ABOUT ʔixc̓əmatusəlagalis: Kirsten, also known as ʔixc̓əmatusəlagalis, hails from the Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ, a southern group of the Kʷakʷakəw̓akʷ. She's deeply engaged in Indigenous language revitalization, particularly in developing Kʷak̓ʷala Lik̓ʷala programs. With a Master's in Indigenous Language Revitalization and an undergraduate degree in elementary education, Kirsten has taught in various settings, from public schools in Quebec to the Gitxaaɫa Nation. Now, she's committed to fostering safe and holistic learning environments in Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷ territory, advocating for decolonial education. Find ʔixc̓əmatusəlagalis in BIPAN's reoccurring column Indigenous Teaching Offerings.

ABOUT TYLER: Tyler Nykilchyk is a queer, neurodivergent, interdisciplinary artist, working with photographic processes, filmmaking, drawing, textiles, and sculpture. He’s a graduate of the diploma program at SPAO (School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa) and is currently studying Interactive Multimedia and Design at Carleton University. He has exhibited at the Ottawa Art Gallery, CONTACT Photography Festival, and Roseberry Road studios (Bath, UK). He has screened his short films in festivals in the UK, Egypt, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Gatineau, and Ottawa. Nykilchyk’s work invites the viewer to intimately observe struggle, combining craft practices with alternative processes, creating a vulnerable experience encouraging self reflection.

ABOUT GREGORY: Gregory is a Queer person residing on Treaty 6 Territory in so-called Alberta. Assisting with copy and editing at Bipan Mag allows him the opportunity to engage with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; an integral part of his personal, professional, and academic life. When he doesn't have his nose buried in a novel or his eyes glued to the silver screen, you can find Gregory making delicious coffees at his day job as a barista. With a passion for film and media, Gregory writes reviews in their spare time.

ABOUT DANIELA: Daniela Guerrero-Rodriguez is an aunty, artist, facilitator, coach and Liberatory Futurist. They are a queer brown Latinx immigrant of African, Central American Indigenous, Sepharidi, and European descent living as a settler on the stolen lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations in so-called Vancouver. In their work they seek to support community members and leaders take an intersectional and trauma informed approach to deepening their relationships with themselves, others, and the planet through creative and land based practices.

ABOUT GIVI: Cat dad, swole husband, Internationalist, & ongoing student of dialectical and historical materialism. Givi’s passion for sharing their research is driven by our impending need for collective liberation. Always aiming to provide clarity within the blaring, daily noise of living under globalised Capitalism. Givi has a history with Senior Care and Community work for providing essentials for the house less. “It is imperative for us to fight and not be caught passive, trampled under history, but rather be agents of our own history. It is our duty for those of us within the imperial core to rise up from within the belly of the beast.”

ABOUT AMANDA: Amanda is a non-binary queer Venezuelan writer and organizer living in Mohkinstsis. They are community focused and co-founded The Hatch (@thehatchyyc), a community collaboration group, and Lavender Club (@lavenderclubyyc), a Sapphic events organizing group. Joining Bipan in 2021, they are currently the lead copywriter for the magazine. She is passionate about lifelong learning and encouraging others to stay curious and creative; he likes to pass time by being immersed in a book, or listening to podcasts.

ABOUT BEE: Bee is a neurodivergent queer woman of mixed heritage—French Settler, Métis, and Scottish—currently calling Lekwungen Territory / so called Victoria, home. She has a background in photojournalism and currently works as Communications manager with the MMIWG2S+ Urban Indigenous Action Group. Bee joined BIPAN in 2023, where she started off supporting social media design and is now the lead designer for the 2024 edition of the magazine. Bee is passionate about collective liberation, joy, and the idea that rest is resistance—an ethos inspired by Tricia Hersey’s work. She believes that empowerment and community can heal in profound ways. When she’s not designing, you can find her soaking up the local art scene or diving into a good book.

ABOUT TALIA: Talia is a transfemme writer and cat mama currently residing in Tkaronto. They use poetry as a medium to explore their lived experience as a femme-presenting highly sensitive person with sensory processing issues. Being part of the Bipan team since 2021, they enjoy having conversations with the Bipan artists and community members through cover artist interviews which gives her the chance to dive deep into people's personal and collective queer experiences.

ABOUT NATAL: Natal Rivas Bolaños, also known as Sol Natal or Natal Rox, is a descendant of the Nahuas Cuscatlán, colonially known as Central America, but born and raised within Treaty 8 Territory in so-called Alberta, Canada. Natal is a first-generation settler, Teaching Artist, and Wellness Counsellor. As a late-diagnosed AuDHD person and reconnecting Native, they live as a curious being, always ready to teach, collaborate, and create art. They are often seen backstage on film sets and at various productions, from fashion shows to youth conferences. Natal enjoys creating curricula and workshops and believes in accessible education. In June 2020, Natal created BIPAN to share resources for collective healing and community care across Turtle Island.