Delaware Tribal Princess Program

Young women of descent from the Delaware Tribe of Indians are able to become a respected ambassador for the Tribe. Candidates must be 13-21 years of age. We encourage our young women to apply and represent our Tribe in an elegant manner while participating in our cultural traditions and speaking on current issues effecting American Indians and their communities. Additional qualifications are required to be considered. Candidates are responsible for reviewing qualifications and submitting all required documentation, which can be found on this page.

Applications will open on May 15th and will close on August 31st each year.

Guidelines and Code of Conduct

As the Delaware Tribal Princess, you serve as a Delaware Tribal Ambassador. You represent yourself, your family, your community, and your tribe. You must be respectful of others at all times and follow the guidelines and conduct code below.

As the Delaware Tribal Princess:

  • You must be an enrolled member or descendant of the Delaware Tribe of Indians. A Tribal roll number will be required (personal, parent, or grandparent).
  • You must be a current student in junior high, high school, college, or vo-tech and be between the ages of 13-21.
  • You will conduct yourself in a respectable and virtuous manner at all times (refraining from the use of alcohol, drugs, smoking, use of profane language, and public displays of affection and/or outbursts of any kind).
  • You will be courteous and respectful to Delaware Tribal committee/employees assisting in the organization of your duties and events. Profanity or abusive behavior towards others will not be tolerated.
  • You will be expected to participate in all relevant functions, meetings and Delaware Tribal current events as possible during your term as Princess. Some of these may be out of town or state.
  • You will be expected to attend quarterly meetings held by the committee and your presence may be requested at additional meetings as needed.
  • You must be able to attend in person for the crowning of you as Princess, and the passing of the Crown to the next Princess the following year. This will be held each November at General Council.
  • You are responsible for all personal belongings and any items received from the Delaware Tribe must be returned at the end of your reign. Any items not returned must be paid for by the outgoing Princess and/or her family.
  • You must be able to give a greeting in the Lenape language.
  • You must know how to perform all appropriate dances or be willing to learn them.
  • You will be encouraged to attend Delaware Tribal events, including cultural classes, language classes, and the dances that are scheduled.
  • Your reign will be for one year, unless your title should be terminated sooner based upon violations of this code of conduct.
  • During your reign, you must not cohabitate, marry, or become pregnant. In the event you are unable or unwilling to complete your reign, the Delaware Tribal Princess Committee will determine who should take over the reign.

*If the Delaware Tribal Princess titleholder should not comply with the above stated requirements, she may be subject to termination of the title. The deciding body shall be the Delaware Tribal Princess Committee.

Incoming & Outgoing Ceremonies
The Delaware Tribe will host an incoming and outgoing ceremony during General Council to honor the incoming and outgoing princesses. You may be asked to assist with fundraisers needed to support the cost of these events. If a giveaway is chosen at the end of the princess’s reign, it will be the responsibility of the princess and her family to provide these gifts.

The Crown
The Crown received by you must be kept in good, clean condition. It cannot be altered in any way. You must notify ahosey@delawaretribe.org from the Delaware Tribal Princess Committee immediately should the crown become lost or damaged. The crown is intended to pass from princess to princess through the coming years. You must return the crown at the end of your reign. You will participate in the crowning of the new princess who follows you.

*It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian and the selected princess for the replacement of the crown in case of loss or damage.

Traditional Dress
During your reign as “Delaware Tribal Princess” you must wear traditional Delaware clothing and/or contemporary Native Fashion (e.g. ribbon skirt) and banner in public appearances. You may not wear the regalia of another tribe at all during your reign. The Delaware Princess Committee will provide the princess her sash/banner, shawl, and the comb/crown. In addition, a onetime stipend of $1500 will be awarded to help with the cost of regalia and/or travel expenses.

Delaware Tribal Princess Application Criteria

All candidates who apply for Princess must be an enrolled member or a descendent of an
enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma and:

  • Be female, 13-21 years of age, never have been married and never have been pregnant.
  • Have knowledge of Delaware culture, history, and traditional customs, or be willing to learn.
  • Ability to participate in events requested by the committee including relevant functions, cultural events, and Delaware Tribal events during your term as Princess. Some of these may be out of town or state.
  • Capability to attend in-person quarterly meetings held by the committee. Also, your presence may be requested at additional meetings as needed.
  • Willingness to seek out and participate in additional events of the princess’s choosing is highly encouraged.
  • Have no juvenile or adult criminal history and/or record.
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from any of the following: Local Chapter Officials, Clergy, Academic Counselors, Community Leaders, etc. Note: No letters written by personal family members or friends will be accepted.
  • Submit a color self-portrait.
  • Submit a short biography, not exceeding one page.
  • Be able to participate in radio and media interviews scheduled by The Delaware Tribe.
  • In the event a candidate is registered for and called for active duty with any military service, a secondary will step in to assume the position of princess.

*Regardless if the applicant is out-of-state (at-large), the eligibility requirements still apply.

Application

Applications can be submitted online or by email. To submit by email please download the application PDF, print and complete the form, and then scan the completed form along with requested supplemental materials to ahosey@delawaretribe.org. Please use the subject line “[Your Name] 2024 Delaware Tribal Princess Application” to ensure proper receipt of your application. The main application may also be completed online on the form below, but applicants will still need to submit the supplemental materials via email.

For any questions about the Program or application, please contact Quay Hosey by email ahosey@delawaretribe.org or by phone at (918) 397-2860.

Delaware Tribal Princess Application Web Form (opens in a new tab)
Delaware Tribal Princess Application PDF (opens in a new tab)