Sereena Nahmabin says her experience at the Miss Indigenous Canada competition last month was ‘life-changing.’
Not only was the 28-year-old representing Aamjiwnaang First Nation named third-runner-up at the inaugural pageant, she also earned the prestigious Charitable Giving Award.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” said Nahmabin, a Constable with the London Police Service. “I have learned so much and grown so much from doing this, and I am just so grateful for the opportunity.”
Nahmabin was among 26 contestants selected from some 400 applicants from across Canada for the competition, designed to empower and encourage young Indigenous women to develop leadership skills, give back to their communities, and connect to their cultures.
The event took place over three days, held on the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, and unlike typical pageants, was comprised of interviews, personal essays, cultural presentations and community scrapbooks.
“This is what intrigued me the most — it’s the first pageant to do something like this — to promote culture, to promote community, and leadership. It’s more about what you’re doing internally; what good are you doing on the inside.”
The event also included a charity component, inviting contestants to raise funds and to support Indigenous youth through an organization called We Matter.
Nahmabin chose to organize and host a charity boxing event at the Aamjiwnaang First Nation Community Centre July 13.
“Boxing has really shaped who I am and has built my character,” said Nahmabin, who spent years as a competitive boxer. “I really wanted to have other youth see that, because it played such a huge role in my life.
“And to host it in my home community was special… to have my community come together and see something like this happen.”
The event raised an impressive $7,000, earning Nahmabin the pageant’s Charitable Giving Award.
She accepted the award, along with being named third-runner-up, at the pageant’s main event July 27.
“I was shocked,” she said. “I was grateful. I feel super blessed, and I am very eager for what’s next.”
She said she’s hoping to stay involved with the event — which will be held annually — whether it’s as a contestant, or as a mentor to other young Indigenous women from her community.
“There is literally no losing,” she said, adding that listening, learning and developing relationships with the other women is what impacted her the most.
“We’ve all gone through similar things as Indigenous people; we have our struggles in our communities,” she explained. “And to see all of us sitting there was so empowering to just be like, wow — these girls have come from some very difficult times, some trauma in their lives, and now look at them — doing something so courageous as the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canada.
“I was a proud sister. I am a proud sister.”
View the full competition below:
Full list of results:
Miss Indigenous Canada 2024: Jessica McKenzie, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
1st Runner-Up: Meiyah Whiteduck, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation
2nd Runner-Up: Sarah Lewis, Curve Lake First Nation
3rd Runner-Up: Sereena Nahmabin, Aamjiwnaang
4th Runner-Up: Emily Kewageshig, Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation
Academic Achievement Award: Jaida Gregg
Public Speaking Award: Ocean Bruyere
Traditional Knowledge Award: Jade Mukash
Charitable Giving Award: Sereena Nahmabin
Congeniality Award, in memory of Jayda Otosquaiob: Jessica McKenzie
Community Service Award: Reegan Starr Maracle