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First Indigenous Miss Universe Canada winner speaks out after costume controversy
Callingbull said the pageant needs rules to verify Indigenous identity after two contestants wore a headdress and mukluks, and the organization promised a Costume Guide.
On Tuesday, Miss Universe Canada co-host Ashley Callingbull interrupted the national costume segment to publicly criticize two contestants for wearing Indigenous-themed regalia she described as culturally inappropriate and lacking proper research.
During the pageant's costume portion, contestants wore a feathered headdress and mukluks, items Callingbull described as a "mockery" of Indigenous cultures, noting many assumed Etsy purchases were "legit."
Callingbull went off-script during the live broadcast, commanding producers to "turn the music down" so she could challenge the pageant's lack of oversight regarding cultural regalia.
Pageant director Sonny Borrelli accepted "full responsibility" for the incident, announcing implementation of a comprehensive Costume Guide and inviting Callingbull to serve as an official liaison.
While Callingbull says educating others is not her responsibility, she emphasized the importance of using one's voice as pageant organizers implement mandatory guidelines to prevent future cultural appropriation.