Pageant seeks Miss Nunavut
Five women will represent territory at Miss Canada Globe pageant
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 19, 2015
NUNAVUT
It has been almost four years since Malaya Qaunirq-Chapman was named Miss Nunavut, and she's ready to see someone else take the title.
Amoudla Kootoo, 24, of Iqaluit is hoping to be named Miss Nunavut when she heads to Toronto in August to compete at the Miss Canada Globe pageant. So far, five Nunavummiut are expected to compete at the event. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo
Miranda Kootoo, 16, of Iqaluit will represent Nunavut at the Miss Teen Canada Globe event in August. - NNSL file photo |
If Amoudla Kootoo gets her way, she'll be the one.
"I'm just really excited to show the younger population that women can use these kinds of things to promote what we feel needs awareness," said Kootoo, who will compete against several other Nunavummiut for the title at the Miss Canada Globe competition in Toronto in August.
Kootoo is not just a pretty face. In 2013, she graduated from the computer systems technician program at Nunavut Arctic College.
"Yes, I am in IT," she said. "(Women) aren't limited to office jobs or receptionist. I want to bring a broader vision to young people to show them there are a lot of things we can do.
"They recruit women from different regions across Canada, and the people they choose officially become the representative of that region."
So far, five women from Nunavut are expected to compete in Toronto this summer, pageant executive director Mias Pilar said.
Three women will compete for the Miss Nunavut title, and two for the Miss Teen Nunavut title. They will then go on to compete for the national titles.
"I think it's fantastic," said Qaunirq-Chapman, who works in communications for Qikiqtani Inuit Association. A frequent model for magazines and clothing retailers, she is now getting into acting and filmmaking.
"I think it's amazing that someone's finally taken the initiative to join a pageant and represent Nunavut. There are so many things you can do with this. It's not just a title you hold. Be a leader, be an example, inspire other people."
Kootoo will work to promote awareness of mental illness at the pageant. Her younger sister Miranda, 16, plans to compete at the event for the Miss Teen Canada Globe title.
The two need to raise $3,000 each to cover pageant fees, plus get sponsorship for flights, gowns, jewelry and cosmetics.
"The week before nationals is the regional assessment," Pilar said, adding prospective contestants have applied and been interviewed before acceptance. "From there, we will determine what (regional) title they will get."
In light of the investment required, Internet research into Miss Canada Globe reveals warnings against the pageant, Pilar, and the arrangements made for participants for the 2011 pageant.
"If you still choose to be involved, then you deserve what you get," a woman named Christi wrote on a voy.com forum at the time. "There is plenty of information out there about how much of a financial rip off it is, how it doesn't even come close to being a real pageant, or upholding the standards of even a mediocre pageant."
Another anonymous poster and former contestant issued a similar warning.
"Anyone thinking of doing this, don't!," wrote another. "I had to pay $400 for a hotel room on top of the $3,000 and probably just made it obvious on who I am! I also got there and had to pay for a photo shoot of $70."
Pilar disputed the anonymous comment, saying the entry fee includes the hotel and meals, as well as sightseeing tours the pageant organizes. Miss Universe Canada, she said, charges $5,000.
And despite the criticisms, the passage of time shines a brighter picture. A Better Business Bureau search shows no complaints against Miss Canada Globe Productions in the last three years. And the current website shows professional contestant photographs that suggest the pageant has worked to improve its image.
The winner can go on to bigger things. Miss Canada Globe 2013 Jacqueline Wojciechowski was the first Canadian named Miss Globe, although that competition is not on the Global Beauties list of Grand Slam pageants, which includes Miss Universe, Miss World and four others.
Qaunirq-Chapman encourages the Kootoos to ignore detractors, and hopes others will support them.
"All pageants have fees," she said. "Every person that runs for a pageant has to fundraise and find sponsors and find an airline to sponsor them to send them south. You have to take every opportunity that comes your way. I'm going to support her and help her every step of the way to make sure this happens for her. It's nice to see motivated young people."
Amoudla Kootoo will not be dissuaded.
"It's an amazing opportunity to raise awareness," she said. "It's a little scary, but after speaking with Malaya, she opened up ideas to worry less about the money and more about my cause."
