Founders
Founders
The Miss Indigenous Pageant was founded by two visionary women, Cherokee and Tana, whose passion, resilience, and dedication have paved the way for a new era of representation. As Indigenous women themselves, they saw a need for a platform that uplifts Native youth, celebrates cultural pride, and redefines beauty on Indigenous terms. Their legacy is more than a pageant—it’s a movement of identity, unity, and pride.
Cherokee Greendeer - Co Founder
Cherokee Greendeer is a proud daughter of the late George Greendeer (Oneida/Ho-Chunk) and Charlene Greendeer (Cherokee Nation), currently residing on the Oneida Nation Reservation. For over 25 years, she has passionately owned and operated a successful business dedicated to empowering young women and helping them discover their path in life.
She is the founder of Green Bay Elite, an award-winning all-star cheerleading gym located on tribal land. Under her leadership, the program has earned major accolades including medals at the USASF World Championships, D1 Summit victories, and multiple national championships. For Cherokee, the greatest reward remains seeing her athletes grow into confident, successful young women.
Her pageant background includes the titles of Little Miss Cherokee, Miss Indian Wisconsin, and 1st Runner-Up to Miss Indian World. As a former American Indian poster child, she also performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She remains active in pageantry today, volunteering as a chaperone for young women competing in Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
In her free time, Cherokee enjoys traveling, round dancing, and powwowing with her family. She is honored to support the next generation of Indigenous leaders across Wisconsin through mentorship, culture, and community pride.
Tana Aguirre – Co-Founder
Tana Aguirre ( Yako?neka'kw^, meaning, She picks up water) is a citizen of the Oneida Nation Wisconsin who brings a lifetime of leadership, advocacy, and community service to the Miss Indigenous Pageant Wisconsin & USA. Crowned Miss Oneida in 2000, Tana’s journey in cultural representation began early and has since evolved into a career dedicated to uplifting Native voices at every level.
She has served as a Committee Member on the Oneida Nation’s Royalty Committee and has worked for the Oneida Nation for over 24 years, currently serving as a lobbyist in the Intergovernmental Affairs Department. Her commitment to education and youth empowerment is reflected in her volunteer service with the Green Bay Public School District’s Title VI Parent Advisory Committee, supporting Native students and families.
Beyond her public service, Tana is also an entrepreneur. Together with her husband, she co-owns Standing Stone Realty, a Native-owned business committed to helping families find home and stability. For 15 years, she also served on the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Council, ensuring Indigenous perspectives had a seat at the table in shaping local policy.
Tana’s work is rooted in culture, community, and connection — values that are at the heart of this pageant and the young women it seeks to uplift.