Comanche Nation Tribal Members Elect New Princesses

On Saturday, April 13, Comanche Nation Princess Election and Powwow took place at Watchetaker Hall, where tribal members could elect new royalty.

Past Comanche Nation Princesses McKenzi Sovo and Vivien Parker said farewell to the nation.

Former Comanche Indian Veterans Association Princess Arlene Schonchin was elected the Comanche Nation Jr. Princess.

“It feels so amazing. I got to see a lot of people who have supported me, and I saw my family who have traveled out of state to come see me,” she said.

Former Comanche Nation Jr. Princess Bluesky Tosee would win the election for Comanche Nation Princess.

“It felt like so, I don't even know the words to explain it,” she said. “It felt so awesome and amazing because I knew at that moment I had carried on my family's legacy of my aunts and my grandmas from generations ago that had been princess, and now I finally get to do that.”

To get her name out there, Schonchin handed out snacks at powwows and attended hand games.

She said that being crowned was an emotional moment for her.

“I just kept on crying and smiling, but overall, I was really happy and excited,” Schonchin said.

She said she plans to represent the Comanche people to the best of her ability.

“I want to be a positive role model for our younger Comanche girls and also our youth and tell them that, ‘Anything you put your mind to, you can do it,’” Schonchin said.

Tosee said her platform is to focus on native youth.

“Get them back into knowing what it means and actually do what it means and to really have the heart to want to do it and then also get them back learning their language,” she said.

Schonchin said her biggest supporters have been her family.

“My aunties, for sure. They help me with my hospitality table,” she said. “They [got] me dressed. They watch over me and also my mom and my dad and my brother. Just all my family in general.”

Tosee said her family was also her biggest supporter.

“My whole family, really, but my dad, my grandma, my aunts and my grandpa,” she said. "They really have been there the whole step of the way with getting my regalia ready and getting me ready and even just being there every step of the way, whether it's at the powwow or literally right next to me.”

Schonchin wanted to thank everyone who voted for the candidates, not just herself.

“Every vote counts, and I'm so glad I got to know the other candidates,” she said. “Because they are so nice, and I'm excited to share my reign with Bluesky."

Tosee said the candidates had great camaraderie.

“The first time we came here, I was talking with all the other candidates, and we were excited,” she said. “It was good. It was good like competition like we all knew whatever the outcome was, we were all still going to be friends and still hang out and still love each other just as much as we did when we first met.”

Tosee also said the candidates were supportive even after she won her title.

“I'm so grateful that the candidates were so they were so okay with it, like…they had a good attitude,” she said. “And they weren't rude or anything, and it just really changes the competition.”