Reah Henry crowned Miss Region 1 Amerindian Heritage 2026

…champions indigenous youth in environmental protection

Reah Henry of Parakese, Santa Rosa, Moruca, was crowned Miss Region One Amerindian Heritage 2026 following a six-delegate competition that celebrated Indigenous culture, traditional knowledge and youth advocacy.

The pageant was held on Saturday evening at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground, Region One (Barima-Waini) where Henry emerged ahead of Rafeza Mohamed of Barimanabo, who was adjudged First Runner-Up. Rose Conyers of White Water placed Second Runner-Up, while Shania Dan of Santa Jose, Santa Rosa, Moruca, secured the Third Runner-Up position. Henry entered the competition with a platform centred on “Promoting environmental stewardship among Indigenous youth,” advocating greater involvement by young Indigenous people in protecting their environment and the natural resources upon which their communities depend. Her advocacy also highlighted the importance of Indigenous knowledge in environmental protection and the role young people can play in ensuring that traditional approaches to caring for the environment are carried forward. The competition featured six segments, testing the delegates in areas including cultural knowledge, confidence, stage presentation, talent and intelligence. Contestants had also participated in Indigenous challenges ahead of the coronation night, placing traditional skills alongside their performances on stage. Mohamed, in addition to finishing first runner-up, captured the Best Introduction and Best Traditional Wear awards. Conyers added the Best Talent prize to her Second Runner-Up finish after delivering a dramatic presentation titled “Bring Back We Culture”, which focused on the erosion of traditional practices and challenged Indigenous youths to preserve their languages, foods, craft and other aspects of their heritage. “Young youths, practise Indigenous culture, practise Indigenous languages, craft, arts, so that we can keep them for future generation to come,” Conyers urged during her presentation. Dan, meanwhile, added the People’s Choice Award to her Third Runner-Up finish. Alana Edwards of Baramita also distinguished herself during the competition, winning the Indigenous Challenge for Cassava Processing and being named Miss Congeniality. Celena Callisto of Mabaruma Settlement completed the six-member field. Cultural preservation was a recurring theme throughout the competition. Mohamed used her spoken-word talent presentation to address leadership, the role of young people and the importance of maintaining Indigenous traditions, while Dan presented a dramatic poem celebrating Amerindian heritage and the responsibility of passing it to future generations. The pageant was interspersed with performances by Indigenous cultural groups, including the Whitewater Cultural Group, while Indigenous foods and other cultural elements added to the Heritage Month atmosphere at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground.