You would think someone who is studying for a degree at Laurentian University and modelling in campaigns wouldn’t have much time for a pageant.
But Grace Webb, winner of Miss North Ontario Regional Scholarship Pageant, told Sudbury.com she was willing to find the time.
“I thought, ‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'll probably never get this opportunity again',” she said. “So I thought, ‘Hey, might as well try it out, expand my horizons a little bit for modelling and just see how it goes’.”
It went pretty well.
Webb not only won first place, but is the first member of Dokis First Nation to win the title. The pageant participants helped raise $10,000 for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer.
She is not only proud with what she can do with the title, but also, that she can share the pride she has for her culture. Though she grew up in Sudbury, her mother always reminded her to be proud of who she was and where she was from.
“Growing up, I was connected with my heritage, my mom wanted to make sure I knew who I was, that it's important to know where you come from,” said Webb.
She said her mother made sure she knew her history and her heritage. Webb said it is because of that teaching that she has pride. “I am a proud Indigenous woman, I can say it to everyone and anyone, and I hold it close to my heart,” she said.
It’s also something that is central to her modelling career, which has included working with Dr. Celeste Pedri-Spade, an Anishinaabekwe from Lac Des Milles Lacs First Nation. Pedri-Spade is a researcher and artist who designed the wearable art series, Material Kwe (Material Woman), that was featured during Indigenous Fashion week 2020, held in Toronto.
For the photography of these looks, Pedri-Spade looked to Webb as her model.
The art pieces are now housed at the American Museums & Gardens in Bath, United Kingdom.
Webb said she was honoured to wear the art pieces, which she said are a mix of fashion and social advocacy. She also used the work she did as a basis for a presentation that ended up winning her the prize for best public speaking at the pageant.
And while Webb doesn’t really see herself entering another pageant, it’s not because she didn’t love the experience, only that she’s a little too busy at the moment.
She is, after all, studying to be a lawyer.
Webb said she has always been drawn to the law, especially since her grandfather, retired OPP detachment commander, Kevin Webb, was such an influence. “He was a police officer for over 30 years, and just hearing all the stories and just seeing what he does, and hearing about it and how diverse the law is, it really fascinated me.” But what she wished she knew more about was the “finished result,” she said, which sent her to law rather than policing.
“I love starting something and then seeing the end result,” she said. “The law is a living thing, we call it the living tree, because it is always changing and expanding, like our society.”
She is a student of Laurentian’s Law and Justice program, studying to be a criminal defense lawyer, specifically for Indigenous clients.
“Indigenous peoples are overrepresented within the criminal justice system,” said Webb. She said whether it stemmed from the residential schools, or intergenerational trauma, or something else, she wants to help her people. “I definitely want to help more and see more changes and adaptations in the law to make sure there is justice,” said Webb.
She’ll also be serving her term as Miss North Ontario for the next year, continuing to model, and becoming what she hopes is a role model for Indigenous girls, especially those from Dokis First Nation. “It makes me feel good knowing that I'm able to show my true self in this title, to help indigenous girls strive to be the best and feel good about themselves,” said Webb. “Just to be there for them and make sure that they know they're not alone in everything. I wear my heritage on my sleeve, like my heart, and so should they.”