Comanche Nation Bids Farewell to Princess McKenzi Sovo

The Comanche Nation said farewell to outgoing Princess McKenzi Sovo on Saturday, March 9, at the Comanche County Fairgrounds in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Sovo said her most significant accomplishments during her reign were being able to travel and learn about Comanche history and Native Americans.

“It's been a very heartfelt teaching moment for myself, and I think one of my biggest accomplishments is getting this title to be able to go to for that and I'm beyond proud of myself, and I'm thankful to the Comanche people for allowing me to represent them,” she said.

Sovo said going to powwows was one of her favorite parts of being a princess.

“Before my title, I wasn't as into powwows. I mean, I've always been into powwows, of course, but I took a long break and getting back into the group of powwows it really made me feel good, and it made me find the love in powwows and being Native American again,” she said.

Sovo said she has also made many friendships and said they’d continue after her reign.

“It's almost like a sisterhood. It's not so much of, ‘Oh, she's my best friend; she’s my friend.’ It's more of like a princess sisterhood, and I claim these people as my sisters and my family, and I know they're never going to go anywhere, and I'm going to have them by my side so forever, I hope you know,” she said.

Sovo said it was emotional to dance in the arena by herself.

“It's very emotional,” she said. “I think the hardest part is dancing around the arena, and as I pass the people behind the benches, they all lulu when I pass by them, and I think that's the most heartfelt part of it all, and it really makes me understand how much these people are appreciative of me and how much good I have done for our nation and I'm proud of myself for being able to represent our Comanche people in that way.”

The powwow featured a Chiefs Game during dinner, a Bear Dance and a family special, which, according to Sovo, was a long list.

“Because there's a lot of people for us to thank. A lot of people have impacted me and said multiple things to me during my reign, and even with as long of a list as we had, it was still very hard to thank everyone and I mean, we're gonna probably go home and think, ‘Oh we forgot this person,’ but I think we did our best,” she said. “We did as best as we could to thank every single person that we could think of and I mean it's just, it's there's just been such an outpour of love during my reign. We just had to thank as many people as we could.That's why our giveaway was so long and it was, it was, it's good though. It felt good to give away to all the people that we did.”

Sovo brought some of her Cheyenne heritage to the powwow by giving away table sets.

“I'm Comanche, of course, but I'm also Cheyenne on my mom's side, and I don't really know a lot about my Cheyenne traditions and cultures, and I'd always love to learn more, and a lot of my Cheyenne family had came down, and they helped a lot with explaining why we did the tables and what exactly it was meant for, and it means a lot that we could showcase this side of us because I mean, I didn't get to showcase it at all this year,” she said.

Sovo said she’s proud to be Cheyenne as much as she is Comanche.

She said she felt emotional and happy being at the powwow.

“I am overwhelmed. I am very appreciative to how many people came out in support of me today and honoring me. And it really means a lot, and I'm really thankful that I got this opportunity to represent the Comanche Nation for a year. And I'm more than thankful to see how many people came to my powwow just to honor me. And I didn't expect this many people and to see how many people love and care for me and really respect me,” Sovo said. “It warms my heart because I didn't realize I had such an impact on everyone, but I'm very ecstatic about today. It's very bittersweet because I hate to leave the Numunu people. I know I'm not leaving for good, but it's just I hate to not represent them like I used to. And I'm also happy because I get to join the Comanche Nation Princess Sorority, so I'm excited to be a part of the Princess Sorority definitely, but I think it's just very bittersweet. It's very bittersweet.”

She gave a speech at her powwow thanking her family, including those she’s lost and those who have supported her.

“I would just like to thank the Comanche Nation for electing me as their ambassador,” Sovo said. “A year ago, I was very nervous walking into this, and I didn't think I would be at the spot that I am today, but I'm very thankful for everything that God has put me through during this year, and I'm thankful for all the opportunities that have come about, and I can't be any more thankful to everyone, and I hope everyone makes it home safe tonight and I just want to say thank you again to the Comanche Nation, and I love you.”

Comanche Nation Jr. Princess Vivien Parker, Apache Princess Amya Bonilla-Harris and Kiowa Princess Kyla Tsoodle, as well as other royalty, organizations and the community, gathered for the occasion.