Blue Bird Flour Bag Art

Blue Bird Flour, from the Cortez Mill in Cortez, CO, is a staple for Natives of the Southwest, particularly the Diné and Hopi. However, its notoriety and usage has spread across reservations throughout the country. Although Cortez Mill makes four different types of flour, Blue Bird Flour is the best selling, and can be bought in different weights, in a wide range of places like Rez gas stations to super sites like Amazon. It is said to be the ingredient that makes the difference between an average piece of fry bread and a great piece of fry bread.

This flour is not only popular for its taste, but because it comes in a reusable cotton bag with a beautiful screenprinted blue bird. It is used as fabric for fashion and art for almost a century. This week, we’re sharing several of our favorite artists and works made from and inspired by Blue Bird Flour Bags and sites where you can purchase some these pieces. They’re all as sizzling as a piece of fresh fry bread made from Blue Bird Flour!

10 lb. Blue Bird Flour Bags (full of flour!)

Sally Black (Diné), Blue Bird Flour Basket | FB: @sally.black.77985

Chizhii Rez Girl Creations, Amber Scott, (Diné), Reversible Bluebird/Masani Scarf Bucket-Hat
IG: @chizhiirez_girl_creations | website: chizhiirezgirlcreations.com

Chizhii Rez Girl Creations, Amber Scott, (Diné), Blue Bird Flour Mini Backpack
IG: @chizhiirez_girl_creations | website: chizhiirezgirlcreations.com

Olathe (Diné and Shawnee), Tsídii ayáásh dootł’izh / Bluebird Flo(wer)
IG: @olathesart | Website: etsy.com/shop/olathesart

Melanie Yazzie (Diné), Flour sack quilt with screenprinted imagery | IG: @artistmelanieyazzie

Denise Lajimodiere (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), “Her” Blue Bird Flour Sack Mask | FB: @birchbarkbiting

Emma Robbins (Diné), Quillz (NON-POINTY) | IG: @emmarobbinz | website: emmarobbins.com

Emma Robbins (Diné), Blue Bird Breast Implants | IG: @emmarobbinz | website: emmarobbins.com

Wanda Wanika (Diné), Tsídii Dootł’izhí Mug

Leeah N. Long-Edwards (Diné), daughter’s and niece’s Halloween costumes: Blue Bird & Navajo Fry Bread W/ Their Pet “Mutton”

Zachariah George (Diné), also known as Mr. Navajo, and his Blue Bird Flour Bag pants, designed and constructed by his grandmother Sadie George

ALSO Make sure to check out They Call Me Mr. Navajo, an amazing short documentary by Saila Huusko and Jasper Rischen by clicking here, which features Zachariah (and his amazing pants!). [Still from the film shown here.]