Esther Bosum became the first Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau from Ouje-Bougoumou – and the youngest, at age 17, to win the pageant – on March 21.
“It’s been such a blessing to have my entire community and family behind me,” said Bosum. “Winning this title is so reassuring. I feel like I’m coming out of my shell. I felt a lot of support from all the girls – it’s such an honour to have been able to stand by them.”
The two-day event in Nemaska was significantly revamped this year. Former Miss Eeyou Jade Mukash worked with the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association (CWEIA) to develop a supportive environment for the contestants, starting with a day of connecting, coaching and pageant preparation.
For the first time, a majority of the judges came from outside Eeyou Istchee. Former Miss Cree Nation Andrea Mcleod was joined by the current Miss Indigenous Canada, Gena Boubard, and Emma Morrison, who made history as the first Indigenous woman to win both Miss Teenage Canada and Miss World Canada.
“It’s for those young contestants to learn more about themselves and build up their confidence, for them to leave feeling everyone’s a winner,” explained Mukash. “Emma, Gena and I presented our pageant journeys and gave some teachings. Pageants can be very overwhelming – we wanted them to have that emotional support.”
New rules require participants to be between 18 and 25, but a one-time exemption allowed Bosum to compete because she had already been crowned by her community under the previous criteria. The first runner-up, Nemaska’s Layla Orr, will serve as the official representative for events requiring a minimum age of 18.
Orr’s powerful speech about preserving ancestral teachings brought the crowd to tears. She also discussed preparing moose hide and performed jingle dress dancing. Miss Whapmagoostui, Joni Boudrias, was named second runner-up. Boudrias was celebrated for her Elder advocacy and fancy shawl dancing.
“We added a new judging category called charitable giving,” Mukash said. “It’s something I’d seen done at the national level and it was amazing to see the work that contestants had done to support their people.”
Unlike other pageants emphasizing beauty, First Nations pageants embrace ambassadorship, self-discovery and sisterhood. As Miss Eeyou organizers said, “True beauty comes from within, knowing who you are, and honouring where you come from.”
In a generous tribute, Boudrias complimented Bosum’s grace, courage and “beautiful soul”. Boudrias said she’d never forget how Bosum “made me feel seen, and that meant more to me than I can put into words.”
Bosum was also awarded Miss Congeniality, with organizers suggesting “her greatest gift is the warmth she shares with everyone around her.” Meanwhile, her speech in Cree earned her a $1,500 award from the Cree Language Commission.
As the first day was mostly spent forming friendships, Bosum said she felt less intimidated during the pageant’s interview portion. She also realized she is related to Miss Mistissini, Kristin Quinn, who earned the Healthy Lifestyle Award, sponsored by the Cree Health Board.
Modelling a moose-hide dress made by her Gookum Hattie and the late Maggie Wapachee, Bosum said she felt empowered by Morrison’s workshop about walking with confidence. Bosum’s personal flair for baking fresh goods touched the judges’ hearts (and taste buds). Her mother, Minnie Bosum, noted that Esther insisted on baking treats for her fellow contestants.
“I like to bake cookies to fundraise for my volleyball tournaments and charitable giving,” said Bosum. “I’ve been accepted to Algonquin College for the Baking and Pastry Arts Management program this fall. I plan to build a business out of it and become an entrepreneur.”
Melina Neeposh handcrafted the crown, sash and earrings for Miss Eeyou. The Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA) contributed the handcrafted tamarack decoy prizes, with Jason Otter making the wooden trophies.
CNACA also sponsored the pageant’s Artist Award, which went to Chisasibi’s Danielle Sealhunter for capturing the beauty of the Cree culture and people. She expressed gratitude for the experience and close connections it created.
Wemindji school commissioner Gillian Blackned won the Leadership Award, sponsored by the Cree Nation Youth Council. Her volunteer work providing logistics support with public safety during the community’s forest fires was highlighted.
The Cree School Board’s Education Award went to Waswanipi’s Valerie Neeposh. Moving to the city for high school and post-secondary studies, Neeposh said maintaining her Cree identity was challenging but has retained her language and traditional cooking skills.
Currently part of University of Ottawa’s wind ensemble, Neeposh taught herself to play piano, trumpet, trombone, violin and cello. With an audio engineering diploma from Algonquin College, Neeposh is now exploring musicology.
“Picking up those new instruments has given me the opportunity to teach other students how to play,” said Neeposh. “I have plans for what I could bring back to Waswanipi. You’re given that voice to speak up about things that really matter to you.”
Many highlighted Mukash’s tireless work in helping organize the event and sharing advice throughout the process. As a young single mother during her reign as Miss Whapmagoostui, Mukash pushed herself to be a good role model.
“My biggest teaching was believing in myself,” asserted Mukash. “I spoke to doctors about to graduate and over 300 nurses at a Cree Health Board gathering, advocating for cultural safety in healthcare across Eeyou Istchee and beyond. Carrying the crown is not just a title – it’s a chance to make a difference.”