An uproar has erupted at the Miss Universe Canada pageant, sparked by a former titleholder who condemned this year’s event for endorsing ‘offensive’ costumes inspired by Indigenous cultures. The winner criticized the inclusion of such outfits, accusing the competition of engaging in ‘cultural appropriation.’
Ashley Callingbull, a proud member of the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, made an unexpected appearance during Saturday’s 2026 competition. Just before the top 20 finalists were revealed, Callingbull took the stage to voice her concerns about the pageant’s tolerance of cultural appropriation.
“Serving as the first Indigenous First Nations Miss Universe Canada was a profound honor for me,” expressed Callingbull, who claimed the coveted crown in 2024, amid enthusiastic applause from the audience.
“However, sometimes errors are made,” she continued. “Earlier this week, during the national costume segment of the competition, there were instances of cultural appropriation directed at Indigenous peoples.”
Though Callingbull was not among the judges for the costume round, she viewed clips from the event. Contestants Karisa Haverkamp and Jasleen Kaily were seen donning outfits that drew inspiration from Indigenous culture, further fueling the ongoing debate.
Haverkamp appeared in a multicolored feathered headdress with a small red handprint on her cheek, which is supposed to represent the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement.
Kaily wore an Arctic-inspired costume that included fringe and a fur-covered winter outfit that looked similar to what Canadian Inuits wear. She paired it with a maple leaf cutout.
The costume portion of the competition is supposed to represent parts of Canada and its history.
Karisa Haverkamp appeared in a multicolored feathered headdress with a small red handprint on her cheek during the Miss Universe Canada costume portion, which insulted former winner Ashley Callingbull, who is Indigenous
Jasleen Kaily also appeared in traditional-style wear. When Callingbull saw the looks, she told CBC that ‘my jaw just dropped to the floor’
When Callingbull saw the looks, she told CBC that ‘my jaw just dropped to the floor.’
‘This cannot be real. I just couldn’t get over that this was happening. Who allowed this on stage? Who approved this? Anything traditional or sacred should not be allowed. I was very, very upset.’
Callingbull said on stage Saturday that she immediately called Director Sonny Borrelli to discuss her feelings.
‘It’s 2026, we should know better. More importantly, a part of reconciliation is that we educate and learn and understand and move on from these things in a good way,’ she told the crowd.
Haverkamp released an Instagram statement on Saturday, writing that she ‘acknowledged and recognized that my outfit for the national costume caused hurt and offense to the people in the Indigenous community.’
‘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, trauma and oppression,’ she said.
Kaily also apologized on Instagram, saying: ‘My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture.’
She said her costume was to ‘recognize and celebrate one of the First Peoples of Canada.’
Callingbull, who is from the Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, interrupted the final portion of the 2026 competition on Saturday to call out the outfits, saying ‘mistakes were made’
Borrelli addressed the crowd on Saturday, saying it wasn’t the pageant’s intention to ‘offend anybody.’
‘If we did, we take full responsibility, we will learn from it, we will make it better, we will make it right,’ he said.
He also announced that the pageant has asked Callingbull to become a cultural liaison for the costume competition next year. It is unclear if she has accepted the position.
Callingbull said the instances weighed heavily on her, which is why she spoke out, as her grandfather always told her that speaking up was the only way to enact change.
‘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,’ she told CTV News.
‘I’m glad I got the message across, but it was heavy on me, it was really heavy on my heart.’
The pageant describes the costume portion as a ‘segment intended to celebrate creativity, heritage, and identity.’
Conversations around cultural appropriation have become more prevalent in the last decade, with some saying it honors traditions and heritage, while others have accused people of making a costume out of sacred traditions.
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How should beauty pageants honor cultural heritage without crossing the line into appropriation?
Callingbull, pictured during the costume portion of the 2024 Miss Universe competition, has been asked to become the cultural liaison for the Canadian competition. It is unclear if she has accepted the role
In order to avoid future concerns, the organization is now creating a ‘comprehensive costume guide’ to help future contestants.
‘We deeply appreciate our community holding us accountable, and we remain committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful platform for everyone involved,’ the organization said in a statement.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Haverkamp, Kaily, Callingbull and the pageant for comment.