t hold this title without them,” she said. “I just hope to represent them to the best of my ability and make them proud.”