Crystal AJ Smith: Writing to help end stereotypes about Indigenous people

Crystal AJ Smith is Haisla, Ts’ymsen and was adopted into the Heiltsuk nation. She is the proud mother of four beautiful children who are her world. She is a writer, poet, playwright and activist. She and her partner Raymond Shaw live in Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ territory. Crystal has her Master’s in Educational Administration and Leadership with a focus on Indigenous Leadership from UBC.

Author Crystal AJ Smith

She has stepped away from teaching in the colonial classroom to give her undivided attention to her children. She is actively learning and growing in culture and language, her family had their first feast in decades in 2022 for the hiłagwila of their son λugʷaləs K’ala’ask Shaw. She is now embarking on a journey to learn and understand her Haisla roots and has been learning Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ culture since 2020. In this interview she explores her approach to drafting and editing, and writing to help end stereotypes about Indigenous people.

Gitwaałtk by Crystal AJ Smith

Crystal's novel Gitwaałtk (Gordon Hill Press, 2026) is the story of a young Indigenous woman who loses her Sister-Cousin to the highway of tears and who embarks on a journey with her na̱xnox to find and bring to justice to the person responsible for her Sister’s disappearance. It’s an exploration of how grief and loss can find strength in family, community, and tradition.

Writing to help end stereotypes about Indigenous people

OCW: Can you trace any common themes across your writing?

CAJS: I suppose the common themes within my writing would have to be human rights, more specifically Indigenous rights. It is all tied to how Indigenous people have been stereotyped and harmed throughout history and that very harm continues today. I would like to bring that all forward and help others become more informed.

Crystal's approach to writing

OCW: Are you a plotter or a pantser? (For writers of short stories and novels).

CAJS: I am 100% a pantser, I feel like I let the story come to me. I could be driving, walking, working and will have to immediately stop to get the story out and on paper/computer.

OCW: If you’ve been published, how did you find your first publisher?

CAJS: I was able to find my publisher through a connection I made at a writing retreat in Banff. I feel very lucky in that sense.

OCW: What advice/guidance would you give to writers?

CAJS: I've been writing since I was at least 12 years old. It is my passion and I never gave up. So my advice would be to keep writing.

OCW: Do you edit as you write, or write and edit later?

CAJS: I definitely write first and edit later. This way the flow is not interrupted and I can get all thoughts out and make any corrections later.