First Nations woman wins Mrs. Universe for the first time
History was made when Ashley Callingbull won the Mrs. Universe pageant on Sunday night – she’s the first Enoch Cree First Nations woman (and Canadian for that matter) to ever claim the title.
Mrs. Universe, by the way, should not be mistaken for Miss Universe; thankfully, Donald Trump has nothing to do with this competition for married women ages 25 to 45.
Callingbull, whose married name is Burnham, was crowned the winner in Minsk, Belarus, and takes the title over from Sabrina Pinion, an American woman.
The 25-year-old stunner reigns from Alberta, is an actress and is a former Miss Canada and Miss Universe competitor. She is on the show Blackstone, which chronicles the lives of First Nations people on a fictitious reserve in Alberta and airs on APTN and Showcase.
“It deals with a lot of corruption, violence and everything you can see that happens on a reserve – it’s real and raw,” said Callingbull in a 2013 interview.
Callingbull competed in Miss Universe Canada back in 2010, but came in second runner-up. She said she got into the pageant life to raise money for charities.
The best feeling! So surreal @mrsuniverse2015 A photo posted by Ashley Burnham (Callingbull) (@ash_burnham) on
Outspoken and proud of her heritage, Callingbull didn’t shy away from wearing a traditional jingle dress with custom beadwork.
Yesterday was the national outfit parade for all the delegates. I wore a custom Canadian Jingle dress & beadwork that showcased my culture Made by my friend Dabney Warren. #GoCanada @mrsuniverse2015 A photo posted by Ashley Burnham (Callingbull) (@ash_burnham) on
It’s fair to say that Canadians are celebrating the win of such a lovely, proud Aboriginal woman who not only unabashedly speaks out on First Nations issues, but looks good while doing it.
Excited to dance this weekend A photo posted by Ashley Burnham (Callingbull) (@ash_burnham) on