Ashley Callingbull [windspeaker confidential]

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Ashley Callingbull: Trustworthy. If a friend is trustworthy, I can trust them with my feelings and secrets. Nothing is better than having someone to rely on who will always be true to you.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
A.C.: Stereotypes. They will never go away because the media is constantly pushing it in our faces. It is something I will have to live with being First Nations, but through all my success I am proving everyone wrong.

W: When are you at your happiest?
A.C.: When I am with my family. My family is the most supportive, loving and funniest people I’ve ever met. I am so thankful to have them in my life because they truly make me the happiest.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
A.C.: Irritable.

W: What one person do you most admire and why?
A.C.: My mother, Lisa Ground. She is the most loving, hard working and supportive person I’ve ever met. Throughout all the struggles we had to live through and hard times we had to face, she continued to stay strong and love me unconditionally. I have never met a person who can live through what she has been through and still smile and live for others. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thank you, Mom.

W: What is the most difficult thing you’ve ever had to do?
A.C.: Let go of someone who has passed. My grandmother and sister both passed on and for years I held on to the grief and made it my misery. One day I realized I had to let go of the pain so I can live and let them rest in peace.

W: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A.C.: I could say acting or being the first First Nations woman to become Miss Canada. But I would have to say working with youth internationally across the world. I had a very hard childhood living through abuse and poverty. I think it is important to give back to our future leaders, so I do so by doing motivational speeches, by speaking about my hard times, success and goals. It truly makes me happy to put a smile on a child’s face.

W: What one goal remains out of reach?
A.C.: There are three goals I wish to accomplish. To be acknowledged for my acting and be nominated at the Academy Awards, to be the first First Nations woman to win Miss Universe, and to make an organization for under-privileged youth.

W: If you couldn’t do what you’re doing today, what would you be doing?
A.C.: I know deep down in my heart I would still be working with youth and finding a way to give back as much as I can.

W: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Live everyday like it’s your last.”

W: Did you take it?
A.C.: Yes. I live everyday like it’s my last and push myself to my full potential and give constant love to my family.

W: How do you hope to be remembered?
A.C.: I hope to be remembered as a person who loved and inspired.

Ashley Callingbull is a 21-year-old university student currently enrolled at Concordia in Edmonton and is working towards her Bachelor of Arts in Drama. She was born and raised in Enoch and has lived there most of her life. Her dreams in life are to work with underprivileged children teaching and mentoring, using her talents of acting, dancing and singing.

She is very devoted to her culture and people, and takes pride in her Native Cree heritage, and has shown this through her work with community Elders and children. The loss of some very close family members has led Ashley to spend a lot of time helping out at hospitals and charities throughout Alberta, including the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Walk for the Cure, and Run for the Lung. The tough life situations she has come out of have taught her valuable lessons and, in her opinion, made her the woman she is today. She believes we are all incredibly lucky to be here and wants to make some kind of positive impact on the world.

Ashley has done a lot of voice over work in different languages, been in multiple TV series and has been involved in countless musicals. Ashley is currently filming Season 2 of the television series Blackstone.

One of her possible means of getting to do what she really wants is through acting and modeling, both life-long passions. She has trained in stage combat, musical theatre and other theatrical arts. Ashley is also a motivational speaker, traveling internationally to work with youth. Ashley was asked and very privileged to speak at Harvard University and for TED Talks.