Comanche Nation Princess Hosts Toy Drive

Royalty from across the state gathered at the Apache Community Building in Apache, Oklahoma, on Thursday, August 29, for a night of royalty and a toy drive.

Comanche Nation Princess Bluesky Tosee hosted the event, which was intended to get to know other royalty and support the girls in need at Riverside Indian School.

“I can get to know them, and we can all kind of mingle and like get to know each other. And then also we asked the princesses if they were able if they could bring a Barbie doll or maybe something girly for young children, young girls, and so they could, the stuff that they bring will take it to Riverside Indian School,” she said. “Because their little girls’ dorm, they don't have anything, and so once my grandma had heard that and she let me know, we were like, we both kind of agreed on ‘Okay, we should do something,’ so we were going between a toy drive or what we could do, and she's like ‘Well why don't we have a night of royalty?’ I was like, ‘Okay, I was like, well, that's a good idea,’ so my grandma was really, she was the one who heard it first, and that's kind of what tonight is about.”

Tosee said it’s important because it shows more of what it means to be a princess.

“It shows that when you're a princess, you're not only just standing here looking pretty and having the title and wearing the banner and having the crown, but it's also showing that we also want to give back, and I feel like this is a really good representation of how we can give back and how important it is as princesses,” she said. “You know, young girls always want to, ‘I want to be a princess when I grow up,’ and so I think that's really, that's really going to be a big thing that they'll remember one day, and maybe even they'll find out who their people are and really want to be a princess for them.”

Tosee said it also shows how a princess can help people.

“I invited the local princesses, and well, really, as we got it out there as many princesses want to come, so we have princesses from southwestern Oklahoma, northwestern Oklahoma, southeastern, northeastern, and it's just it's really good to see everybody from all over come and join in one place for a good cause,” she said. “And then we get to see each other and not only on the powwow trail, but in general and dress up and have a good night.”

Tosee said without her family, the event wouldn’t be possible.

“They do so much more than just bringing stuff and helping set up, you know. There's a lot that goes into it that nobody sees, and like I said, if it wasn't for my grandma hearing that and our communication as family, I really think that's a big thing that shows how much can get done and how much we can give back,” she said. “And so, I really appreciate my family and friends.”

The night was filled with introductions, games and dances.