From their small communities in Mi'kma'ki, to the bright lights of a national pageant stage, these three Mi'kmaw women are vying to be crowned the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada. Twenty-six Indigenous women from communities across Canada have been selected from more than 700 applicants to compete in this pageant in the Haudenosaunee territory of Six Nations, Ont. Miss Indigenous Canada isn't a traditional beauty pageant — the focus is more on internal characteristics.
Contestants are judged on things like character, community service, cultural involvement and ambassadorship. The pageant officially began on Wednesday and the winner will be crowned on Saturday evening. Many in Mi'kma'ki, the traditional and current territories of the Mi'kmaq, will be watching to see if one of their three representatives will be crowned Miss Indigenous Canada.
A first-time pageant contestant, Allison Grace Lambert is originally from Esgenoopetitj First Nation in New Brunswick and is currently living in Elsipogtog First Nation with her two daughters. Lambert is part of the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Youth Council and is passionate about mental health and wellness. She has an educational background in psychology and criminology, and is currently working toward a bachelor of interior design degree.
"I honestly feel like my ancestors guided me to speak on what I need to say, because it's really important to speak on mental health, especially where a lot of people might feel afraid to speak on those ty.