Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation contestant wins 2025 Miss Indigenous Canada

Cheers echoed through the James Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg Wednesday as Gena Boubard arrived home from Toronto as Miss Indigenous Canada 2025.

Boubard, from Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, wore the crown and sash they won at the pageant as they were greeted with hugs from family and friends. 

"I'm feeling so many different emotions right now, mostly joy and just so honoured to be bringing the crown home to my community," Boubard said.

When it came down to the moment on stage when a winner would be announced, Boubard said they were ready to congratulate their competition. Then Boubard's name was called.

"It was such a shock, and all of the emotions kind of took over," Boubard said.

"I could not stop crying in the moment."

WATCH | Miss Indigenous Canada arrives home:

Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation contestant wins Miss Indigenous Canada 2025

3 days ago

Duration 1:58

The Miss Indigenous Canada 2025 pageant was held in Six Nations on July 26. Gena Boubard from Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation wowed the judges and is your new Miss Indigenous Canada 2025!

In its second year, the 2025 edition of the pageant was held in Six Nations of the Grand River territory near Hamilton. The first Miss Indigenous Canada, 2024 winner Jessica McKenzie, was also from a First Nation in Manitoba — Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

This year there were 19 competitors from communities across Canada.

Contestants compete in four categories: an essay competition, an interview portion, a cultural presentation and a scrapbook to display the work that each contestant does in their home community.

Boubard's work showcased representation. As a two-spirit and non-binary individual, they started a Pride committee in Sagkeeng and held the community's first-ever Pride festival this past June.

Kapanaise Thiebault, a friend of Boubard, waited to greet Boubard at the airport.

"They've been working endlessly and I'm beyond proud to see what they've done and their efforts have paid off," Thiebault said.

Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, the third runner-up in this year's pageant from Fort Nelson First Nation, 802 km north of Prince George, B.C., is a councillor in her community, holds a full-time job and is studying for a master's degree.

Behn-Tsakoza said she was inspired by the work and accomplishments of the other contestants.

"I want to go home and just continue to do good work," Behn-Tsakoza said. 

Boubard had words of encouragement to anyone struggling to find their place.

"I would tell them to stay true to themselves, authentically and confidently in their identity, and just know there is an entire nation of Indigenous people across Turtle Island cheering them on."