Earlier this year, Alanna Bluebird, a multidisciplinary Blackfoot/Dene artist, performed in Ghost River Theatre’s Echoes of the Land at the 2025 High Performance Rodeo. She did the mesmerizing thing she does with words and poetry, transporting audiences into a reflection of the universe and their connections within it.
Bluebird’s own relationship to Treaty 7 land is deep and rich. After leaving Calgary for a few years and enduring some tough times, she made her way back here, and has been on her healing journey ever since. Her grandfather, Bruce Starlight, is one of only a few fluent Tsuut’ina speakers left on Earth. Learning and using the Tsuut’ina language is of great importance to her and the Tsuut’ina people. So Bluebird spent time helping to revitalize it by developing literacy books for future learners.
Her art also keeps her steady and strong. “I channel my hurt and express myself through photography and poetry, and I use art to help others, too,” she says. Bluebird continues to learn more about herself to refine her superpowers of “talk[ing] too much, too fast, and to really focus when I need to.”
Moving proof of Bluebird’s devotion to language and art is the short film Cut Knife Creek, which she co-directed, produced and animated in collaboration with Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society, Tsúut’ínà Gunáhà Násʔághà and Quickdraw Animation Society. Eight minutes long, the film screened at the Smithsonian Institution’s Mother Tongue Film Festival this past February, plus a few other international screenings.
Right now, Bluebird is working on the biggest project of her career, but she can’t talk about it … yet. She’s hopeful it’ll run on a major streaming service, so stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Bluebird keeps practising Tsuut’ina and, she hopes, inspiring others to express themselves through words, pictures and performance. “When pain is transmitted through art it becomes beautiful,” she says.
Alanna Bluebird’s High Five
Drawing from her Indigenous heritage and artistry, she shares five things that she loves.
Stephanie Eagletail
“One of my favourite Indigenous artists is the Dene/Cree fashion designer Stephanie Eagletail. She sews Pendleton coats. I love her style and she’s an inspiring symbol of resilience.”
Quillwork
“Quillwork is one of the oldest art forms in North America. My cousin taught me how to do it, and doing it keeps me calm.”
Tall Hat
“This ‘tall hat’ makes me feel powerful. My ancestors would wear them. When I wear it, I feel I’m representing them during my shows and appearances.”
The Four Agreements
“Reading The Four Agreements really changed my perspective on dealing with cyberbullying and lateral violence in my community. It helped me navigate those experiences and reminds me not to take things personally, especially online. There will always be negativity, but it’s given me the tools to handle it better.”
Native Tongues
“I love Native Tongues Taqueria. I lived in New Mexico for a while, and Native Tongues is as close to that food as it can be in Calgary; they have the most authentic tacos.”