Former Miss Universe Canada winner halts pageant to call out contestants over cultural appropriation

Ashley Callingbull argued that elements of cultural significance should not be presented as pageant costumes

Former Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull interrupted the 2026 Miss Universe Canada competition to address what she described as cultural appropriation in two contestants' national costumes.

Callingbull, the first First Nations woman to win the Miss Universe Canada title, stopped the pageant before the announcement of the top 20 to speak about costumes worn by contestants Karisa Haverkamp and Jasleen Kaily. The outfits featured Indigenous-inspired elements including feathered headdresses, red face paint, mukluks and braids.

Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation, subsequently raised her concerns with the pageant's organisers. She argued that some of the elements used in the costumes carried cultural and spiritual significance and should not be presented as pageant costumes without proper understanding or context.

 

 

 

 

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Haverkamp and Kaily later apologised publicly on Instagram. Both contestants said they had intended to celebrate Indigenous culture rather than cause offence.

Kaily said she had not intended to disrespect anyone and pointed to a lack of clear guidance from the competition about what constituted cultural appropriation. Haverkamp similarly expressed regret over the controversy surrounding her costume.

The Miss Universe Canada organisation also acknowledged the controversy and apologised. In response, it said it would introduce a comprehensive Costume Guide aimed at preventing similar incidents in future competitions. The organisation also thanked Callingbull for raising the issue and helping guide its efforts towards reconciliation.

The controversy unfolded during the national costume portion of the competition in Windsor, Ontario, on August 4. Haverkamp's costume included a feathered headdress and a red handprint associated with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement, while Kaily wore an outfit called "Arctic Beauty."

Callingbull's intervention has placed renewed attention on how Indigenous culture is represented in pageants and the responsibility of competitions to provide contestants with appropriate guidance when designing costumes inspired by Indigenous traditions.

The Miss Universe Canada organisation has now committed to clearer costume rules as it moves forward following the incident.