Paola Nunez and Miss Universe Canada

Miss Universe Canada organization: Both are sacred symbols to First Nations peoples, according to Huffington Post Canada. A photo posted by Miss Universe Canada on Dec 19, 2015 at 11:53pm PST However, the Miss Universe Canada organization dubs the controversy a "tremendous MISUNDERSTANDING," claiming the Nunez did not misrepresent Indigenous culture, but was "embracing her ethnic heritage of being a Dominican-born Canadian." "If the post was read correctly, then the reader would be able to decipher that the statement that was made, 'Miss Canada embracing her native culture', was that Paola Nunez was embracing her ethnic heritage of being a Dominican-born Canadian," reads the statement on Instagram. "Yes, there are many different totem poles, NOT just First Nations totem poles. The costume, which was created by Dominican designer, Keyther Estévez, came under fire for being "culturally insensitive," with its eagle headdress and rhinestone-embellished oversized totem pole loin cloth. Apologizes to anybody who may have been offended." A photo posted by Miss Universe Canada on Dec 20, 2015 at 11:44am PST But the organizations explanation clashes with the designer — as Native American Fashion blog, Beyond Buckskin notes, Keyther Estévez was trying to honour Canada Aboriginal population through the garment. Universe in 2015, also weighed in on the ordeal, commenting on Beyond Buckskin Facebook post. Estévez did not mention Dominican inspiration in the explanation he posted on Instagram, but rather included an extensive write-up on the significance of totem poles in Native American culture. "From reading the designer meaning behind the costume, it is clear that he genuinely tried to do research...and he found significance in the totem pole," writes Beyond Buckskin. "He writes, 'honouring these tribes which we pay tribute to the inidgenous peoples of these Nations." A photo posted by Keyther Estévez Studio on Nov 18, 2015 at 5:22pm PST Ashley Callingbull-Burnham, the Enoch Cree woman who was crowned Mrs. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.