8 SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 Smoke Signals Tribal member named Mrs. Oregon American By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer Tribal member Brittny Frederick says she never imagined being in the running for the Mrs. Oregon American title, let alone the na- tional crown. “I absolutely did not think I would be on the stage here,” she says. “I joined the pageant program to bring awareness to the opioid epi- demic and to bring the community together.” In July, the 33-year-old Beaver- ton resident was crowned Mrs. Or- egon American at the state pageant in Salem. From there, it was a quick turnaround to the national pageant held in the Westgate Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 19. “It was such an incredible expe- rience,” she says. “I wasn’t nervous until I actually walked on stage in front of so many people.” At the national pageant, Freder- ick competed with 46 women from across the United States in the categories of fitness, evening gown and an interview. Frederick’s journey began in 2021 after a social media post about not letting trauma get in the way of letting your future unfold caught the eyes of the then-reigning 2020 Mrs. Oregon American, Salena Griffith, who contacted Frederick and asked if she’d ever considered doing pageants. During a 2021 Smoke Signals interview, after she’d been named Mrs. Washington County, Frederick reflected on that initial experience. “I was like, ‘No way, I’m a mom, I’m married and is that even a thing for us?’ ” With a husband, three children ages 11, 3 and 1, as well as a full- time job, Frederick wasn’t sure if she could also juggle pageant obli- gations at that time. At the pageant, Frederick learned about Victoria’s Voice, an organiza- tion dedicated to keeping teenag- ers away from drug abuse. It was founded after a family lost their 18-year-old daughter, Victoria, to an opioid overdose. They believe that by Victoria’s death, thousands will be saved through their founda- tion that supports ways to reduce drug experimentation, addiction Photos courtesy of Brittny Frederick/ Gilliam Photography Tribal member Brittny Frederick was crowned Mrs. Oregon American in July. She decided to enter the pageant to bring awareness to the national opioid epidemic and as a way to bring the community together during the pandemic. and overdoses. “That really struck a chord with me,” Frederick says. “I didn’t real- ize it was that big of an aspect in the event and that there was so much community outreach. That’s when I decided to think about doing this. I wanted to get back to working with youth.” As a teen and young adult grow- ing up in Grand Ronde, she worked for the Tribe’s Youth Education De- partment and the Native Wellness Institute as a facilitator, educating other youth about healthy alterna- tives to using drugs and alcohol. “Growing up in a small town, I saw drug overdoses a lot and it has also affected my own family,” Fred- erick says. “My overall plan was to do community outreach to make Oregon a healthier place, whether that means food boxes for families, having Narcan (an anti-overdose spray) available or helping cancer survivors.” Frederick decided to apply for Mrs. Washington County, the first step to becoming Mrs. Oregon American. During that time, some events were canceled or scaled down due to the COVID-19 pan- demic, but Frederick still had the cultural education A re you missing out on what Cultural Education has to offer? Follow us on Facebook to get detailed class information, photos from events, and updates. Plus, check out the tribal calendar for a quick glance of upcoming events and classes. Open to Tribal and Community members. Join us! Search Facebook for Grand Ronde Cultrual Education Tribal Calendar // www.grandronde.org/tribal-calendar Tribal member Brittny Frederick wears her 100-year-old traditional regalia during a portion of the national Mrs. American pageant held at the Westgate Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Friday, Aug. 19. “If you asked me what I was most excited about for the pageant it was this part. I got to show a major part of who I am, and where I came from,” she said. opportunity to work with several nonprofits representing a number of causes, attended the St. Paul Rodeo, Hillsboro Rotary 4th of July Parade and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund’s 25th anniver- sary celebration in July. The statewide pageant in July involved a panel interview, then a dance, fitness, evening gown and onstage question portion. When Frederick was named the 2022 win- ner, she was happy and surprised. “I had no idea so many incredible women would be there,” she says. “I was pretty nervous about it, but kept my nerves at bay by having as much fun as possible.” Mrs. America was established in 1976 to honor married women throughout the United States. Each contestant represents one of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and participants range in age from their 20s to their 50s. Participants earn the right to participate in the national event by winning their state competition. Frederick hasn’t served as Mrs. Oregon for long, but she’s excited about representing her Tribe at the state level for the next year. During the national competition in August, she wore her traditional regalia and enjoyed the opportunity to share information about what the Grand Ronde Tribe does for the people of Oregon. Frederick’s Tribal roots come from her father, Dennis Linton, grandfather Thomas Linton and great-grandmother Geraldine “Toots” Mercier. “I feel it is such an honor to rep- resent my Tribe,” she says. “I feel so proud and happy, and I enjoy the opportunity to let people know we are still here. I’m very thankful.” Are you frustrated with your diabetes control? Do you have questions about diabetes? Do you need help managing your diabetes? If so… Call the Medical Clinic today at 503-879-2002 To schedule an individual diabetes education appointment