Emma Morrison is the first Indigenous woman to win Miss World Canada

A few years ago, Emma Morrison was just like any other 16-year-old from a small town. A member of Chapleau Cree First Nation in Ontario, she spent most of her time hunting, fishing and playing sports — until she joined the world of beauty pageantry.

Now 22, Morrison was crowned Miss World Canada on Sunday evening, making her the first Indigenous woman to hold the national title. She'll advance to the international Miss World competition next year in Vietnam. 

"It wasn't about being the first Indigenous woman to hold this title," Morrison told CBC News. "Of course that's a high honour … but I wanted to open that door for other Indigenous peoples to walk through."

Morrison's first pageant was in the Miss North Ontario competition, where she was just one of three Indigenous contestants among 39 overall. 

But the state of Indigenous representation in Canada's beauty pageant scene has since improved, she said, noting that this year's Miss North Ontario, Grace Webb, is a young woman from Dokis First Nation who was one of 10 Indigenous contestants in the 2022 event.

"I really do it for them, Indigenous youth, Indigenous little girls. Because I was once in their position," Morrison said. She competes to show her six younger foster siblings that they can reach their full potential.

"It doesn't have to be pageantry but it could be applying to university or stepping outside of your comfort zone, and it's just important to be that positive example that your dreams too are in reach."

Morrison might be the first Indigenous Miss World Canada, but she isn't the first to ascend to the top of the beauty pageant world. 

After winning Miss Teenage Canada in 2017, Morrison received a surprising social media friend request from Ashley Callingbull-Rabbit, who was the first Canadian and Indigenous woman to win Mrs. Universe in 2015.

Likening her to "a big sister," Morrison said that Callingbull-Rabbit has become a mentor and a guide as she advances through her pageant career.

WATCH | Beauty pageant winners discuss Indigenous representation:

"She too comes from a reserve and she is an example of, through passion and drive, you can achieve anything. So it's been fantastic having her take me under her wing," Morrison said.

Callingbull-Rabbit, in addition to Morrison, coaches a handful of other Indigenous beauty pageant contestants across Canada and the United States. She says she wishes she had someone to show her the ropes when she first started out.