'Miss Indian, what?'

Métis people aren't recognized in the United States like they are in Canada. With that in mind, Baillie Redfern decided she wanted to compete at the Miss Indian World Pageant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It happens every year at the biggest Pow-wow in North America, Gathering of Nations.

Redfern went on to become the first Métis person to ever compete in the cultural pageant.

Blonde and light-skinned, she's not the picture many people have in mind when they think of what an indigenous person looks like. She knew there would be questions, and they started right away. As she tried to make her way into the United States, she was pulled aside by airport security and asked to explain why she was going to Albuquerque.

"Miss Indian what?" they asked her.

Click the 'listen' button above to hear her story!