Elwha Watershed Information Resource

The Elwha Warrior Royalty Contest is an annual event that celebrates the Elwha culture and highlights the talents of some of the Tribe’s remarkable youth.  

There are four winners per contest. There is a Warrior King and Queen and a Warrior Prince and Princess. To qualify, the contestants must be between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five for the Warrior King and Queen Contest, while the contestants for the Warrior Prince and Princess are between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. The contestants must compete in an essay contest (before the actual contest), a talent show, a question and answer session, a questionnaire (before the actual contest), and sell raffle tickets. Once they win the contest, they must be involved in community projects (such as the annual Community Halloween Party), must stay drug and alcohol free, set a positive example for others, speak at tribal events and canoe journeys, and participate in the Elwha Dance Group.

Judging for the competition changes with each contest, and judges cannot be related to the current contestants. Although the Elwha Klallam community is very small, and choosing judges can be difficult at times, it is never assumed that a judge will be the same. In 2007, the selcted judges were the 9th Miss Indian U.S.A. Tleena Ives, Brenda D. Francis, age 30, and Elder/Vice-Chair Phil Charles, Jr. In 2006, the judges were Melaine Wheeler who is a teen, Wendy Sampson, a Language teacher in her 20s, and Serena Barkley, the Tribe's Chief Financial Officer who is in her 40s.

In 2005, contestants competed for the Elwha Royalty Contest, the first in 22 years. Contestants ran for King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. Photographed here: Vanna Francis, Roger Tenoco, Lazaro Tenoco, Rosalene Boyd, Rena Francis, and Randy Gonzales. Photograph taken July 2005. Credit: Culture Program

Being the Elwha Warrior Queen was not an easy task. The royalty had to compete in a talent show, write a speech, and participate in community events once crowned. Rena Francis, Elwha Warrior Queen in 2005, made many speeches at different events. Photograph taken 8/1/06. Credit: Alicia Greenway

Participating in community events is a significant part of the royal duties of the crowned Elwha Warriors. When the tribe hosted the 2005 Paddle to Elwha, ruling Warrior Queen Rena Francis (right) made appearances and also gave speeches at several different events. Princess Leilani Barkley helped deliver the welcoming speeches for the Paddle to Elwha and, along with other young Elwha girls, invited some of the canoes to come ashore. Credit: Alicia Greenway