Mrs. Universe won't back down on Harper criticism
Ashley Burnham is taking a lot of flak for speaking up against the Harper Government this week, but the newly-crowned Mrs. Universe says she won’t be quieting down any time soon.
Burnham is from the Enoch Cree Nation, west of Edmonton. She is the first Canadian and aboriginal woman to win the coveted title, and she didn’t miss a beat urging First Nations people to vote against Harper.
I urge all First Nations people in Canada to vote in this upcoming election. We are in desperate need of a new PM. Fight for your rights.
— Ashley (@AshCallingbull) August 31, 2015
That stance earned some backlash in social media.
@AshCallingbull Congrats on your title Ashley! I'm so sorry you've found it necessary to turn it into a political forum. Very disappointing.
— GK Schick (@hughjarse5) August 31, 2015
@AshCallingbull is it your role to say such thing? Let's people decide or be ready to run as candidate #NPD @ThomasMulcair #elxn42
— Luc CG #JeVote (@LucMatte9) August 31, 2015
But Burnham (who’s maiden name is Callingbull) doubled down, posting on Facebook that she wouldn’t be silenced and plans to use her new platform as a voice for the First Nations. The post has since gone viral on Tumblr.
Burnham told Yahoo Canada that her anti-Harper stance might get her in trouble, but someone needs to speak out to make sure the message gets across.
“A lot of First Nations people don’t like Stephen Harper at all. He doesn’t focus on First Nations issues. He puts it on the back burner all the time…It’s stuff the media isn’t sharing and I really think they should.”