A member of the Haisla First Nation in Bella Bella, Joe Starr or Gya yu stees of Nanaimo grew up in Kitamaat Village and began writing as therapy. He subsequently self-published a collection of stories, Nuyem Weaver, and a chapter book for grades four and five, NOSTA, set in Kitamaat and Bella Bella. He is the co-author of We are all Connected: Haisla, Rivers and Salmon (Strong Nations, 2017). He has taught at Nechako Elementary School in Kitimat, Iskut and at Bella Bella.