Canada's Drag Race just got a little more inclusive!
Venus just made history, becoming the first indigenous queen to take home the coveted crown, after beating out fierce competitors Aurora, Denim, and Nearah on season 4 of the hit show.
After weeks of serving nothing but charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent, Venus joined the ranks of past winners Priyanka, Icesis Couture, and Gisèle Lullaby.
As a Métis drag queen from rural Manitoba, while her win would have always been impressive, being the first indigenous queen to win made it extra special. After being crowned, she explained that "to win on Indigenous land is such a monumental moment."
In an interview with Pride prior to her win, Venus explained why indigenous representation is so important.
"There are just not enough stories of Indigenous people thriving and there are still countless communities in Canada that are Indigenous communities that aren't getting the treatment and the respect from anybody that they deserve," she said. "Getting to share [my story], I'm just a small bit of that, but knowing that it is going to touch a little Indigenous child out there that is watching this for the first time. I can't even explain the immense pride and joy that I feel when I think about those things."
Canada's Drag Race may be a spin-off of the wildly popular RuPaul's Drag Race, but it's made a name for itself by switching up the format. The Great White North's version of the competition allows drag queens to save each other from elimination and brings back fan-favorite queens as guest judges. Fingers crossed, we'll see Venus again soon, this time behind the judge's table!
Congratulations to Venus on becoming the first indigenous winner of Canada's Drag Race!