Miss Universe host hits out at pageant on stage after contestants wore indigenous dress during competition

A PAGEANT host has slammed two Miss Universe Canada contestants after they wore Indigenous-inspired outfits during the competition. The controversy erupted during the national costume segment, when former winner Ashley Callingbull broke from the script to call out what she described as cultural appropriation. Anger erupted when Miss Universe Canada contestants wore indigenous clothing Credit: Charm Viet Entertainment The two outfits included a fur dress and boots, as well as a feathered headdress Credit: Charm Viet Entertainment Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation, interrupted her co-host and said: “Sometimes there are mistakes that are made. “It’s 2026. We should know better, 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.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! She took issue with one contestant who wore a fur dress and boots, while another appeared on stage wearing a feathered headdress. Speaking to CBC Indigenous, Callingbull said: “My jaw just dropped on the floor. Host Ashley Callingbull called out what she saw as cultural appropriation Credit: Getty The former winner said her jaw dropped when she saw the outfits Credit: Getty “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.” One of the controversial costumes, worn by Karisa Haverkemp, featured a feathered headdress traditionally associated with highly respected Indigenous leaders in North America. She also had a red handprint painted across her face – a symbol of solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) movement. Most read in The Sun In a statement, Miss Universe Canada said: “If any costume caused offense, hurt or misunderstanding, please know it was never our intention.” Haverkemp later took to Instagram to acknowledge her mistake. She wrote: “I acknowledge and recognise that my outfit for the national costume caused hurt and offence to people in the Indigenous community. Contestant Jasleen Kaily took to social media to apologise Credit: Instagram/jk.ailyy Fellow contestant Karisa Haverkemp also apologised for any offence caused Credit: Instagram/karisa.apricate “I appreciate what I have learned from this experience.” The other contestant, Jasleen Kaily, wore a costume titled “Arctic Beauty”. It featured an all-fur dress, fur boots known as mukluks, and two braids. Kaily also apologised on social media, saying: “My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture” but rather to “recognise and celebrate one of the First Peoples of Canada”. According to the Miss Universe Canada website, the national costume segment is “a celebration of Canadian culture and heritage, combined with creativity”. It states: “Each delegate must showcase a unique costume, dress, or outfit inspired by Canada’s traditions, symbols, and history.” The organisation has now said it will introduce a “comprehensive costume guide” to “establish clear guidelines and standards for all future pageant cycles to ensure every presentation is thoughtful and respectful”. Pageant director Sonny Borrelli said he has also invited Callingbull to be the costume segment’s official liaison. It is not the first time the Miss Universe Canada competition has faced criticism over cultural appropriation. In 2015, the organisation said there had been a “misunderstanding” over entrant Paola Nunez Valdez, who wore a totem pole costume during the national costume segment. Both Valdez and the organisation said the outfit was intended to represent her Dominican heritage. Comment now