Time stopped for Lexi Flint, as Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben draped a silky red sash over her torso on July 15. Standing on stage of the amphitheater at the 2026 Choctaw Indian Fair dressed in an indigo and white-detailed dress, Flint accepted a colorful, handwoven basket from her predecessor, Lexi Camille Rodriguez. Together, Ben and Rodriguez then lowered a crown onto Flint’s head, officially ordaining her as the 2026-2027 Choctaw Indian Princess.
Stepping forward in her traditional Choctaw regalia, Flint waved to the audience of people who gathered at the Neshoba County venue to observe the crowning. As the pageant came to a close, the crowd applauded the tribe’s new goodwill ambassador as photographers’ cameras flashed, documenting the occasion.
‘It’s Probably Not Me’
Flint comes from a successful line of Choctaw women. Her grandmother Phyliss J. Anderson, the first woman elected to serve as tribal chief back in 2011, was the 1977 Choctaw Indian Princess, and her kanomi (cousin) Bernadine Dixon was the Choctaw Indian Princess in 1981.
Ten contestants participated in the three-round contest that consisted of personal presentation, traditional-dress review and an on-stage interview.
Amidst the personal presentation portion of the contest, Flint opened with a song that sang “Chahta sia hokat am achukma,” which translates into “I am proud to be Choctaw.” Throughout this round Flint discussed her conflict with growing up Choctaw and not seeing people that carry her cultural roots displayed in history books or otherwise portrayed in a positive light.
“Growing up, I sat in classrooms where I learned about everyone else’s culture but never my own, and for a long time, I felt disconnected from who I was,” Flint said. “The only places I truly experienced Choctaw culture were at home and at church.”
Flint’s aver dedication to continuously pursuing a connection to her roots earned her the title of Miss Congeniality in the contest and cemented her as the winner of the first round.
“You know that meme where it’s Raquel and she’s like, ‘It’s probably not me.’ That’s literally how I felt for the first few awards because I did not expect those at all,” Flint said. “I don’t think there is a moment quite like that, that I’ve ever had in my whole life.”
Afterward, Flint displayed her hand-crafted dress and the regalia that adorned her ilokka, which translates to dress in English.
“My regalia tells the story of hope, unity and pride,” Flint said. “It reflects the strength of my Choctaw people, the wisdom of my ancestors and the promise of future generations.”
Before the judges announced the various winners, a loudspeaker projected a prerecorded message from 2025-2026 Princess Lexi Rodriguez encouraging the new ambassador.
“Take advantage of every opportunity, every appearance, every conversation, and every member you meet,” Rodriguez advised. “There will be moments that challenge you, but there will also be moments that change your life forever. Carry the title with love, humility and pride.”
For nearly an hour afterward, Rodriguez hugged attendees who flowed to the stage to wish her one final goodbye as their princess.
Impressed by Flint’s confidence, congeniality and poise, both judges and her fellow contestants awarded her the title of princess.
“I think that the biggest part of pageantry is not comparing yourself to anybody else, because at the end of the day, all of our stories are different, and so are our experiences and the lessons that we learn,” Flint said.
‘Find Pride in Who They Are’
Throughout the next year, Flint will work alongside Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben on behalf of the tribe as the new goodwill ambassador and the tribe’s official representative. In this role, Flint will speak at public events, attend grand openings and ceremonies, and contribute to a multitude of community efforts.
As ambassador, one of Flint’s goals is to bring basket-making back into her community, as her tribe has only around four to five basket makers.
“Basketry is a huge part of our identity as Choctaw people,” Flint said. “Back in the day, we had baskets for gathering crops, for mats, and even baskets woven tight enough to hold water. So I think that basketry is one of the workshops that I’m hoping to host in the future.”
Flint is also one of the founders of a new club, the Native American and Indigenous Student Alhiha Association, at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, where she attends school.
Other participating contestants who walked away as title holders in the contest include Teresa Brighton, who won Miss Photogenic; Miyah Henry, the first alternate; and Gracyn Grisham, the second alternate.
The next Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant will take place this time next year in July 2027 in Neshoba County on the Choctaw Reservation on Industrial Road.
“A true ambassador is not only proud of where she comes from; she helps others find pride in who they are, too,” Flint said.
Browse Heather Harrison’s photo galleries for the 2026 Choctaw Indian Fair and the 71st Choctaw Indian Princess Pageant.
Follow the Mississippi Free Press’ coverage of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and read past stories here.
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