Ashley Callingbull calls out cultural appropriation at pageant

Ashley Callingbull has opened up about her decision to speak out during the Miss Universe Canada 2026 pageant, saying she felt a responsibility to use her platform to raise awareness about cultural appropriation and encourage greater accountability.

The 36-year-old pageant contestant became involved in a controversy after contestants Karisa Haverkamp and Jasleen Kaily were photographed wearing outfits that featured prominent elements inspired by traditional Indigenous clothing. The images sparked criticism, with concerns being raised about the use of Indigenous cultural symbols in a pageant setting.

Callingbull, who is known for representing and advocating for Indigenous communities, said the situation was deeply upsetting. She explained that seeing the outfits felt disrespectful and described the incident as “a slap in the face to the Indigenous community.”

Rather than remaining silent, Callingbull decided to address the issue publicly during the live pageant. She found an unexpected opportunity when she and fellow host Sonny Borelli were preparing to announce the top 20 contestants. At that moment, the teleprompter stopped working, leaving the presenters without their prepared script.

Instead of simply waiting for the technical problem to be resolved, Callingbull used the unscripted moment to speak directly to the audience. She delivered a brief but powerful message, saying, “It’s 2026, we should know better.”

Her comments immediately drew attention because they came during a highly visible moment of the competition. Callingbull made it clear that she wanted to use the platform to encourage people to think more carefully about cultural representation and respect.

Following the controversy, Miss Universe Canada responded to the criticism and stated that causing offense, hurt or misunderstanding was never the organization’s intention. The response came amid wider discussion about cultural sensitivity and the responsibility of public events to ensure that Indigenous traditions and symbols are treated respectfully.

Callingbull has since received significant support from people who appreciated her decision to speak up. She said the response has reinforced her belief that public figures can play an important role in encouraging meaningful conversations.

For Callingbull, the incident was about more than a pageant or a particular outfit. She believes it was an opportunity to highlight the importance of respecting Indigenous culture and challenging behavior that may be considered inappropriate or insensitive.

She hopes the situation will encourage others to find the courage to speak out when they witness something they believe is wrong. By using an unexpected moment on stage to address the controversy, Callingbull showed that even an unscripted statement can draw attention to important social issues and encourage broader conversations about respect, representation and cultural awareness.