What is Miss Indigenous Canada?
Miss Indigenous Canada is a leadership development and ambassador program, geared towards First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth. Above all, we value community service, leadership development, cultural involvement, youth empowerment, and authentic representation.
The program was created in an effort to equip young Indigenous folks with the skills they need to succeed as community leaders, create a space to celebrate their abilities and achievements, and have the chance to make connections with like-minded peers.
Our Mission.
Our mission is to empower, equip, and encourage Indigenous youth to develop leadership skills, give back to their communities, and connect to their cultures. We aim to foster an environment where Indigenous youth have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.
Our Vision.
We see a generation of leaders deeply committed to their communities and cultures, serving as ambassadors who nurture that commitment both within their own communities and beyond.
About the Program
Participant Requirements
Open to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women and two-spirit with a verifiable community affiliation
Participants must be at least 18 years old and no older than 30 by the program week
Must be a Canadian resident
Must belong to an Indigenous community that is primarily in Canada either by treaty or historically
Must be of good character and have actions that reflect that of a community ambassador
Applicants should display a preexisting involvement in their Indigenous community
No experience necessary!
**We welcome all who meet the above requirements, regardless of assigned gender at birth, marital status, or motherhood.
Ambassador Categories
Participants will take part in the following categories:
Personal Interview
Personal Essay
Cultural Presentation
Community Scrapbook
High achieving participants will go on to take part in the prepared statement and final question round during the final showcase for the chance to receive the title of Miss Indigenous Canada.
Program Structure
The Miss Indigenous Canada Program is designed to support participants in gaining tangible, real-life skills that will support them for the rest of their lives and aid them in being leaders and role models in their respective communities. We have created a program curriculum that offers both instructional training and experiential opportunities in the following areas:
Community & Personal Leadership
Public Speaking
Media Engagement & Interview Skills
Community Engagement
Professional Conduct & Networking
Grant Writing
The Miss Indigenous Canada Program consists of three main components:
Pre-Program Training & Mentorship
Prior to program week, participants will participate in a training workshop and complete four online modules that discuss various aspects relating to the topics described above. There will also be opportunity to meet with members of the committee for individualized mentorship.
Program Week
Program week is a retreat-style event filled with workshops, cultural tours, formal dinners, guest speakers, and activities that support our goal of developing community leaders.
Ambassador Competition
This is where participants put what they have learned to work, and compete to be an ambassador and representative of Indigenous youth across the country!
Charitable Giving
As part of our program, participants are asked to fundraise for the chosen charity of Miss Indigenous Canada, which is selected by the previous year’s ambassador. Since our inception, our participants have raised over $34,000 for charity.
Community Leadership
The Community Leadership Project is designed to support participants in developing, planning, and launching a meaningful initiative that responds to a real need in their community. One participant will receive a $1000 grant to support the implement of their project.
Awards and Prizes
Each participant will receive a gift bag full of goodies on arrival. Additional prizes will be awarded to the winner, runners-up, and recipients of special awards. In past years, with the support of our sponsors, we’ve been proud to provide over $6000 in cash and prizes to our participants.
Meet the Committee
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Aleria McKay
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Aleria McKay is an Onondaga & Teme Augama Anishnabai mother, writer, and educator from Six Nations of the Grand River. Aleria holds a BA in Theatre and Indigenous Studies and a BEd. She is currently working toward her MFA in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Her most recent projects include Sweetgrass & Cigarettes, and Homecoming. You can read more at www.aleriamck.com. -
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Mikenzie Sandy
FINAL SHOWCASE COORDINATOR
Mikenzie is Cayuga nation and Wolf clan from Ohswé:ken. She works full time as a TA at Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa, and part time as an RA with the Ratiwennokwas documentation project, consultant, and collaborator within several community grant-funded organizations. Mikenzie graduated from the University of Toronto in 2023 with a Master of Arts in linguistics. -
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Jessica Frappier
JUDGES COORDINATOR
Jessica Frappier is Anishinaabe from Temagami First Nation. She is completing her Master of Laws (LLM) in Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy at the University of Arizona and recently earned her JD/JID from the University of Victoria, specializing in Canadian common law and Indigenous legal orders. Jessica’s work focuses on Indigenous governance, constitutional development, environmental justice, and the revitalization of Indigenous legal traditions. -
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Jessica McKenzie
GALA COORDINATOR
Jessica McKenzie is a proud member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, living in Toronto, ON. She is a sister, beadwork artist, and the inaugural Miss Indigenous Canada. With her love for community, she encourages cultural revitalization through traditional beading workshops. Jessica has been recognized on APTN, Women of Influence, and in the Globe and Mail, where she champions the importance of Indigenous art to community and culture.
