Bengaluru/Hyderabad, May 15 — Emma Morrison, the first Indigenous woman to be crowned Miss World Canada, is currently in Telangana representing her country at the 72nd Miss World pageant. A proud member of the Mushkegowuk Cree (Swampy Cree) community, Morrison is using her platform to advocate for Indigenous women and preserve cultural traditions.
Raised in Chapleau, a small town in Northern Ontario with just 1,500 residents, Morrison says her journey began long before her crowning moment. Speaking about her mission, she said, “It started when I was a little girl — because of the residential school systems and the missing and murdered Indigenous women's epidemic. The discovery of 215 unmarked graves at Kamloops Residential School shaped how I see the world and my place in it.”
Morrison credits her mother, a source of strength and inspiration, for helping her turn grief into empowerment. This spirit led to her Beauty With a Purpose project, titled “Reconnecting Through Ribbon Skirts”, which honors Indigenous traditions through the use of ribbon skirts — garments worn by Indigenous women and two-spirit people. “The ribbon skirts make us feel empowered and inspire us to reclaim our strength in a country where we still face high challenges,” she explained.
Her visit to India has been both meaningful and emotional. After a 27-hour journey, Morrison explored the 1,000 Pillar Temple (Rudreswara Swamy Temple) and Warangal Fort, calling them “sacred sites” and reflecting on how deeply culture and tradition shape identity. “It’s truly inspiring to see how strong and enduring these cultures and traditions are, passed down through generations and still standing with pride,” she noted on Instagram.
Morrison, who previously won the Miss Teenage World crown at 17, has held the Miss World Canada title for over two and a half years. “It feels so surreal that I’m finally here at the Miss World Festival in Hyderabad. In Canada, when one Indigenous person wins, we all win. So the support has been absolutely incredible,” she said.
She also shared her excitement about her family joining her in India later this month. “They are going to love it, and it’ll be their first time in India too.”
Morrison’s journey at Miss World isn’t just about competition—it’s a celebration of resilience, heritage, and hope for Indigenous communities worldwide.
