CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
Local News Weekly
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Vol. 29, Issue 45, July 10, 2025
705 - 864 - 0911
'History in the making': Indigenous woman reps Canada on world stage 'If you just take that step outside your comfort zone, you don't know what doors you're going to be able to open for yourself,' says pageant contestant By Marissa Lentz-McGrath hen Emma Morrison stepped onto the Miss World stage in India, she wasn’t just representing Canada — she was making history. The 24-year-old from Chapleau Cree First Nation is the first Indigenous woman to represent the country at the international pageant. “It was such a great feeling,” she said. “Regardless of the results, I knew that just being there and being present, that's already history in the making.” Morrison recently competed at the 72nd Miss World Festival in Telangana, India. The pageant ran from May 7 to 31. Although Morrison didn’t place at the competition, which saw nearly 110 contestants from around the globe vying for the crown, she said her sense of pride and fulfillment far outweighed any disappointment. “I define success just by working so hard, leaving no stone unturned,” she said. “I know that I just put my whole heart out there … and that is how I define success.” At the pageant’s opening ceremony, Morrison proudly wore a shawl regalia she designed and sewed herself, a process that Long Term took months of design Forecast and years of learning. Thursday Pinned to it was a beaded High 26 orange shirt in rememLow 13 brance of residential Friday school victims. High 29 Hearing her father Low 17 cheering from the
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audience while she danced was a moment she’ll never forget. “We were all just extremely proud, extremely grateful,” she said. “I think my family cried the entire time I was there.” Among the many memories from her month-long journey in India, one stood out. During a visit to an eco park, Morrison had the chance to plant a tree with a young camper — a symbolic moment of growth and connection she said will live on even now that she’s returned to Canada. Beyond the stage, Morrison connected with other contestants through shared stories about their traditional outfits and cultural practices. She said these conversations created bonds that transcended borders. “I was so proud to say I made my own,” she said. “It felt really good to connect with other Indigenous peoples across the world and know that we have lots of similarities everywhere.” Almost 25, Morrison’s journey into pageantry has also become a platform for her community work. Her “Beauty With a Purpose” project — a core component of Miss World — is called Ribbons and aims to uplift Indigenous women and girls through sewing, charity and education. She raises funds by sewing and selling or raffling ribbon skirts, with proceeds going toward school supplies for students at her former elementary school. “I hope to expand it to reach more communities in Treaty 9,” she said. “I have big plans for Ribbons.” Morrison’s advice for other Indigenous girls dreaming of pageantry or public platforms is simple: just try. “If you just take that step outside your
comfort zone, you don't know what doors you're going to be able to open for yourself,” she said. “If I hated pageantry, I never had to compete again. But I love it, and it's thanks to stepping outside my comfort zone.” While she’s back home for now — resting, spending time with family, and continuing to work with Turtle Concepts — Morrison isn’t slowing down. She’s also preparing to volunteer at the upcoming Miss Indigenous Canada pageant. Her hope is that her story inspires the next generation. “I would love to see a native woman from Turtle Island win the Miss World crown,” she said. “We have so much to offer the world.”
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