Eight passionate Indigenous women have been named as Perth's 2025 Miss NAIDOC finalists. Although their journeys may be diverse, they all share the same story of overcoming hardship, honouring culture and building brighter futures for the next generation.

Twenty-one-year-old Muntjiltjarra, Badimia and Wajarri woman Bee Ashwin proves that it's never too late to turn your life around. With no role models around her growing up, Ms Ashwin often skipped class, hung out with the wrong crowd and had a few suspensions to her name. However, she overcame her early challenges when she moved to Perth for boarding school. It was there she found inspiration from her big sister to graduate as Head Girl — a huge achievement for her at the time. After school, she spent a year working at Bennett Law Firm, which motivated her to pursue a university preparation course aiming for a law degree. Now, Ms Ashwin works as a Material Transfer Officer at Central Desert Native Title Services, is dedicated to highlighting Indigenous mental health and intergenerational trauma, and regularly returns to country to deliver cultural awareness training.

At just twenty years old, Noongar woman Aleshea Stack is building a stronger connection to her culture and is committed to breaking cycles. She dedicates her time to learning her language and heritage through family and Elders, while also delivering cultural education sessions for young people in schools and the community. Ms Stack is on track to becoming a mentor and a positive role model for the next generation. Growing up disconnected from family has given her a deep drive to support other young people in similar situations. She gains her strength through culture and participating in traditional dancing and ceremony, and hopes to help others connect with family and develop a strong sense of identity.

Ballardong and Goreng woman Cheroke Ugle has pushed through hardship and come out resilient. After facing racism, bullying, mental health struggles and growing up in out-of-home care with her younger brothers, she became the first in her family to graduate Year 12, a milestone she credits to the support of the Follow the Dream programme. She later completed a bridging course at UWA. The twenty-one-year-old now works at Worley, where she not only manages office administration but also helps drive the company's Reconciliation Action Plan. Fuelled by her experiences, Ms Ugle is stepping into the Miss NAIDOC spotlight to advocate for children in care, champion mental health and inspire others to transform adversity into strength.

Young mother and proud Noongar and Pakistani woman Karisma Baluch has always been surrounded by strong women, shaping her into the person she is today. Becoming a young mum, Ms Baluch left school early to raise her son. She acknowledges it was a tough journey, but with the support of women like Buffie Corunna, Jacinta Anderson, Jennet Hansen, Lucinda Van Wyk and Claudia Collard, she secured a traineeship at ANZ, giving her a sense of pride. The twenty-one-year-old now works as a Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator at Kuuwa Rentals, passionate about supporting Indigenous business and community connection. Ms Baluch finds joy in attending community events and volunteering. One of her proudest moments was winning a grand final with Gosnells Football Club, a reminder of sisterhood, resilience and self-belief.

Bibbulman, Yued and Goreng Nyoongar woman Bek Morrison was often the only Aboriginal student across seven different schools, which she found challenging. The twenty-two year old experienced racism from both students and teachers but came to realise that their behaviour stemmed from ignorance, not anything she did wrong. These experiences taught her to stand up for herself and be proud of who she is. In July, Ms Morrison will graduate from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Anthropology, Sociology and Indigenous Knowledge. Through her studies, she learned more about her grandmother, Margaret Morrison, who grew up at New Norcia Mission. Ms Morrison currently works as an Aboriginal Project Officer at The Kids Research Institute Australia, focusing on parenting and cultural safety in mental health. An artist in her spare time, she has completed several commission pieces and plans to start an Honours degree next year.

Growing up, Noongar Ballardong woman Denniell Ugle always cherished the values of family and community, which continue to guide her journey. Currently pursuing a Certificate III in Corrections, she is dedicated to supporting individuals in custody, particularly those from her own community and culture who face significant challenges. The twenty-one-year-old's ambition is driven by her commitment to care and understanding, and her desire to create a positive impact in the lives of those in custody. On top of this, Ms Ugle is an animator for the junior youth program, which aims to support spiritual development and empower young people to contribute positively to their communities. The program focuses on building virtues, developing purpose and encouraging service to others through study, reflection and action.

Noongar woman Keisha Reed's understanding of her culture came through educational pathways and school programs designed for Indigenous students, like the Aurora Foundation scholarship and Girls Academy. These programs gave the twenty-year-old opportunities to meet and build relationships with other young Indigenous women and also helped her develop confidence in being proud of her culture and sparked a desire to give back to the community. Ms Reed works at Midland Learning Academy as a student support officer and works closely with Aboriginal students, providing cultural support and advocacy. Outside of work, she has a passion for the arts, hair and beauty and hopes to own her own business in the future.

Leteisha Warner is deeply grounded in culture, community and resilience. A NgarIuma and Yamatji woman, she prides herself on her rich multicultural heritage. Working as a stakeholder engagement coordinator within the Geological Survey of Western Australia, the thirty-two-year-old is driven by a deep desire to serve her community, uncover her personal history and influence policies that reflect inclusivity and understanding. Ms Warner draws strength from her upbringing, which has instilled in her powerful values of empowerment, advocacy and the wisdom of walking in two worlds. She embraces every opportunity to grow both personally and professionally through continued education and active community involvement. Her heart beats for community, and she gives back through volunteering at diverse events, from street festivals and markets to pop culture conventions and LGBTI+ celebrations.

The Perth-based Miss NAIDOC program was founded in 2010 by Glenda Kickett and Shannon McGuire, it has been amplifying the voices of young Indigenous women for more than a decade through a six-week empowerment and leadership program. In 2022, the Mr NAIDOC program was introduced to offer the same opportunity for growth and experience to young Indigenous men.