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and are longing for a deep sense of belonging and meaningful ways to contribute. I see motivated youth population who are deeply engaged and wanting to create a world where they see themselves represented and where they have a voice. Overall, system changes are required; it takes time to change systems and wholeheartedly, I see people dedicated to creating positive change but often without the necessary supports and resources. Q: What does your role as Team Lead for Calgary%u2019s Indigenous Relations Office entail, and what impact do you hope to achieve?A: As Team Lead, I get to lead the Indigenous Relations portfolio for the City and with that, I have the opportunity to help share the rich and diverse histories of these lands, as shared by the Original Peoples, and create a sense of belonging for all Indigenous Peoples. With this work, I have the opportunity to create more spaces and places that offer connection and learning for all people. We need more spaces for commemoration and celebration that honour the histories of this land and its Original Peoples and this is an impact I hope to achieve.Q: How did your early experiences as an Indigenous woman in rural Alberta shape your career in conflict transformation and leadership?A: Growing up in Alberta shaped who I am today in so many ways. I definitely struggled as kid with poor socio-economic factors and feelings of loneliness and alienation and, at the same time, I found possibility and opportunities. As a young person, I was trying to figure out who I was in a place that at the time had little to no cultural diversity and I was asking questions that often had no answers. I felt a deep sense of shame in who I was and where I came from. I was so fortunate, however, as I had a mother who never gave up, no matter how tough it was, a big sister who inspired me and teachers who saw that I had potential. They helped me reach potential and possibilities I didn%u2019t even dare to dream of. I later learned that some of what I faced growing up were the legacies of intergenerational trauma and colonial policies which include impacts from the residential school system and the 60s scope. The answers I was seeking to who I was and where I came from had deep roots that I could not even fathom at the time. This includes the shame and stigma of my Indigenous roots, the intentional hiding of who we were and where we came from and the significant impacts to my father and his life.When given the opportunity to travel, I learned so much about myself through exploring other cultures and I started to ask questions and face the shame and stigma buried so deep. With this came so many lessons about how difficult conversations have, which is at the root of conflict transformation and what leadership requires. It requires a duality of being able to navigate uncertainty while at the same time being okay with it; it also requires communities and connections. I have learned that non one a leader without the support of communities.Q: What motivated you to enter international pageantry, and how did it feel to win the Mrs. Unity World Elite title in India?A: The idea first came out in conversation in 2020 about the potential to bring increased discussions of positive peace to pageant stages, where world peace is often talked about. It was a bit of a dare and a leap. We thought I might have a chance given my work as a peacebuilder and my role as Positive Peace Activator with Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace. I had also previously served as Miss Edmonton as part of Miss Canada International 2001. It had been 19 years since I had been on a pageant stage but with the same gumption as I did so long ago, I boldly entered the 2020 competition for Mrs. Canada Globe as Mrs. Southwest Globe. I surprised myself and others and won! I served as Mrs. Canada Globe from 2020-2023. During that time, I placed in the top 10 in the international competition and had the longest reign of a Mrs. Canada due to the pandemic as well as the desire to keep the title of Mrs. Canada over any other title. This experience was so amazing as I had the opportunity to travel to 5 continents with my crown and engage with so many people in meaningful ways through community work, keynote speeches and appearances. I had never seen a M%u00e9tis sash on any international pageant stage before and from the outset, I have worn my sash, spoken my language, danced our traditional dances and worn Indigenous inspired fashion from my earrings to my shoes and dresses.MOSTMAGAZINEMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 61 57