About Me
I’m Joel Southall, a full-stack developer, writer, and Indigenous technologist blending code, culture, and creativity.
As a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, I bring a grounded and relational approach to technology. My journey spans journalism, philosophy, and digital design — culminating in a software development career where I create purposeful tools like Hop with Waabooz and ShelterFinder.
I enjoy building apps that combine usability, social good, and elegant design — especially for Indigenous communities and grassroots projects.
🎨 Visual Storytelling & UX Writing
I also have a comprehensive background in web and graphic design, supported by training in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and self-taught expertise in GIMP and Inkscape.
This site, and projects like Hop with Waabooz, demonstrate how I blend graphic design, mascot-driven UX, and strong copywriting to craft applications that are both helpful and engaging.
From posters to UI mockups to frontend animations, I aim to tell stories that stick — whether I’m coding or designing.
🛠️ Technologies I Use
I focus on building scalable, efficient solutions using .NET technologies, including:
- C#
- ASP.NET Core MVC
- ASP.NET Core Web API
- Blazor Server & WASM
- Oqtane
- EF Core / ADO.NET
- SQL
- SignalR
- IdentityServer
- xUnit/nUnit
I complement that with front-end tools and cross-platform experience:
- JavaScript
- React / React Native
- CSS / Bootstrap
- Node.js / Express.js
- MongoDB / MariaDB
- Google Firestore
- Python
- PHP
- Flutter / Dart
- Firebase Auth
About This Portfolio
This portfolio showcases the tools I’ve built, designed, or contributed to — from web apps and APIs to language-learning tools and community-focused resources.
Every case study features visuals, code highlights, and technical reflections. I focus on both problem-solving and presentation, aiming to make my work approachable to technical and non-technical audiences alike.
The site itself is built on WordPress using custom HTML blocks and styling.
If you’re curious about anything you see here, feel free to get in touch. I love collaborating with thoughtful teams and curious people.