Goodleaf eyes Miss Indigenous crown

Karahkwinetha Sage Goodleaf has always loved fashion and beauty, but that’s not what motivated her to run for this year’s Miss Indigenous Canada pageant - for her, it’s about running on a platform that sheds light on the environmental issues facing Kahnawake.

“I want to get more eyes on it. I want people to understand exactly what’s happening here in Kahnawake,” Goodleaf said.

Goodleaf is one of 20 hopefuls selected for this year’s Miss Indigenous Canada competition, which will culminate in a gala in Six Nations in late July.

Over the next few months, she’ll be putting together materials that showcase her identity and connection to the community, before heading out to Six Nations for in-person components, like a cultural presentation and a personal interview.

As part of her preparation, she’ll also be making a community scrapbook, creating a visual representation of what makes Kahnawake what it is, and highlighting her own community involvement.

“I have so much gratitude to even be offered the opportunity to discuss these things, and to build with other women and discuss our culture, our roles and responsibilities, and what we need to do for the next seven generations,” Goodleaf said. “I love seeing how everyone contributes to their communities and seeing how we can connect together.”

Goodleaf was inspired to apply for the pageant after supporting her friend, Kahentísa’s Alfred, who ran in 2024, the inaugural year of the competition.

“She had so much fun, and I loved helping her pick out her outfits for the pageant, just discussing outfits and what they might mean,” Goodleaf said. “It was just great to see the relationships she built there.”

This year marks the third year of the pageant, and each year there’s been Kanien’kehá:ka representation - last year, Kanehsata’kehró:non Julia Kanathiiostha Lazore was also a competitor, making the top five of the competition and being recognized with the Community Service Award.

Goodleaf is hopeful that she’ll meet other like-minded Onkwehón:we women throughout the process, and that she can bring back more ideas and energy to tackle climate and environment issues she sees in the community.

“I want to discuss what other nations are doing with the environment, and look at how we can work together, thinking of things like our bartering system and how we can trade with each other, just igniting those relationships again,” Goodleaf said.

“We need to be at the table discussing these environmental issues that affect us, we need to be a part of the solution, and navigate how our solutions will benefit us, as opposed to people writing policy for us.”

She said she’s most excited about being in a space focused on uplifting other women.

“We’re a matriarchal society and so it’s important we connect with other leaders,” she said. “I’m hoping that these relationships with these incredible people I’m about to meet will be generational, and not just a one-time thing. We’re not just in this for one season; it’s for our lifetimes and the lifetimes to come.”

This year’s Miss Indigenous Canada pageant will take place July 22 in Six Nations.

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