Birdie Real Bird is a Crow beadworker widely recognized throughout Montana for her intricate beadwork, traditional regalia, moccasins, and handcrafted dolls. She has also served as the lead Crow language writer and cultural consultant for the 1923 series produced by Paramount+. After years of creating original beadwork alongside her grandmother, Birdie developed a lifelong commitment to preserving and recreating historical Apsáalooke designs. She began visiting museums to study Crow artifacts firsthand, carefully incorporating traditional techniques and historical detail into her work. Today, her beadwork is featured in private collections and museum exhibitions around the world, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. In recognition of her contributions to the traditional arts, Birdie’s many accolades include the Montana Circle of American Masters honor through the Montana Arts Council, the state’s official arts agency.
Tanya Plainfeather Gardner is a dedicated researcher, public servant, and artisan deeply rooted in the Crow (Apsáalooke) Tribe. As an enrolled member based in Crow Agency, Tanya has spent her career fostering the preservation of Apsáalooke culture through hands-on artistry and public service. Her diverse professional background includes significant roles within the Crow Tribe, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where she has contributed to projects of profound cultural significance. Tanya approaches community development with a multifaceted perspective, focusing on the intersection of public policy, preservation, and tribal sovereignty. In 2023, Tanya expanded her commitment to cultural expression by founding TPlainfeathers LLC. Based in Crow Agency, her small business specializes in handcrafted porcelain elk teeth and fine ceramics, blending traditional Indigenous aesthetics with modern artistry.
