Photo: Anna Nateweyes, a 22-year-old from Sandy Bay Saskatchewan, photo from Miss Indigenous Canada
By: Danielle Dufour
Anna Nateweyes, a 22-year-old from Sandy Bay Saskatchewan and a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, is one of 20 delegates participating in the 2026 Miss Indigenous Canada competition.
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.
Following past delegates on Facebook, Nateweyes said, “It was just something I’ve always wished that I can be a part of, my dream or what I wished for is true.”
When she initially applied for the competition, she was halfway through her pregnancy with her first child.
“I was really hesitant to apply because I was kind of afraid of having a big belly during the competition, but then I realized, even if I did have a big belly that’s fine because that’s something really special to me,” said Nateweyes.
Having just had her child a month ago, she said she is excited to take her baby girl with her to the competition and talk about her experience.
Each delegate must conduct fundraisers to bring awareness and raise funds for this years chosen non-profit organization, the Sunshine House in Winnipeg, a community drop-in resource centre focusing on social inclusion and harm reduction.
Nateweyes is planning two events. The first is called “A grand in your hand,” where up to 100 play spots can be purchased for $20 each. After the draw is made, the winner takes a grand and a grand will go to the fundraiser.
She is also planning a rummage sale in her home community during the first week of July because she knows the town will be busy.
Nateweyes is so thankful for the support she has received from members from her community.
“I’m lucky to be a part of that band (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation) because I have a lot of support around me.”
For Nateweyes, the competition is not about winning.
“I think it’s more importantly the experience that I’m going to get and be a part of because that’s going to be a memory I get to keep with me for the rest of my life,” said Nateweyes. “It’s also giving other Indigenous females inspiration.”
Outside of the competition, she is working towards her bachelor’s degree in education.
“I am attending the CTEP (Cree Teacher Education Program) program located in Pelican Narrows, so I commute once in a while when I do have classes. Sometimes I have classes on Zoom,” said Nateweyes.
She is grateful the program is available in her community, so she didn’t have to move away for schooling.
This fall she will be in her fourth year of the program.
After graduating, Nateweyes plans to teach in her home community as they need help in the school.
“Being a teacher and being a Miss Indigenous Canada delegate is something I’ll always get to talk about and share with my students, and that‘s something I look forward too.”