About the Mural Subjects

Alanna Bluebird

A multidisciplinary artist of Tsuut’ina (Dene) and Siksika (Blackfoot) heritage, Alanna works in quilling, spoken word, and film. Founder of HEAL (Helping Every Artist Live), Alanna uses creative expression to support Indigenous youth, inspire community healing, and preserve culture.

Her connection to the Bow River is both ancestral and spiritual—she describes it as a source of nourishment, healing, and creative energy.

During their first meetings, Alanna encouraged Alex to make an offering to the river. Soon after, an image emerged for her portrait: Alanna quilling by the water. When Alex shared this vision, she responded, “I do this all the time.” Her portrait reflects this powerful act of presence and creation.

Elder Rod Scout

A respected Elder from the Siksika Nation, Rod is a ceremonialist, educator, veteran, and fluent speaker of the Blackfoot language. With decades of service in law enforcement and cultural leadership, Rod brings a profound perspective on interdependence, home, and the sustaining power of the land and the river. A relation of Alanna’s and a father figure in her life, he was introduced to Alex through her.

Their first conversation—a six-hour long meeting—was foundational to the project. It was Rod who shared the Blackfoot concept of kitao’wahsinnooni, meaning “what sustains us,” which would become the title and guiding theme of the installation.

Rod’s portrait captures his strength and stature as an Elder and knowledge keeper. Alex chose to depict him in a powerful, grounded pose—overlooking the land with presence and clarity, a visual metaphor for his role as a guide, protector, and carrier of cultural knowledge. The artwork transitions from night to day across the abutment, symbolizing the importance of balance in Blackfoot teachings. The inclusion of stars in the nighttime portion reflects the significance of wayfinding. His mural honours these teachings and his enduring role in sharing them.

Jay Jones

Known as The Humble Fisherman, Jay is a lifelong fly fisher, and a filmmaker and river advocate. His deep knowledge of the Bow River ecosystem is paired with a strong reverence for its spiritual and emotional significance.

For Jay, fishing was a gateway into broader reflections on nature, healing, and life. As part of their engagement, Alex spent a full day on the river with Jay, learning not only about fish and water, but also about Maple—Jay’s beloved dog and companion—who appears in his mural as a quiet symbol of love and healing.

Parisa (Paris) Radmanesh

An arts educator and literacy advocate, Parisa sees the river as a place for celebration, healing, and ritual. Through creative practices and quiet reflection, she honours the river as a space for release and renewal. Her portrait reflects this quiet, enduring relationship with nature.

Residents of the Calgary Drop-In Centre

This mural represents the many individuals who reside at the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI), located just steps from RiverWalk. Through conversations with DI staff—particularly Kevin Webb, Director of Emergency Shelter & Housing—Alex explored how the river offers a sense of peace, reflection, and renewal to those navigating vulnerable circumstances.

During one engagement, Kevin shared an image used within the DI community: a plant at various stages of growth, symbolizing that each person moves forward at their own pace. Around the same time, following a sweat ceremony, Alex came across a blooming prairie crocus—one of the first plants to appear each spring. It felt like a sign.

The resulting mural incorporates the flora at different stages of bloom, serving as a metaphor for resilience, transformation, and being exactly where you are. It’s a quiet, powerful tribute to the residents of the DI—and to the small moments of beauty and strength that emerge when you need them most.