Ashley Callingbull of Alberta’s Enoch Cree Nation is taking the world by storm. She was crowned Mrs. Universe on Saturday August 29th during a competition in the European country of Belarus and has been the hottest topic on social media since.
Although she won the Mrs. Universe title on behalf of Canada, Callingbull, whose married name is Burnham, has been using the platform to promote her Cree heritage and culture. During a cultural segment of the contest, Ashley wore a traditional beaded jingle dress.
“I basically tried to showcase my culture throughout the whole pageant, because in Europe, they don’t really see that. They just see whatever is in the mainstream,” Callingbull said.
According to Enoch Cree Nation Councillor Nola Wanuch, the world is paying more attention to the issues facing indigenous people in Canada following Ashley Callingbull’s Mrs. Universe win. Callingbull has taken the opportunity to renounce Conservative Stephen Harper.
“I urge all First Nations people in Canada to vote in this upcoming election. We are in desperate need of a new PM. Fight for your rights,” she said on Twitter.
Callingbull, 25 is a survivor of many types of abuse she experienced in her childhood where she lived in poverty on the Enoch and Hobbema reservations. She embraced ceremony and traditions to find healing, rather than turning to drugs or alcohol.
In 2010 Callingbull placed as the second runner up in the Miss Canada pageant and from that experience she is no stranger to being the target of racist and demeaning comments. But she instead has decided to stay focused on the positive.
“It’s a lot to take in because the amount of support that I’m receiving is huge,” she said.
Ashley has appeared in the APTN series Blackstone portraying a positive minded student. She is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and judging by the overwhelming popularity of the Callingbull franchise she could have a big future in film, theatre or music – the world is hers.
