Three Indigenous drag artists in Calgary—Argintina Hailey, Dogii Chow, and Winah Dinah—are broadening what representation looks like on stage, each bringing a distinct performance style that defies a single mold. Their artistry, rooted in their Indigeneity and two-spirit identities, is reshaping Calgary's drag scene and challenging audiences to see Indigenous performers as diverse and multifaceted.
Individuality on Stage
Every drag performer steps on stage with a character. Some lean into glamour and femininity, others channel fringe subcultures and absurdity, while some blur gender lines between drag queen and drag king. It's this individuality that has captivated Chris Hewitt, owner of Dickens, a local venue that hosts drag shows, concerts, and slam poetry. For nearly two decades, Hewitt has nurtured this talent, creating a space for voices that might otherwise go unheard.
“We want to make sure that we are able to give a space, a voice to the people that don’t have the opportunity to get on the massive stages, (because) they have just as much to say,” Hewitt said. “In fact, they often have more things to say, to be honest.”
Dickens: A Hub for Calgary's Drag Scene
Hewitt has lost track of how long Dickens has hosted drag shows, but the venue has become synonymous with Calgary's 2SLGBTQIA+ culture. If a drag queen performs in Calgary, they've likely graced the Dickens stage. Argintina Hailey dazzled during Calgary Pride's 2022 Indigiqueer and Two-Spirit showcase. Winah Dinah won Dickens' weekly drag competition, They Got Talent, last summer. Dogii Chow co-hosts They Got Talent, using their experiences to shape the next generation of Calgary's drag artists.
These queens' distinct performance styles and drag personas make them seem from different planets, but they are tied together by the Calgary stages they perform on and their Indigeneity. Their artistry looks nothing alike, yet together they are expanding what audiences see when they picture an Indigenous drag performer.
Argintina Hailey: A Pioneer's Path
Long before performers like Winah Dinah and Dogii Chow began carving out their own space, Argintina Hailey was doing the same, but without a community to guide her. She had to create the path, one performance at a time. Her first time performing is still ingrained in her memory: a Dolly Parton number, a CD player, and a camouflage dress paired with an off-the-rack tube top and hiking boots. Then disaster struck.
“I remember my CD skipped and I got embarrassed, I was running off the stage,” Hailey said, chuckling. “I never came back.”
At least that's what she thought. Twenty-six years later, Hailey is one of the most recognizable Indigenous drag performers in Alberta. The self-described “two-spirit monarch of the Canadian Rockies” has collected pageantry titles, served as Empress of Calgary, created a Pride celebration in her hometown community, and was named a 2023 CBC Indigenous Changemaker for her two-spirit advocacy.
Expanding Representation
Because drag isn't about fitting a formula, it's about creating one's own. These three artists—each with unique styles—are proving that Indigenous drag is not monolithic. Their presence on Calgary stages is broadening representation and inspiring a new generation of performers to embrace their identities without compromise.
