Who is Ashley Callingbull? Model and activist becomes first Indigenous woman crowned Miss Universe Canada
The 34-year-old actress and Sports Illustrated model is a passionate First Nations activist and advocate.
Ashley Callingbull is making Canadian beauty pageant history. On July 27, the 34-year-old became the first Indigenous woman to win Miss Universe Canada and the first woman over the age of 28 to earn the crown.
Callingbull reigned supreme amongst the 64 contestants who competed for the title during the 2024 Miss Universe Canada pageant in Windsor, Ont. She’ll represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico in November.
“This is the most surreal feeling. I’ve been chasing this dream for years and I’m still in awe that it really came true. A girl from the Rez is going to represent Enoch Cree Nation, Treaty 6, Indigenous peoples and all Canadians on the Miss Universe stage,” Callingbull wrote on Instagram. “Representation truly matters because when one of us wins, we all win. Rez kids really can do anything! This win is for all the dreamers out there.”
Who is Ashley Callingbull? Keep reading to learn more about the barrier-breaking TV host and actress.
She's proud of her Indigenous roots
Callingbull is from Enoch Cree Nation, a First Nation community located west of Edmonton.
Elders in the Cree and Blackfoot communities have gifted her the names Shining Rock and Sacred Pipe Woman, respectively.
Callingbull's childhood was traumatic
At 5-years-old Callingbull and her mother left their Enoch Cree Nation home and moved to Maskwacis, approximately 70 kilometres south of Edmonton to live with her mother’s boyfriend.
In addition to growing up in poverty, Callingbull was physically and sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend, who threatened to kill her and her mother if she told anyone about the abuse.
In an interview with FASHION, Callingbull said she and her mother were able to escape after five years of abuse, and testified against her abuser in court when she was 10.
Her grandparents and Indigenous culture helped her overcome 'hell'
In a podcast interview with Redpath Radio with Marika Sila, Callingbull said the effect of the abuse wreaked havoc on her mental health and caused her to contemplate turning to “negative things” like drugs and alcohol to numb her pain.
Callingbull began learning about her culture from her grandparents, who practiced traditional Indigenous medicine. Their teachings and wisdom encourage her to make healthier, smarter choices for herself and trust in the resiliency of her culture and bloodline.
“I just kept thinking about my future because I felt like a lot of my life was wasted living, you know, in hell and living through trauma. I was like, I'm going to give myself a good life and I'm going to focus on what's best for me," she said.
Callingbull is a successful model, actress and TV host
Callingbull began competing pageants at a young age, winning princess titles during powwows on the reservation where she grew up.
In 2015, she became the first Canadian and first Indigenous woman to win Mrs. Universe, as Ashley Callingbull Burnham.
Callingbull graduated from Concordia University of Edmonton and pursued a career in modelling and acting, landing roles in “Blackstone,” “Tribal” and “The Great Salish Heist.”
In 2022 she became the first Indigenous woman featured in Sports Illustrated. She currently works as an in-game host for the National Hockey League and Canadian Football League.
She’s an activist and advocate
In addition to her creative pursuits, Callingbull uses her platform to speak out on violence against Indigenous women, access to clean drinking water, land stewardship, the foster care system and environmental protection.
In 2022, Callingbull received Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee medal for her service to the Indigenous community and Canada.
Callingbull shared her hopes create a foundation that establishes shelters for women and children in need with FASHION.
"I may not be a medicine woman, but I can still help people heal," she said.
Personal life
In 2021, Callingbull married former NHL hockey player Wacey Rabbit, who previously played for the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators. Rabbit made history in 2005 when he became the first member of the Blackfoot nation drafted to the NHL. He currently works as the assistant coach for the Saskatoon Blades.
In a 2022 interview, Callingbull said she and Rabbit had been friends for approximately four years before they began dating. For their first date, Rabbit flew Callingbull to Norway where he was playing hockey.
"It was pretty extreme…but when you know you know," she said. "And now we’re married.”
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