Miss Universe Canada Winner Halts Pageant Over Cultural Appropriation
Ashley Callingbull, the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada, stopped this year's pageant mid-broadcast to call out two contestants over costumes she said appropriated Indigenous culture.
Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation who won the Miss Universe Canada title in 2024, was hosting the 2026 competition on Aug. 8 when she interrupted director Sonny Borrelli just before he was set to announce the top 20 finalists.
"There was cultural appropriation that was done towards Indigenous peoples," Callingbull told the audience, adding that she had not witnessed the costume segment in person and only saw it afterward on video.
What Happened During the Costume Competition
The controversy traces back to the pageant's national costume segment, held Aug. 4 in Windsor, Ontario. Contestant Karisa Haverkamp wore a turquoise, black and white feathered headdress along with a small red handprint painted on her cheek. Fellow contestant Jasleen Kaily wore a two-piece costume featuring brown fringe, two braids, mukluks and a maple leaf cutout on the back.
Callingbull described her reaction to seeing footage of the costumes in an interview with CBC News: "My jaw just dropped on the floor."
Callingbull Raises Concerns With Organizers
After seeing the video, Callingbull brought her concerns directly to the Miss Universe Canada team, arguing that headdresses, face paint and other elements carry cultural and spiritual significance that should not be reduced to pageant costuming without proper context or understanding. Traditionally, each eagle feather on a headdress is earned rather than worn as decoration.
Both contestants have since apologized. Kaily said she never intended to disrespect anyone and pointed to a lack of clear guidance from the competition on what constitutes cultural appropriation. Haverkamp likewise expressed regret over the backlash surrounding her costume.
Organizers Respond With New Guidelines
Miss Universe Canada organizers acknowledged the controversy and issued a public apology, saying they plan to introduce a comprehensive costume guide meant to prevent similar incidents in future competitions. The organization also thanked Callingbull for raising the issue, framing her involvement as part of an ongoing effort toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities.
Callingbull said education and understanding are central to moving forward, and that pageant organizers should know better in 2026 than to let culturally sensitive items go unvetted before a live broadcast.
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