Miss Region One Indigenous Heritage pageant: Giving young women opportunities

The nine contestants after the sashing

Ten years after it was launched the Miss Region One Indigenous Heritage pageant is said to have helped to build the self-esteem of young women in the region and its organiser believes that it has even contributed to the reduction of teenage pregnancy in the various communities.

While many may thumb their noses at pageants, organiser of the October 1 pageant, Keisha Benedict boasted to The Scene—shortly after Miss Moruca, Rose Brescenio bested eight other contestants to cop the crown—that the event has made positive contributions to the region.

Even though the pageant never got started until around 9.30 pm the attendance was