Draft:Winona (Pokémon)

Extra Note: the name "Winona" is actually of Native American descent, and is one of the more common Native American names that are used today in North America. The name was probably chosen because of the Native American legends of the "thunderbirds", powerful spirits that take a bird-like form and cause thunder and lightning whenever they flap their wings.

Winona was the Gym Leader of the Fortree City Gym, who was also known as the most talented Flying Type user. When Ash first arrived at Fortree, she was away from the gym in order to help out in the Feather Carnival, an annual festival where the whole city celebrates the Flying Pokemon. After getting scared by Brock's "usual ways" and chasing Team Rocket off for trying to steal the Flying Types with her Skarmory, she battled Ash on the next day.

Winona used Altaria, Pelipper and a "shiny" Swellow against Ash's Grovyle, Pikachu and his own Swellow. After a long (and, surprisingly, Team Rocket-less) battle, Ash won the Feather Badge from her.

This listing is for Winona's Pokémon in the video games in which she has appeared.

In Pokémon Adventures, Winona is the supervisor of the Hoenn Gym Leaders, much as Erika is the leader of the Kanto Gym Leaders and Pryce of the Johto Gym Leaders. Her job is to watch over all Hoenn Gym Leaders to ensure the gyms are running smoothly. She's apparently close to Flannery, as the redhead's judgement is enough to convince her that Team Magma is the side she should take in the battle between Team Magma and Team Aqua. Later, she is convinced by Wallace to renounce her alliance, as both sides are up to no good.

When Sapphire first battles and loses to Winona, Winona takes her under her wing and trains her. Because of this, Sapphire joins the Gym Leaders' fight against Kyogre and Groudon.

She and Wallace apparently had some sort of relationship in the past, speculated by most fans to have been romantic. Although it is largely unconfirmed whether she still has feelings for him, it is quite obvious that Wallace still has feelings for her, based on the scene where the two say their goodbyes before they leave to fight Kyogre and Groudon in Volume 20.