John,
whose Indian name is Xaamsalii (Hummingbird), is the daughter of Sydney and
Robin John, and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla
Indian Reservation (CTUIR). She is a graduate of Zillah High School in
Toppenish, Wash., where she was a four-year Varsity athlete in basketball,
track and field, and cross country. She made 10 appearances in the Washington
State 1A tournament, and was a member of the state champion 4x400 relay team.
John was also an active member in 4-H and the National Honor Society.
John
currently attends Western Washington University, where she hopes her studies in
health care will lead to a Master’s program to become a nurse practitioner. She
enjoys helping others and believes becoming a nurse will allow her to bring
health equity to Native Americans. She plans to work with under-served
communities to help raise the bar for health care, as well as being a good role
model for other Native American young women.
In
2018, John won the top honor at the American Indian Beauty Pageant at the
Pendleton Round-Up. She and her family have a deep connection with Happy Canyon
and the Round-Up dating back to her great-great-great grandfather Chief Jim
Kanine. John’s family also has a great legacy of Happy Canyon princesses dating
back to 1932 with her great-great grandmother Rosaline Kanine. This year’s
reign will make John a fifth generation Happy Canyon Princess.