Hi, I’m Rachel,

Hi, I’m Rachel Evangelisto. I have had the privilege of becoming the first-ever Indigenous Miss Minnesota in June of 2022. I’m an enrolled member of the Húŋkpapha Standing Rock Oyate and an honors graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris, with a B.A. in Political Science with an emphasis in Law. Since becoming involved in the Miss America Organization at the age of 13, I’ve earned over $30,000 in scholarships to put towards my education and was able to graduate debt-free. I’ve recently been accepted into law school to obtain my Juris Doctorate in Native American Law through the Native American Law & Sovereignty Institute at Mitchell Hamline School of Law as a Native Justice Fellow. After I graduate, I hope to be a legal force and advocate for Indigenous youth and families under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) while bringing Indigenous Representation to the legal field in Minnesota.

As a young Lakota girl, I often felt a negative stigma surrounding Native American people in my community and that there was only so much I could achieve in life because I am Indigenous. Through the Miss America Organization, I found a platform where I can use my voice to correct the negative stereotypes I encountered and celebrate my culture proudly. Ultimately, my own experiences and passion for cultural advocacy became my social impact initiative, Celebrating Culture & Driving Diversity. This three-part initiative seeks to 1. educate the public about contemporary Native Americans, 2. engage Americans in open dialogue regarding racial inequality, and 3. empower all to drive diversity and be agents of change.

For the past three years, I’ve worked as an ICWA Guardian ad litem in Minnesota, where I represented and advocated for the best interests of Native American Youth involved in child protection and foster care cases. I discovered a need for cultural connection programs within Minnesota through this profession. As a result, I founded the “Little Warriors” doll project to support Native youth and families involved in the child protection system. Beyond that, I’ve partnered with state and national sponsors to elevate Indigenous Representation across the country. From Racial Justice Facilitation meetings, amplifying Native voices through the IndigeChat series, and hosting self-defense classes in low-income areas, I aim to leave a lasting impact of real and effective change wherever I go.

I will change the false narrative surrounding Native People to ensure that there is a future where every Indigenous child has the opportunity to succeed and not face the challenges I did. False narratives and Indigenous invisibility have harmful and long-term effects that normalize bias, discrimination, and racism. I’m grateful to have the platform of Miss Minnesota to carry out my service initiatives. In addition, the scholarship awards I have received through the Miss America Organization will allow me to continue creating real change in the world long after my year as Miss Minnesota.