Where Culture and Creativity Meet

Meet Kirsten

Hi, I’m Kirsten, but my friends call me KJ. I’m a Communication Designer and storyteller from the St’át’imc Nation. I’m currently working as a Communications Specialist for St’át’imc Government Services. I also freelance as a graphic designer, collaborating with non-profits and community-driven organizations on projects that hold meaning and impact.

I live and work on the unceded and ancestral territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, with gratitude and respect as a guest. My life takes me between these territories and my home community of T'it'q'et. My practice brings together design, storytelling, and strategy to create visuals that foster understanding and connection.

I grew up in T’ít’q’et, which means Alkaline Earth. Although our community was historically called the “Lillooet Indian Band” by the government, that name does not reflect the meaning of T’ít’q’et or who we are. From this place, I learned how each Nation carries its own stories, challenges, and strengths.

The teachings of the P’eg’p’íg’lha, my clan within the St’át’imc Nation, continues to guide how I live and create. These traditional laws remind me that everything is connected: people, land, language, and story. I hold close the seven sacred values passed down from our Elders — health, happiness, generations, generosity, compassion, power, and quietness. For me, these teachings are not just history and tradition but a way of being: to live in balance, to listen deeply, and to act with care for the generations before and after us. They ground my design practice in reciprocity, responsibility, and respect for all my relations.

Currently, I’m deeply interested in how law intersects with storytelling, governance, and Indigenous rights. The teachings I carry of balance, respect, and responsibility to future generations shape how I think about justice and self-governance. My curiosity about legal systems stems from the same place as my design practice: a commitment to making complex information more accessible and empowering for communities. I see law, like design, as another tool to uphold our values — to help Indigenous Nations assert their rights, protect their lands, and build futures grounded in care, reciprocity, and self-determination.

When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me hanging out with my partner and our two cats, playing cozy video games, practicing guitar, exploring nature, or mountain biking in the summer.

Awards

Science World Brand Refresh – 2021 RGD In-House Design Awards of Distinction (Judge’s Pick)

https://rgd.ca/hiring-designers/award-winners/in-house-awards-past-winners

Education

I graduated from Emily Carr University of Art & Design in 2017 with a Bachelor of Design (BDes), Majoring in Communication Design and a Minor in Curatorial Practices.

Qwezqwazízken — Blue Bird

The blue bird in my logo represents my traditional name, Qwezqwazíźken, which means Blue Bird in St’át’imcets, the language of my people. This name was given to me when I was young and has always been a reflection of my identity and spirit.

Qwezqwazíźken carries the essence of freedom, movement, and voice. My name is a reminder to speak truth, create with intention, and stay connected to who I am and where I come from. Through my work, I carry the spirit of the blue bird, uplifting stories and designs that honour community, culture, and connection.