Former Miss Universe Canada Halts Pageant Mid-Competition to Call Out Contestants’ Costumes for Cultural Appropriation

People ^ | August 13, 2026 | Tabitha Parent

[ConservativeStatement]

Ashley Callingbull, the Miss Universe Canada 2024 titleholder, stopped this year’s competition to call out two contestants for their costumes, which featured clothing elements traditionally worn by Indigenous peoples. The contestants have since apologized for their outfits.

Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation who was the first First Nations Miss Universe Canada, interrupted the final portion of the pageant’s competition that she was hosting on Aug. 8, addressing the room before the top 20 contestants were announced, according to the CBC Indigenous.

[ConservativeStatement]

Is Columbus Day celebrated in the 51st state? /sarc.

[OttawaFreeper]

Beauty pageants, another thing political correctness destroyed completely.

[ClearCase_guy]

“Ashley” is not a Native American name. She should be barred from everything for life.

[ansel12]

Comparing who is using and living another culture is a losing battle for her and anyone else of her ilk.

[pfflier]

“Ashley” is not a Native American name. She should be barred from everything for life.

She should use her Cree name, Spitting Bull.

[Sgt_Schultze]

I’m calling bull on this. This broad is complaining about someone else “culturally appropriating” clothing embellishments, while herself culturally appropriating western attire.

[PTBAA]

The nerve of her, speaking English! And take off your culturally appropriated clothes while you’re at it!

And don’t get me started on using stolen tech (mike drop!).

[Jamestown1630]

I don’t think she’s going to win ‘Miss Congeniality’...

[lee martell]

Somebody is desperate for attention!
You had your time in the spotlight.
Don’t cheat the current 2026 Miss Universe out of her time!
Take a seat.

[Freedom4US]

What’s an Indian doing at the White man’s pageant? GTFO

[RoosterRedux]

Hey, Ashley, have you been using indoor plumbing?

[HYPOCRACY]

Indians who wear western clothes should be called out for cultural appropriation.

[anton]

Savages have culture?

[xp38]

I used to watch the pageants ages ago but am very glad I stopped.

[Sirius Lee]

I'd hit it with my special tomahawk.

[BenLurkin]

I’m calling bull on this.

[Jeff Vader]

must have been a dei winner, because she’s not that hot

[fruser1]

Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation

Living up to her name.

[xp38]

Callingbull however is oddly appropriate.

[Liz]