This First Nations woman just made history by winning Mrs. Universe
Last night in Minsk, Belarus was the final event for Mrs. Universe 2015, a pageant in which all the contestants are married women. And last night, history was made. Ashley Burnham, a member of Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, just became the very first First Nations woman — and the first Canadian — to win the pageant.
Burnham, whose maiden name is Callingbull, is a 25-year-old actress, model, and motivational speaker, as well as a veteran pageant participant who rated very highly in Miss Universe Canada and Miss World Canada competitions. She supports various charities and children’s hospitals and mentors underprivileged aboriginal youth and is also currently the Youth Representative for the Stollery Family Centered Care Network for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
But to her, perhaps one of the most important parts of her identity is her culture and her people. She takes great pride in her Native Cree heritage and makes it a huge part of her work, wearing traditional First Nations clothing in shoots and pageants. Mrs. Universe 2015 was no exception; Burnham wore traditional First Nations clothing for the national outfit parade, wearing a “custom Canadian Jingle dress and beadwork that showcased [her] culture,” according to her Instagram.
She also incorporated her culture in the talent portion of the competition, wearing a dress by a First Nations designer while performing a traditional dance.
It’s been a long road for Burnham. In a 2013 interview with New Legacy, she opened up about her history of poverty, as well as physical and sexual abuse. “I lived through hell for years and finally escaped with my mother back to my home reserve in Enoch,” she explained in the interview. “My grandparents are very traditional and spiritual. This is the lifestyle I embraced and still embrace to this very day.”
Her grandmother taught her all about her culture as a First Nations woman. “It’s such an honor to represent my country, First Nations people and young women at International Pageants across the world,” she told New Legacy of being crowned Miss Universe Canada in 2010. “Never in my life did I think I could have that strength, determination and courage to stand up and be in the spotlight for reasons beyond me. I got involved because of the charity work the pageants involve and the voice I’d be able to have. It is definitely one of my proudest accomplishments.”
Little did she know that several years after being named Miss Universe Canada as Ashley Callingbull, she would be crowned Mrs. Universe as Ashley Burnham. Two days ago, the day before the crowning, she wrote on her Instagram, “Tomorrow night a new @mrsuniverse2015 will be crowned. I worked so hard to get to this day in hopes of becoming the next Mrs Universe. Whatever the outcome may be I know I’ve done my best and I will continue to do the charitable work I love to do.” Along with the caption was a picture of her wearing a crown.
And the very next day, she wore THE crown — the crown she had been dreaming of. Social media is celebrating, not only for Burnham, but for the First Nations people who are rejoicing from home.
Our hearts are bursting with happiness. Congratulations, Ashley — you have made history in the best way possible. In today’s day and age, any day the world celebrates diversity is a happy day indeed. You are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out.
(Images via Instagram.)
