Among the young women vying for that crown will be Yellowknife's Karen McCaul.

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," said McCaul of the Aug. 7 to 12 pageant in Toronto.

"I've done some public relations and some public speaking, so it won't be completely new. I'm looking at it as a way of improving my skills."

McCaul has called Yellowknife home for the last four years. She is currently working on a degree in political science and speech communication at the University of Waterloo.

Though individual awards will be given out for more conventional portions of the pageant, such as the swimsuit competition, Miss Photogenic and Miss Fitness, contestants will be judged more on who they are than what they look like.

Qualities such as intellect, poise, personality, public speaking ability and community involvement form the contest's main criteria.

"The judges will be looking for a positive role model for Canada's young women," explained McCaul.

Cheryl McBride, organizer of the Miss NWT contest, added that "they are looking for a good ambassador, a good representative for Canada. The idea that all that matters is being five foot six and looking like a model is something they're trying to get away from."

One of McCaul's rivals in Toronto will be Miss Inuvialuit, Inuvik's Andrea Hansen, who is sponsored by the Inuvaluit Regional Corporation.

During the week of the pageant, contestants will be involved in publicity tours and be interviewed by judges.

Each also has to write and deliver a speech about something important to them.

Toward the end of the week, the competition moves to pageantry, with walks down the runway in evening gowns and casual and active wear.