At the photo shoot, hair and make-up artist Crystal Williams (Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana) prepares model Elly Mossett (Hidatsa/Mandan) for her close-up.

Once again, portion of sales to cancer research

by Jim Bailey

Rez Dog Clothing Company has once again turned their creative juices loose and come up with their annual Indian Beauties Calendar. They held a photo shoot in early August at the Lac du Flambeau Reservation and put out a product with photos of stunning female models that could not be topped.

The women selected to appear in this year’s calendar were chosen for their brains as well as their beauty. Twelve female models, including one from Lac du Flambeau (LdF) itself, were photographed at various locations on or near LdF for Rez Dog’s calendar that highlighted the area’s scenic beauty and recreational possibilities.

Patricia “Sweetie” Wiggins, a member of the LdF Tribe, was one of the models featured in the calendar. Although she had no previous modeling experience, she had appeared in Lake of the Torches Guest First commercials. Sweetie was chosen from among 100 applications from across the nation.

The other models involved range from a pre-med student to an actress who has appeared on television shows such as CSI, ER and JAG. Each model has a list of accomplishments that qualified her to be chosen as one of the models for the calendar shoot.

The Rez Dog Clothing Company that produces and distributes this calendar merchandizes a line of clothing that has become increasingly popular among Native American youths.

The name “rez dog” comes from the image of the reservation dog – a tough survivor. The company prides itself on portraying this idea and a sense of community in its clothing. Owners of the company thought of the idea for the swimsuit calendar several years ago, based on shirts that Rez Dog produces with the slogan “Property of Rez Dog Bikini Team.” A portion of the money raised from calendar sales is donated to support Native American cancer research.

The models:

Amanda Robison, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Oklahoma who is currently studying advertising in their College of Journalism and Mass Communications. A member of the Cheyenne Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, she will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, after which she hopes to continue her education at OU, seeking a master’s degree in advertising.

Ashley Harris, a 19-year-old Comanche and Sac and Fox from Ft. Cobb, Oklahoma, began modeling at the age of 15. She aspires to model professionally. She is an incoming freshman at Southwestern University in Weatherford, Oklahoma, where she will major in physical therapy and minor in theater.

Autumn Day, a 21-year-old human biology major and pre-med student at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. She is a member of the Leech Lake Chippewa Band at Bemidji, Minnesota.

Christy Duthu, a 23-year-old member of the United Houma Nation from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, received a bachelor of science degree in geography from Louisiana State University in 2003. She is currently employed by the LSU Foundation as administrative assistant to the vice president. She is returning to LSU this semester to work on a second degree in mathematics, and plans to pursue a career in meteorology. One of her hobbies is tornado chasing.

Dorian Vandergriff is a 25-year-old Shawnee, Pawnee and Delaware from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, enrolled in the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Dorian is working on a business administration degree at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, and is the administrative assistant housing director there. She is a former Miss Indian Territory 2000, as well as Loyal Shawnee Tribal Princess 2000. Dorian is happily married to her high school sweetheart, has two dogs, and enjoys lifting weights and spending time with her family.

Elly Mossett is 21 years old and hails from Twin Buttes, North Dakota. She is a resident of the Fort Berthold Reservation (Three Affiliated Tribes – Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara). She is both Hidatsa and Mandan. Elly is currently working toward her business administration degree at Fort Berthold Community College, with plans of transferring to either the University of North Dakota or Haskell Indian Nations University. She also works part time tutoring high school students at New Town High School. It is her goal to one day start her own business in North Dakota.

Gya Watson is 27 years old. She grew up in a military family and, therefore, had the privilege of traveling and living throughout the world all of her life. She is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Nation, and has reigned as Miss Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen in 2002, and as National Miss Indian Nations in 2003. She is the current World Indigenous Delegate for the National YMCA. She looks forward to graduating from Arizona State University this December with a degree in political science and religious studies. Following her graduation she plans to pursue a master’s degree in mass communications and a doctorate in public administration. Volunteer work for the World YMCA is an important part of her life.

Kimberly Hunt, a 25-year-old from Pembroke, North Carolina, comes from the land of the Lumbee. She majored in theater and dance performance at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she currently lives while pursuing her dream of becoming an actress. Kimberly studied acting at the British American Drama Academy in London, England. She is certified in stage combat and sword fighting.

Lynsay Tomow is 18 years old and lives on the Menominee Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin. She recently graduated from Shawano High School, where she was active in volleyball, basketball and softball. She has joined the U.S. Air Force and was shipped out in September.

Patricia “Sweetie” Wiggins is a 19-year-old Ojibwa who grew up on the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in northern Wisconsin. She currently works as a security guard at the Lake of the Torches Casino, and has been featured in commercials promoting the hotel and casino. Sweetie loves running, and was selected to travel and compete in Spain and France as part of the USA high school track team. Her goals include attending college and studying Native American culture and foreign languages.

Sarah Sawyer is a 22-year-old member of the Isleta Pueblo in New Mexico. She lives in Prineville, Oregon, at the base of the Cascade Mountains. She recently received an associate of arts degree from Blue Mountain College in Pendleton, Oregon, and plans to attend their cosmetology school this fall. She loves the outdoors and animals, and rides her horses nearly every day.

Tanya Kleis is a 29-year-old member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe from Cass Lake, Minnesota. She lives in Mounds View, Minnesota, and is an accountant at an advertising agency in Minneapolis. She is currently working toward becoming a certified public accountant. She enjoys making jewelry, fishing the lakes and streams of Minnesota and learning her Ojibwe language and culture.