FORT HALL â€” Two candidates are vying for the title of Miss Sho-Ban 2013. They are Naivitsi Yabeney, age 18, and Taylor Thomas, 20.
The young ladies presented their talents Tuesday evening at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel.
Both used history passed on to them from their grandfathers to develop their talents.
Yabeney explained what a teepee represents and the construction of it.
"The teepee represents a woman's womb," she said. "The outer flaps represent the upraised arms of a woman.
"It was the women's job to set up camp and take it down," said Yabeney.
Thomas used oral history to tell how indigenous people became great horsemen and horse thieves.
As the story goes, the man who was brave enough to wrestle a skeleton was given the power to stay hidden, like a skeleton, and so became a great horse thief.
"Stories are very important to our people because we share our history orally," said Thomas.
Each contestant answered questions posed to them.
One question was, What is your definition of success?
"Setting your goals high," said Yabeney. "Aim high and achieve that high goal."
"Success is based on our own standards," said Thomas. "Happiness is pulled from within but not sought."
The Annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival continues today with these events:
Â° The 14th annual Shoshonean Reunion from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the hotel.
Â° Indian Relay Races begin at 1 p.m. at the rodeo.
Â° The Community Buffalo Feast starts at 5 p.m. at the Festival Arbor.