Sarah Lewis, the City of Peterborough’s inaugural poet laureate, is in the running for the Miss Indigenous Canada title.
Lewis, a spoken-word artist from Curve Lake First Nation near Peterborough, is one of 26 contestants vying for the crown, which will be awarded on Saturday (July 27) as part of an event currently underway at the Courtyard by Marriott in Hamilton, which is Six Nations of the Grand River territory.
Unlike other pageants, Miss Indigenous Canada is not a beauty contest.
“Miss Indigenous Canada is a three-day event geared towards young Indigenous leaders of tomorrow,” states the Miss Indigenous Canada website.
“Above all, we value self-development, community service, cultural involvement, empowerment, and authentic representation. The program was created in an effort to provide an outlet for young Indigenous women to celebrate their abilities and achievements, make connections with like-minded peers, work to serve their communities, and promote cultural involvement and connection.”
Contestants hail from First Nations communities across the country.
The final day of the pageant is a public event taking place at the Gathering Place by the Grand in Ohsweken and is described as “a night of celebration and empowerment.
“Witness the beauty and talent of Indigenous women from all across Canada as they compete for the coveted title. Get ready for a night filled with cultural performances, traditional attire, and inspiring stories.”
Hosted by Chelazon Leroux and Miss Six Nations 2023 Kari Hill, the evening features a traditional presentation, a “top five final question,” a guest performance by Semiah, and the crowning of the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada.
While online tickets for the event are sold out, a limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Lewis, 28, is representing Curve Lake First Nation. In addition to being an Ojibwe and Cree spoken-word poet, she is a mother, activist, and author. Lewis attended Trent University in Peterborough and served as the city’s inaugural poet laureate from 2021 to 2022. She has been featured on CBC Arts, Global News, and stages across the world.
“Her poetry is birthed from an unapologetic woman sick of a colonial, capitalistic, sexist society, who feels we can use our voices to dismantle and break free from these harmful systems,” reads a description of Lewis on the Miss Indigenous Canada website. “When Sarah is not performing poetry, you can find her in meditation, in ceremony, hiking in the forest, reading or running.”
As for Lewis herself, she said in a social media post that she feels “blessed to take part in such a historical moment for the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada pageant.
“I think we could all agree on how emotional it felt to be in a room full of powerful Indigenous women who embody strength, passion, and leadership. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week and weekend bring.”
Find out more about Miss Indigenous Canada at www.missindigenouscanada.ca.
