Miss Universe Canada looks back on her journey on the world’s biggest beauty pageant stage, offering an inspiring message to young women. Ahead of the 73rd annual competition to be held Saturday evening in Mexico City, the 35-year-old candidate Ashley Callingbull opened up about representing indigenous people and hoping to inspire others.

“A dream I had since I was young is about to come true,” she says. started in a post shared on Instagram Saturday afternoon. “Whatever happens tonight, I am very honored and proud to represent my country, the Enoch Cree Nation, all Indigenous peoples and my country on the biggest pageant stage in the world.”

Callbull’s job included several snapshots of various photos taken when she was a child, starting with a photo where she posed with her mother and wore a tiara as well as a beauty pageant sash with traditional attire. Other photos in his post included more recent photos, as well as a snapshot of the national costume that she wore during the preliminaries on November 14.

“I hope this inspires many other young women around the world that it doesn’t matter where we come from because all of our lives have value and we deserve to be respected, seen and heard for the way whose creator created us,” she continued writing in her post.

The model, actress and activist went on to point out that while she might be the “first indigenous First Nations woman” to take the stage at the Miss Universe pageant, it’s very important to know that she won’t be the last.

“We deserve to be in these spaces and be represented properly and I’m so grateful to make my mark for all of us because this is so much bigger than me,” she shared. “One last thing… Mom, thank you for being there for me every step of the way and always believing in my dreams.”

In the comments section of the post, people shared their love for the Miss Universe Canada contestant. Many fans also wished Callingbull good luck in the competition, which will begin at 9 p.m. EST at the CDMX Arena in the Mexican capital.

“We are with you”, Dominique Doucette, finalist of Miss Universe Canada 2023 wroteaccompanied by three red heart emojis.

“Beautiful inside and out. Rooting for you,” one person said common.

“I opened this door to everyone”, another delirium.

“I’m sending a lot of positive energy,” a fan added.

Talk to Yahoo Canada earlier this year After her victory at Miss Universe Canada, Callingbull declared that she was the first indigenous representative to represent Canada at the international pageant.

“It took so long for an Indigenous representative from Canada to represent Canada. The first peoples of this country Never already represented Canada in a Miss Universe pageant,” she said. note. “I know there’s a lot of pressure and responsibility that comes with it, but I’m so honored and so proud.”

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