Two Miss Universe Canada contestants wore Indigenous-inspired outfits featuring a feathered headdress and fur during the August 4 national costume round in Ontario, sparking intense backlash, public apologies, and a direct stage confrontation from the pageant’s first Indigenous winner, Ashley Callingbull.
Cultural appropriation on the pageant stage has ignited a sharp reckoning in Canada after two models donned traditional Indigenous regalia during a heritage showcase at an Ontario competition. The segment, which is meant to celebrate creativity and national traditions, instead drew immediate condemnation from activists, viewers, and a prominent former titleholder.
Costumes and Symbolism on the Runway
During the August 4 national costume round in Windsor, Ontario, contestant Karisa Haverkamp walked the runway wearing a feathered headdress traditionally reserved for respected Indigenous leaders in North America. Across her face, she wore a painted red handprint, which serves as a recognized symbol of solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement. A second participant, Jasleen Kaily, presented an outfit titled “Arctic Beauty,” which consisted of an all-fur dress, mukluk boots, and twin braids. They were among 35 other contestants walking in the costume round at the competition, which is designed to showcase Canada’s heritage. Both models walked the runway wearing outfits heavily inspired by Indigenous cultures, without being Indigenous themselves.
Ashley Callingbull Interrupts the Final Show
The backlash found its most prominent voice in Ashley Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation who made history in 2024 as the first First Nations winner of Miss Universe Canada and represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant. Callingbull was co-hosting the pageant’s final event alongside pageant director Sonny Borrelli when a teleprompter failure prompted her to take control of the stage. Stopping the music and telling everyone to turn the music down, Callingbull addressed the audience directly to condemn the display. As reported by CBC Indigenous, she told the crowd that sometimes there are mistakes that are made
and that it's 2026. We should know better.
She added that most importantly, a part of reconciliation is that we educate and learn and understand and move on from these things in a good way.
Callingbull admitted that seeing video footage of the runway left her in complete disbelief, stating that her jaw dropped on the floor.
She told the outlet, I just couldn’t get over that this was happening. Who allowed this on stage? Who approved this?
She further noted, Anything traditional or sacred should not be allowed. I was very, very upset.
In a phone interview with CTVNews.ca, she added, My jaw kind of dropped. I just couldn’t believe that it was real. In my mind, I’m thinking they had an Indigenous winner, me, two years ago. This can’t be happening.
She reached out to competition director Sonny Borrelli to ask who approved the regalia and stressed that guidelines were needed to verify whether contestants were Indigenous. Callingbull went off script to use her stage time to speak out against what had happened, and to give Borrelli a chance to apologize, telling everyone that you don’t wear someone else’s ethnic background and parade around in it, and make a mockery.
Contestant and Pageant Apologies
Following the intense public criticism, both contestants and the organisation issued formal apologies. Karisa Haverkamp shared a statement via Instagram acknowledging that her outfit caused offense. I acknowledge and recognise that my outfit for the national costume caused hurt and offence to people in the indigenous community,
Haverkamp wrote, adding, I appreciate what I have learned from this experience and continue my commitment to stand up and speak for all women who have lost their voice because of violence.
Jasleen Kaily also issued her own apology, stating, My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture.
The pageant organization released its own statement addressing the controversy: If any costume caused offence, hurt, or misunderstanding, please know that it was never our intention.
The statement added, The national costume segment is intended to celebrate creativity, heritage, and identity. However, we recognise that every design requires deep care, respect, and continuous evaluation.
Moving forward, the organization announced plans to supply contestants with a comprehensive costume guide
aimed at establishing clear guidelines and standards for all future pageant cycles to ensure every presentation is thoughtful and respectful.
