Native Americans in North Texas walk in the opening fashion show

On a chilly Saturday afternoon, North Texans strolled through the AT&T Discovery District campus in flowing ribbon dresses, round-rimmed glasses, jeans and buckskin.

The inaugural fashion show was held last weekend at the Native American Heritage Month Powwow hosted by the AT&T Employee Inter-Tribal Council. About 40 contestants aged 3 to 60 competed for prizes such as a new S22 phone by fashion show co-sponsor Samsung.

Rachel Salinas, national president of the Inter-Tribal Council of AT&T Employees, said a fashion show with streetwear and traditional wear categories is important to the powwow this year because it challenges how people view Native Americans.

“A lot of people have stereotypes about what Native Americans look like and what we wear,” she said. “So I think showing our fashion and our people will help break down stereotypes and bring more visibility to our community.”

Salinas, Man Lipan Apache, fashion show gives community members the opportunity to represent the unique clothing styles of their tribe. There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the US.

Grand prize winner Julianne Reeves won an S22 phone after the Kiowa and Comanche dance and wore a traditional buckskin dress with colors of yellow, white, red and green representing her various heritages.

Tana Clemons of Chickasaw won first place in the streetwear category in a red ribbon dress and denim jacket to bring attention to the issue of missing and murdered Native Americans.

Kathryn Burr of the Jemez Pueblo tribe of New Mexico won in the traditional costume category.

The 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month Powwow was held at the AT&T Discovery District... — The 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month Powwow was held at the AT&T Discovery District in Dallas on November 19, 2022 and included an inaugural fashion show. (Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Grand prize winner Julianne Reeves wearing Kiowa and Comanche traditional bucks... — Grand prize winner Julianne Reeves wore a buckskin dress with yellow, white, red and green colors representing her diverse Kiowa and Comanche heritage.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Phyllis Nuno participates in a modern fashion show.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

For the first time, the fashion show was part of this year's Native American Heritage Month... — For the first time, the fashion show was part of this year’s Native American Heritage Month Pow. (Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Ribbons are spun during the Native American Heritage Month Powwow.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Dance was a featured event at the 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month Powwow.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

The fashion competition was a first for downtown Dallas.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Adriana Hernandez, 13, participates in the traditional part of the fashion show.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Rylan Wilson, 5, walks the runway. — 5-year-old Rylan Wilson walks the runway.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Dresses with many colors were a popular fashion choice.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

Monica Campesca and daughter Audrey Soto, 7, at the traditional... — Monica Campesca and daughter Audrey Soto, 7, were finalists in the traditional portion of the fashion show.(Alison Slomowitz / Special Contributor)

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