ABOUT | Bipan Magazine

ALL ABOUT
BIPAN
ARTIST COLLECTIVE

Free. Independent. Volunteer -Run.

MEET THE CREW

CREW

The BIPAN Artist Collective is more than an art collective — we are a movement of storytellers, educators, and community builders working toward social change and decolonization across Turtle Island. We believe liberation is inseparable from Land Back: the return of land, language, and power to Indigenous peoples. Our work is rooted in community care, joy, and resistance, using art as a tool to bridge communities and spark transformation. We stand in solidarity with global struggles against colonialism, capitalism, and oppression, because our liberation is bound together.

EDUCATION TEAM LEAD

Kirsten Dobler

she/they

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.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Daniela Guerrero-Rodriguez

she/they

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.

SEXUAL HEALTH NAVIGATOR

Sarah Carrier

she/her

ABOUT SARAH: Sarah is BIPAN’s Sexual Health Navigator and the full-time coordinator with the Northern Indigenous Health Alliance at the GP Friendship Centre. A trained doula and Birth Educator, Sarah also facilitates Rainbow Resiliency and shares knowledge of local plant medicines. Grounded in an Indigenous lens, their work uplifts queer community and disability justice while centering care for both land and people. Outside of work, Sarah can often be found adventuring with their Border Collie Lab Poppy—most often exploring the Boreal Wetland Conservation Area.

LEAD DIGITAL DESIGNER

Bee Ste Marie Lacroix

she/her

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 as well as the current web developer. 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.

COPYWRITER & EDITOR

Amanda Gómez Sánchez

she/he/they

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.

FOUNDER & EDITOR IN CHIEF

Natal Rivas Bolaños

he/they

ABOUT NATAL: also known as Sol Natal or Natal Rox, is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist, educator, and community advocate of mixed Salvi-Chapin descent, proudly tracing their lineage to the Nahua peoples of Cuscatlán (El Salvador, Central America) while being born and raised on Treaty 8 Territory. They are the founder of BIPAN Magazine, a grassroots digital platform and artist collective centering queer intersectional voices, and BIPAN Support Services, which offers culturally grounded support, workshops, and consulting. Natal’s creative practice spans facilitation, writing, organizing, and production—always rooted in community, accountability, and joy.

BIPAN'S LOGO:

Andrea Miralles Studio

Designed by Andrea Miralles Studio, our new hand-drawn logo mark weaves together story, spirit, and symbolism from across Indigenous and diasporic worlds.

Rooted in Central American iconography, astrology, and mythology, the design features elements like the sun, moon, and third eye—symbols of protection, knowledge, and ancestral presence. The iris, inspired by our original logo’s cat’s eye, offers a gesture of continuity. Radiating outward, the eyelashes double as waves, evoking our deep ties to land, water, and the cosmos.

Geometric forms drawn from ancient Mesoamerican patterns—like the xicalcoliuhqui—add rhythm and balance, while subtle texture gives the piece a handmade, living feel. This mark honours our beginnings while carrying us into BIPAN’s next chapter.

Contact: @andreamiralles.studio

andreamaymiralles[at]gmail.com

Visit Andrea Miralles Studio

WHAT IS
BIPAN MAGAZINE?

Our goal is to stay free and accessible and continue to highlight people of the global majority.

Free Queer Media for those on Turtle Island!

Our Digital Art Collective strives to make BIPAN a safer place to experience representation and to embrace the queer community.

We are not an ego-based space, we do not claim to know everything on these topics nor shame those who have not been educated within them.

We have created 14

free-of-charge issues filled with queer education, resources, art and more.

WHAT ARE
ZINES?

Zines are independent publications not mediated by mainstream publishers and are a form of counter-cultural production. The medium is also a hands-on method of creating and circulating materials that challenge dominant ideas around gender, racism, and sexuality

Zines are also known as fanzines, underground press, little magazines, small press & alternative publications. Formats include, but are not limited to: Art Zines, DIY Zines, Fanzines, Literary Zines, Personal Zines (also called Perzines), & Political Zines.

Zines provide unique primary source material on contemporary histories and are often utilized as a medium for marginalized voices. Zines provide a cultural snapshot and provide local and historical value to the community.

JOIN OUR TEAM

BIPAN is looking to expand our team of volunteers.
All roles are remote and are unpaid volunteer positions.

Available Positions:

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Responsibilities: Aid in the creation of themed graphics for social media/website. Work as a Lead Digital Editor to execute designs for digital mag & Buy Me a Coffee merch. Gather inspiration for designs based on issue theme. Experience/skills required: Experience with Adobe apps such as Illustrator and photoshop. Experience with Canva. Understanding of design principles and knowledge of latest design trends. Time management and organizational skills. Amount of hours/week: Around 5 hours per week.

COLUMNISTS Responsibilities: Assist in finding local creatives/events to feature. Conduct research on featured guests/topics. Conduct interviews with planned interview questions. Write 800 to 1100 word articles based on research and interviews. Experience/skills required: Effective writing/communication skills. Strong research skills. Ability to match tone while letting your personality shine through. Knowledge of local creatives. Amount of hours/week: Around 5 hours per week.

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Responsibilities: Conduct email outreach on behalf of Bipan Magazine. Other administrative tasks as required. Experience/ skills required: Professional writing skills and ability to match tone according to brand. Highly organized. Social media management experience is an asset.

INQUIRE