Two Miss Universe Canada contestants who wore Indigenous-inspired outfits during the pageant were slammed over “cultural appropriation” by an Indigenous former winner.
Karisa Haverkamp and Jasleen Kaily donned the outfits during the national costume portion of the competition in Windsor, Ontario, on Aug. 4, according to APTN News.
Haverkamp wore a feathered headdress traditionally associated with respected Indigenous leaders in North America, along with a red handprint painted on her face, a symbol of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls movement.
Kaily wore a costume called “Arctic Beauty,” featuring an all-fur dress, fur boots known as mukluks and two braids.
Former Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull, who was the first Indigenous woman to win the title in 2024 and represented the country at the Miss Universe pageant, interrupted her co-host, pageant director Sonny Borrelli, to address the issue while co-hosting the show’s final Saturday.
“Sometimes there are mistakes that are made. It’s 2026. We should know better,” she said on stage, according to CBC Indigenous.
“But most importantly, a part of reconciliation is that we educate and learn and understand and move on from these things in a good way,” she added.
Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation, admitted that she was shocked when she saw the costumes.
“This cannot be real. I just couldn’t get over that this was happening,” she told the outlet. “Who allowed this on stage? Who approved this?
“Anything traditional or sacred should not be allowed. I was very, very upset.”
Callingbull, the first Indigenous First Nations woman to grace the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue in 2022, contacted pageant organizers to voice her anger.
“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 this affects other people,” Callingbull told APTN News Friday.
“I’m glad I got the message across, but it was heavy on me. It was heavy on my heart.”
The pageant’s website describes the national costume segment as “a celebration of Canadian culture and heritage, combined with creativity,” with contestants required to showcase “a unique costume, dress, or outfit inspired by Canada’s traditions, symbols, and history.”
Miss Universe Canada apologized in a statement on Facebook Friday morning.
“If any costume caused offense, hurt, or misunderstanding, please know that it was never our intention,” the organization said.
“The national costume segment is intended to celebrate creativity, heritage, and identity. However, we recognize that every design requires deep care, respect, and continuous evaluation.”
Pageant organizers thanked Callingbull for her “guidance, advice, and assistance” and said they would introduce a “comprehensive Costume Guide” with standards for future competitions.
Callingbull responded on Facebook hours later: “Cultural appropriation is NOT OK.”
“Now there will be guidelines and liaisons to help with this process moving forward,” she added. “Change doesn’t happen unless you speak up. Thank you MUC for acknowledging this and doing what needed to be done.”
Borrelli has invited Callingbull to serve as the official liaison for the costume segment moving forward.
Haverkamp apologized for her costume on Instagram.
“I acknowledge and recognize that my outfit for the national costume caused hurt and offense to people in the Indigenous community,” she wrote. “I appreciate what I have learned from this experience.”
Kaily also apologized on social media, saying her “intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture” and that she wanted to “recognize and celebrate one of the First Peoples of Canada.”
Aslihan Moral won the Miss Universe Canada title Saturday and will represent the country at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico on Nov. 26.
Miss Universe Canada has faced similar criticism before.
In 2015, contestant Paola Nunez Valdez sparked controversy after wearing a totem pole costume, with the pageant calling the incident a “misunderstanding” and saying the outfit was intended to represent her Dominican heritage.
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