Dokis First Nation member crowned Miss North Ontario 2022

N’SWAKAMOK — Grace Webb represented Dokis First Nation, one of the 39 member Anishinabek Nation First Nations, during her run in the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada Scholarship Pageant. Webb was crowned Miss North Ontario 2022 during the pageant ceremony held at Sudbury Secondary School in Sudbury, Ont, on May 15.

“I was inspired to compete because I wanted my voice to be heard as a young Indigenous woman from a smaller reserve; I wanted to put my First Nation on the map. I felt so proud to represent Dokis, we are a small but mighty reserve. I have so many people to thank: my family, Dokis First Nation, all my sponsors who believed in me, Cheryl Kozera – the Pageant Coordinator who encouraged me to enter, but most of all, my mom. I had the best supports in place that never wavered, they were all strong to the end,” commented Webb.

The newly-crowned Miss North Ontario Regional Canada 2022 is in the Law and Justice program at Laurentian University. Having family in both Dokis First Nation and M’Chigeeng First Nation, Webb has made many family members and friends extremely proud.

“Grace has always been a born leader; she thrives on mentoring and empowering others. She connects well with just about anyone she crosses paths with. She is a very proud Kwezens. She presented herself into the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada Scholarship Pageant as a first-time pageant participant with confidence and pride to represent Dokis First Nation. Her win is still very surreal. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments thus far! She is surrounded by many mentors – our family, her Dokis family and my own M’Chigeeng family,” said mother Beverly Webb.

Webb plans on using this platform to leverage the lack of clean drinking water in many First Nations. She sees this as an opportunity for her voice to be heard and to encourage First Nation youth to strive for their best.

“Never give up. Growing up sometimes can be hard, but we as Indigenous youth need to be involved. There is a mass of organizations that involve our Indigenous youth and it’s always encouraged to become involved as much as possible. Follow our Seven Grandfather Teachings to help guide you, absorb our beautiful Indigenous culture as much as you possibly can,” added Webb. “I plan to visit my reserve in hopes to speak to all our Indigenous youth, hopefully answer some questions they may have, empower them, build them up to know that their knowledge is power, mentor them and they are supported. I also plan to attend some public events and hopefully be invited to speak at some Indigenous conferences.”

Webb was also the winner of the Public Speaking Award.

Miss North Ontario has been empowering Northern Ontario’s young women to recognize their value, worth and potential. Some of the opportunities for delegates of the Miss North Ontario include earning a $2,000 cash scholarship, creating friendships, receiving training in several areas such as communication and public speaking, representing respective community, fundraise for worthy causes, and accrue volunteer hours.

Other delegates within the Anishinabek Nation include but not limited to Katrina Keech from Mississauga #8 First Nation, Alicia Speng from Michipicoten First Nation, Ava Couchie from Nipissing First Nation, Tia Nootchtai from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. For more information on other delegates, please visit: 2022 Delegates (missnorthontario.ca)