Robin Rice
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Languages: English
Occupation:
Robin Rice, proudly known by her spirit name Waabishkizi Miigwan Kwe, is a self-employed entrepreneur and a dedicated advocate for the Miss Universe Canada Delegate program. A member of the Wasauksing First Nations and a long-time resident of Toronto, Robin embodies resilience as a survivor of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) crisis. She is committed to amplifying her gifts for the betterment of Canada.
A devoted mother to an adult daughter, Robin co-founded Tradishalicous Foods and Drink, a catering business that creatively melds Indigenous and Caribbean cuisines, honoring their rich ancestral roots, including Jamaican Maroon and Arawak heritage.
As a celebrated jingle dress dancer, Robin participates in numerous events, rallies, and pow wows across Toronto, using her art to foster cultural awareness and unity. She is also a keynote speaker, poet, and storyteller who shares her journey of transformation from being a toxic woman to a source of empowerment, discussing crucial topics such as mental health, Indigenous knowledge, justice systems, family, and love, inspiring the next generation.
With a background as a student at the University of Toronto, specializing in Indigenous studies with a minor in women’s and gender studies, Robin’s academic pursuits enrich her community work. She took a break in December 2024 for family healing, self-healing, and mental health wellness, understanding the importance of balance and care in her life.
In her vital community role, Robin addresses pressing issues like mental health, violence prevention, and the importance of healing circles. As a strong advocate for MMIWG awareness, she shines a spotlight on the challenges faced by Indigenous women and girls, ensuring their stories are heard and valued. Additionally, her work as a muralist with Street Art Toronto brings Indigenous culture and storytelling to public spaces, celebrating her heritage and fostering community connection.”
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What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
Walking, sitting with nature day or night on water or land, writing poetry, jingle dress dancing, cooking and being with my teenage daughter and our dog!
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Trauma informed, death dula (lots of community informed training) Jingle dress and fancy shawl dancing, indigenous wisdom from our elders.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
- Track and Field
- Swimming
- Softball
- Basketball
- Gymnastics
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My daughter, she changed my whole life around as a young teen mom, she taught me what it was like to have a mother daughter relationship. She is my biggest inspiration on why my life did a 360 in a positive way walking the good life.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
Being the greatest version of who I used to be. I never thought my voice and my role and responsibilities would bring me to the place and the women I am today.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
I am a huge Hip hop fan and have been to many concerts. I ended up getting beaded earrings made for me for a wutang concert. I ended up going to a Redman and Method Man show and threw one of my earrings on stage. Afterwards I met my fav hip hop artist method man. I dreamt about this happening before it happen then I kept seeing and meeting Method Man and finally Redman. All from me randomly throwing my beaded earring on stage.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I would love to finish off my last two years of my studies at University of Toronto, I took a break as I’ve been at UofT since 2018. I left October 2024 and plan to go back to finish. I am working on my family business Tradishalicous and want my own business helping community and continuing to share my voice through education, advocacy and leadership as was as building a great team. A write a bit in another question regarding what do you hope to be doing in ten years. I have been working hard with networking, buisness strategy, leadership, dedication and motivation to get to my goals. I am in the works of finishing off my poetry book, I am in the works of writing my first novel series of my life.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
To host my own show!
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised in Toronto! I was involved in the child welfare system from birth. It is what we call the millennial scoop just like residential schools and day schools. My childhood was going in and out of the justice system, Aboriginal legal helped me through my teenage years. I was in and out of foster care and group homes from age 11-15. I was raised by the streets all the hoods(marginal places) in Toronto. Trigger Warner but I was abused physically, sexually, emotionally and mentally. Lots have taken place I am lucky to be alive and doing the work I do now, it’s an honour to have this voice, a family and supports all over. I have so much to say about this topic I am in the works of writing my series of books about my life eventually turn it into a film and I am almost done editing my poetry book about mental health, MMIWG and empowerment!
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Newspaper girl. First job High Park and bloor area where I grew up. I had a huge metal rusty cart going up and down stairs of buildings. Hahaha it didn’t last long.
List any volunteering you have done.
Food Banks, Community work, community activism, Land and water protecting, women and youth crises calls and responses, jingle dress dancing (a dance of healing), youth support worker, healing circles and more.
What is your most unusual talent?
I can opera sing and I do it to hip hop or reggae songs. Teehee 🤭
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
Hmmmm this is definitely a hard question for me as there are too many to list and I can’t just choose one. The one that is on the top of my head is a Shake Tent ceremony when I was sent to Fort Frances at the age of 15. It’s Anishinaabe ceremony for a First Nations folks and the story is to be told in person rather then written just to keep our old traditions alive.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
I wish to own my own Restuarant/community hub. My daughter and I have a side business incorporating First Nations and Carribean fusions as my daughter is both mixes, she is my inspiration. I plan to have one here in Toronto, back in my homelands Wasauksing First Nations and In Jamaica. We already do so much community work and are involved in our own grassroots collectives. When I get my own spot we can grow our own medicines, have events, create community inclusion spaces, promote food revitalization and more. We have big dreams. On top of that I plan to have my film out and should be on my third book series of my life, it’s in four part series.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I am honoured to be apart of this amazing journey! It’s been a dream of mine since childhood but wasn’t able to do so as my life took a different path. I never thought I’d be able to do anything like this let alone be here at my age now. Blessed and honoured.