Canada

Miss Universe Canada slammed by first Indigenous winner for ‘cultural appropriation’ in costume segment

By
Christl Dabu

Updated: 

Published: 

Model, actress and television personality Ashley Callingbull was a celebrity judge at the 2023 Calgary Stampede Parade. (CTV Calgary)

The first Indigenous woman to be named Miss Universe Canada has criticized the beauty pageant after some contestants wore Indigenous-themed clothing during the national costume segment of this year’s competition.

The controversy, which was first reported by APTN National News on Friday, happened last week in Windsor, Ont., during the portion of the competition where contestants showcased outfits inspired by Canada’s traditions.

Ashley Callingbull, an Indigenous model who was crowned Miss Universe Canada in 2024, told APTN that seeing the costumes was “really heavy” on her heart.

“I felt like I was educating them and giving them hell at the same time, because I needed them to understand how bad this was and how much it affects other people,” said Callingbull, who is from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta. “I’m glad I got the message across, but it was heavy on me, it was really heavy on my heart.”

Ashley Callingbull, Mrs. Universe 2015 Ashley Callingbull, Mrs. Universe 2015, joins other actors, activists, and musicians in launching the Leap Manifesto outlining a climate and economic vision for Canada during a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Miss Universe Canada (MUC) acknowledged the feedback on the costumes in its statement on social media Friday.

“We want to address this directly and sincerely: if any costume caused offense, hurt, or misunderstanding, please know that it was never our intention,” it wrote in its post.

“​The national costume segment is intended to celebrate creativity, heritage, and identity. However, we recognize that every design requires deep care, respect, and continuous evaluation.”

The organization said it is creating a “comprehensive costume guide” with clear guidelines and standards aimed at ensuring “thoughtful and respectful” presentations.

“​We deeply appreciate our community holding us accountable, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful platform for everyone involved,” the MUC team wrote.

In response to the social media post, Callingbull said she reached out to MUC immediately when she saw the Indigenous regalia during the national costumes segment.

“Cultural appropriation is NOT OK,” she wrote in the post on Friday.

Callingbull, who was the first Indigenous First Nations woman to be featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2022, said the new guidelines will “help with this process moving forward.”

“Change doesn’t happen unless you speak up. Thank you MUC, for acknowledging this and doing what needed to be done,” she said.

Aslihan Morali of Ancaster, Ont., was crowned the 75th Miss Universe Canada on Saturday. She will represent the country in the global Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico later this year.