EDMONTON, AB-Ashley Callingbull, Cree, became the first First Nations woman from Canada to win when she was crowned Mrs. Universe in Belarus on August 29.

"We couldn't be prouder of Ashley," said Nola Wanuch, a councillor on Alberta's Enoch Cree First Nation, where Callingbull grew up.

Callingbull has received intense media attention following her win and something that brought criticism because some thought her win was receiving more media attention than the more serious issue of missing and murdered women. However, Wanuch disagrees. She says the new Mrs. Universe is bringing u...