sa国际传媒淚 love to experience new things, try everything,sa国际传媒� explained Sierra Chi?ela William, during a break from her pageant duties in Toronto.

Raised in the remote community of Xeni Gwetsa国际传媒檌n First Nation, located 180 kilometres west of Williams Lake, the nineteen-year-old is a long ways from home in Toronto to compete for the title of Miss Canada Globe Petite.

Only in her first day of competition, William said she is already learning a ton.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 getting more out of my comfort zone doing this, which is honestly great,sa国际传媒� she said, of the experience so far. This is her very first ever pageant. The competition will include interviews, a gala night, a tea party and talent show, and other events, including modeling.

She plans to use the modeling aspects to highlight some Indigenous styles, including those from her own business, called Chi?ela Designs, making Indigenous clothing, including ribbon skirts and regalia.

sa国际传媒淚 can honestly do anything with it, which I really love.sa国际传媒�

William has been operating her own sewing business for nearly two years and was inspired to start the project thanks to her grandmother Eileen William, who had made her a ribbon skirt, jingle skirt and moccasins. Eileen taught Sierra to sew.

sa国际传媒淚 look up to her,sa国际传媒� said the young seamstress, who is in her third year of a social work degree as well.

Her reason for entering the competition is to help bring attention to the stories of residential and day school survivors.

Contestants choose an organization or charity to advocate for during the competition, and William will be promoting the Orange Shirt Day Society.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檓 the first generation not to go to residential school,sa国际传媒� said Sierra, whose grandmother, father and uncle are all residential school survivors. sa国际传媒淚 want them to be heard.sa国际传媒�

While only about half of the contestants had arrived at this early stage in the competition, due to weather travel delays, she said they are expecting about 34 contestants in total for all of the categories.

In Sierrasa国际传媒檚 Petite category, contestants have to be five foot and five inches tall or under, and she is five feet, five inches.

While some may be critical of pageants with their focus on appearance, Sierra has been only hearing positive things from friends and family.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檝e been getting nothing but love and support.sa国际传媒�

Sierra is the daughter of Shannon Stump and Roger William, who was the chief of Xeni Gwetsa国际传媒檌n for many years and helped lead the Tsilhqotsa国际传媒檌n Title and Rights case to the Supreme Court.

He is proud to see his daughter taking on this challenge.

sa国际传媒淪hesa国际传媒檚 a bright young lady,sa国际传媒� he said of his daughter, noting she grew up with three older brothers, which probably contributed to her developing a strong voice.

sa国际传媒淪ince she was a little girl she always challenged me,sa国际传媒� he said with a laugh.

Sierra Chi?ela William is the first ever woman from the Tsilhqotsa国际传媒檌n Nation to enter the Miss Canada Globe Petite Pageant.

sa国际传媒淚 think that would be amazing if I were to win,sa国际传媒� she said.

At press time, William reported she had so far been awarded the regional title of Miss Petite of Southern British Columbia.

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ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com
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