Photo: Brianda Robillard, Photo from the MISS Indigenous Canada Website
MBC News and Dene Honi both interviewed Brianda Robillard, Miss Indigenous Candidate 2026.
We will be sharing the interviews here and in our on-demand library for your listening pleasure. Check back for the English Interview at a later date.
By: Danielle Dufour
Brianda Robillard, from Black Lake Denesuline First Nation representing Saskatchewan, is one of 20 delegates competing to be the next Miss Indigenous Canada 2026.
“I feel very honoured to represent my community,” said Robillard.
Miss Indigenous Canada is a leadership development and ambassador program, geared towards First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth. The final event will be held on Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario from July 20th-25th 2026.
She was drawn to the program by how they presented the importance of leadership and ethics.
“They are trying to teach Indigenous women to embrace their culture, their identity, their leadership skills, empowering other women, getting yourself out there and what I can do to help,” said Robillard.
The program was created to equip young Indigenous people with the skills they need to succeed as community leaders and give back to their communities.
Delegates must be at least 18 years old and no older than 30 by the first day of program week. As Robillard is about to turn 30 years old, she thought why not give it a try while she still can.
She is a stay-at-home mom to a seven-year-old boy and is about to get married.
Beyond focusing on her family and upcoming wedding, she is busy focusing on Miss Indigenous Canada tasks.
The Miss Indigenous Canada Program consists of three main components that all delegates participate in pre-program training. Participants will engage in a training workshop and complete four online modules, then the program week retreat activities followed by the ambassador competition.
“As a delegate I have to fundraise for a charity event,” said Robillard. “They are teaching us to be the ambassador for Miss Indigenous Canada, how you carry yourself, how you present yourself, they look into that area as well.”
She has completed her profile and bio for the competition.
“We also have to submit a personal essay,” said Robillard. “Prepping myself, it’s like an exciting pressure cooker.”
The delegates must conduct fundraisers to raise funds for this years chosen non-profit organization Sunshine House in Winnipeg, a community drop-in resource centre focusing on social inclusion and harm reduction.
Unfortunately, Robillard’s mental health took a toll on her during the beginning of the competition, and she needed some time to get well.
“When I felt better, I thought to myself it’s not too late yet, I still have time, so I put up my first draw fundraiser on my Facebook page and I made $500 from it,” said Robillard.
With all the good things Robillard has going on, she is taking it all in and feeling very grateful.
“I feel very blessed to do all the tasks that is coming my way and it just makes me so excited to present on behalf of my community,” said Robillard.
Robillard has partnered with Emmy Sayazie, a Skills Canada Saskatchewan Gold Medalist beading artist from Black Lake First Nation, who will be designing her final gala outfit.
If Robillard wins Miss Indigenous Canada, she said, “It means being the voice for all the Indigenous that are being unheard; to make someone feel valued, heard and seen.”
She credits her Elders for teaching her the values that guide her along this journey including respect, empathy, resilience and gratitude.
“For younger generations that see me doing better for myself and my life, please make a decision now to make a better choice for your life as well,” said Robillard.
She is thankful for all the support from her community and sponsors and said, “It helps, it motivates me to carry myself, not just for myself but for my ancestors and my community.”