A Walpole Island First Nation resident has been honoured with an award as part of a national Indigenous competition.
Larissa Wrightman of Bkejwanong Territory received the Charitable Giving Award during the Miss Indigenous Canada Pageant hosted by Six Nations of the Grand River.
The event, held from July 23-26, welcomed 19 contestants representing more than 20 different First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities from across the country. Each of the contestants competed in various categories, including personal essay, community scrapbook, personal interview, and cultural presentation.
Gena Boubard of Sagkeeng First Nation was crowned Miss Indigenous Canada 2025, while Wrightman was named the first runner-up.
As part of the pageant, the contestants also raised over $7,000 in support of the We Matter Campaign, which focuses on Indigenous youth mental health and suicide prevention.
The Miss Indigenous Canada Pageant is a non-profit, youth-led initiative committed to empowering Indigenous youth through leadership development, cultural involvement, and community engagement.
