Jolyana Begay Kroupa
Author
Jolyana Begay Kroupa
Jolyana Begay-Kroupa, is originally from Ts’iłdiilyésiitah (Rabbitbrush) near Fort Defiance, AZ. She is Navajo (Diné) born into Tachii’nii (Red Running into the Water People) and born for Tsinaajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Her maternal grandfathers are Yé’ii Dine’é Táchii’nii (Giant People of the Red Running into the Water People). Jolyana honorably served as the 50th Miss Navajo Nation (2001-2002) and currently resides in the Phoenix-Metro area where she is a Director of Development for Phoenix Indian Center. She has a Masters of Arts in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education – emphasis in American Indian Education Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She currently teaches Navajo language classes at Arizona State University and Stanford University. She has also taught for Harvard University and Yale University. Jolyana is married and has three beautiful children
Books by Jolyana Begay Kroupa
Becoming Miss Navajo
Miss Navajo is a quintessential representation of her culture and serves as an ambassador for her people promoting education, community well-being, and the preservation of language and traditional life ways.
Contestants endure a week-long competition as they are tested on their fluency in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language), demonstrate traditional skills, perform contemporary talents, and engage in food preparation. Jolyana Begay-Kroupa shares her journey to becoming Miss Navajo Nation in this inspiring children’s book filled with pictures from the 2001 Miss Navajo Nation Competition.
With the release of Diné Bich’eekę’ Yishłeeh, Jolyana’s inspiring story is told entirely in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language) to promote the importance of Navajo language in culture and in literature. It is Salina Bookshelf’s first publication of an entire story told in the language and serves to be a milestone in promoting Diné culture and language, a pivotal role of Miss Navajo Nation and Salina Bookshelf.
Diné Bich’eekę’ Yishłeeh “Becoming Miss Navajo (Navajo version)”
As a little girl, Jolyana Begay-Kroupa dreamed of becoming Miss Navajo. After years of learning the language, culture, and traditions, her chance finally comes to take on the important role. The skills she learned help her in tough competitions but will they be enough to earn her the crown of Miss Navajo? Witness the inspiring true story of what it takes to become Miss Navajo and how the competition is only the beginning, told entirely in Diné Bizaad (the Navajo Language)