Two Miss Universe Canada contestants have apologised after they walked onto the stage in Indigenous-style outfits during the pageant.

One contestant, Karisa Haverkamp, wore a large feather headdress and had a red handprint on her face which symbolises solidarity with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.

The other contestant, Jasleen Kaily, donned a skimpy fur dress and knee-high boots and wore her hair in twin braids, labelling her outfit ‘Arctic Beauty’.

Thirty-five contestants were competing in the national pageantry costume competition in Windsor, Ontario.

Following a shocked public reaction, the Miss Universe Canada pageant issued an apology.

“If any costume caused offence, hurt, or misunderstanding, please know that it was never our intention,” said a statement.

During the pageant, former winner Ashley Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman who was a co-presenter, called out the “cultural appropriation”.

“It’s 2026. We should know better, but most importantly a part of reconciliation is that we educate and learn and understand and move on from these things in a good way,” she stated.

Later, in an interview with CBC Indigenous, Callingbull said “my jaw just dropped on the floor.”

“This cannot be real. I just couldn’t get over that this was happening. Who allowed this on stage? Who approved this?” she said.

“Anything traditional or sacred should not be allowed. I was very, very upset.”

Haverkamp later addressed her costume on social media.

“I acknowledge and recognise that my outfit for the national costume caused hurt and offence to people in the indigenous community.

“I appreciate what I have learned from this experience.”

Kaily also apologised, saying she had wanted to celebrate the First Peoples of Canada.

“My intention was never to disrespect or misrepresent Indigenous culture.”