Chickasaw Princesses have a history going back generations within the Chickasaw Nation. The first was 1963’s Ranell (James) Harry of Tulsa, Oklahoma. During her reign, she had many responsibilities and duties, including representing the Chickasaw Nation during U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inaugural parade.
Harry is the daughter of former Chickasaw Nation Governor Overton James and Evelyn James. Her tenure as Chickasaw Princess occurred before the Chickasaw Princess Pageant began, when it was decided that Chickasaw Princesses would reign for one-year intervals.
The Chickasaw Princess Pageant takes place every year during the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival to select tribal ambassadors of friendship and goodwill.
The Little Miss Chickasaw title was added to the Chickasaw Princess Program in 1989, and the program added the Chickasaw Jr. Princess title in 1994.
The Chickasaw Princess, Chickasaw Jr. Princess and Little Miss Chickasaw candidates selected as these ambassadors travel to more than 40 events across multiple states to represent the Chickasaw Nation.
Former Chickasaw Princess Program titleholders include: