Dreaming Big: Brianda Robillard Represents Black Lake on a National Stage 

November 5, 2026 in People
Explorer: Fall 2026

When Brianda Robillard first saw an ad for Miss Indigenous Canada 2026 on Facebook, she scrolled past it. But when the deadline was extended, something kept drawing her back. “Maybe this is my calling. Maybe I should apply,” she remembers thinking. With her 30th birthday approaching, Brianda decided she did not want to wonder what might have happened if she had tried. That decision led the Black Lake Denesųłiné First Nation member to the national stage, where she proudly represented her community and northern Saskatchewan. 

Preparing for the competition involved much more than stepping onto a stage. Brianda completed leadership training, wrote a personal essay, compiled a community scrapbook, completed interviews, and delivered a cultural presentation. She also had to become comfortable sharing her story. Along the way, she discovered greater confidence in herself and in the power of her voice. Brianda carried her community and family with her throughout the experience. She shared how being a descendant of the late Chief Louie Chicken, who served Black Lake for 24 years with purpose and compassion, has influenced her. Following in her great-great-grandfather’s footsteps, she wanted young people back home to see what is possible when adversity and life’s challenges don’t define you, no matter how horrendous they might have been. “I turned my pain into purpose. Healing is possible, growth is possible, and success is possible no matter where you come from,” says Brianda. 

Brianda’s journey is also connected to Athabasca Basin Development. As a former ABD Summer Student Accountant, Brianda developed skills in communication, professionalism, and relationship-building. She also discovered an interest in personal development after colleague Kristine McWilliam introduced her to Atomic Habits by James Clear. “While I learned accounting software, reporting, and plenty of scanning along the way,” Brianda jokes, “the biggest lessons went well beyond numbers.” She learned the value of maintaining relationships and of having people around you who encourage you, share knowledge, and genuinely want to see you succeed. 

Today, the friendly and energetic mom is exploring motivational speaking, trauma-informed support, and leadership development. As if that wasn’t enough, she is also starting her entrepreneurial journey as a freelance photographer and aspires to launch a business in her home community. Yet her modelling career is not over, as she is looking forward to modelling at New York Fashion Week in 2027. She hopes her journey inspires others, including her son, young people, and women, to believe in themselves and dream a little bigger. After all, Brianda still describes herself simply as “that little Rez girl from Black Lake Denesųłiné First Nation who dreamed big.” The difference, she says, is that she no longer lets fear dictate what is possible.