Miss Universe Canada contestants apologise over Indigenous-inspired costumes

Two contestants at the Miss Universe Canada pageant have apologised after wearing costumes inspired by Indigenous culture during the national costume segment.

Contestant Karisa Haverkamp wore a feathered headdress and had a red handprint painted on her face, while Jasleen Kaily appeared in an all-fur outfit with boots known as mukluks and two braids.

The costumes sparked criticism from former Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation, who interrupted part of the pageant she was co-presenting to address the issue.

“It’s 2026, we should know better,” Callingbull said.

She described the costumes as cultural appropriation, while clarifying that she was not present when they were worn and had seen the incident later in a video.

Haverkamp apologised in a statement shared on Instagram, saying she recognised that her costume had caused “hurt and offence” to members of the Indigenous community.

“I appreciate what I have learned from this experience,” she said.

The feathered headdress she wore is traditionally associated with highly respected Indigenous leaders in North America. The red handprint painted on her face is also a symbol of solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women movement.

Kaily also apologised, saying her intention had never been to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture.

“My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture, but rather to recognise and celebrate one of the First Peoples of Canada,” she said.

The Miss Universe Canada organisation said it was sorry if the costumes caused offence, hurt or misunderstanding, adding that this had never been its intention.

The pageant’s national costume segment is described as a celebration of Canadian culture and heritage, with contestants expected to present outfits inspired by the country’s traditions, symbols and history.

Following the controversy, Miss Universe Canada said it would introduce a “comprehensive costume guide” establishing clearer standards for future pageants to ensure cultural presentations are handled respectfully.

Pageant director Sonny Borrelli also invited Callingbull, the first First Nations woman to win Miss Universe Canada, to serve as the official liaison for the costume segment in future competitions.

During Saturday’s final, Callingbull told Borrelli that the organisation’s initial statement did not contain a direct apology and invited him to address the controversy.

Borrelli said the organisation takes “full responsibility” for the error.