By Mase Scarlet
On August 9th, 2025, Amber Heavy Runner from Siksika Nation will take the stage to compete at Ms. Canadian Pinup Pageant in New Brunswick with her pinup stage name “Amber Grable” for a second time after landing in the top 5 last year in 2024.
Amber’s journey has been resilient to set a clear message for her kids, the youth, and the nation. She is a healthcare worker, a mother of four, and she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia—a chronic illness that causes ongoing pain—but she has since been able to manage it with her fitness and mental health journey.
She first saw a flyer for a World of Wheels pinup contest in 2022, and to her, it felt like a sign for her to pursue this route of creativity and to celebrate her weight loss and finally being able to manage her illness and to set an example for her kids.
“I’m trying to set an example for my kids to chase your dreams no matter what,” Amber said.
A pinup look for Amber can take half an hour if she’s in a rush, but for a contest, a look will take two to three hours—she has done a pinup look inspired after her favourite vintage cartoon character Betty Boop and a look that incorporated MMIW on her dress, and she will continue to use her platform to raise awareness to MMIW.
For her pinup looks, Amber gets inspiration from vintage styles and her late grandmother’s clothes that she inherited.
“I just love vintage style from seeing old pictures of my grandma,” Amber said.
Amber will have at her side to support—her family, her nation, and the pinup community, which she explained is a welcoming community of people.
“Other girls will come up to me and compliment me and it just makes me feel good. The pinup community and everyone involved is so welcoming, and it just felt like I belonged somewhere,” Amber said.
Recently she scored a major milestone, landing her very first cover page feature in Canada’s only pinup magazine, True North Pin Up Magazine.
“I want our youth to know that their culture is powerful, their stories are valid, and their presence belongs everywhere — even in places that were never built for us. You can be strong, soft, Indigenous, and unstoppable. Don’t wait for the world to make space — take up space with pride,” Amber shared with us.
For media inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, contact:
📧 amberrae1990@hotmail.com
📱 Instagram: @pinupambergrable
After she wins Ms. Canadian Pinup, her next ambition will be the international pinup competition held in Vegas: “Queen of the Car Show.”
We wish you luck, Amber, from everyone at Siksika Media and Communications!
