Indigenous Skate Jam
All My Rolling Relations
September 9, 2023, 11am-4pm
ALMA, 1322 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
All My Rolling Relations was a free and family-friendly event open to all ages and audiences for Indigenous youth, skaters, and relatives to share the joy of skateboarding and community. BIPOC skaters could open skate at the pop-up skatepark, and beginners could join the skate clinics for free lessons from experienced skaters and pick up gear. This event was organized by Lakota and Samoan skateboarder Spirit Miska, in collaboration with yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective, ALMA, Tacoma Native Art Market, and Alchemy Skateboarding.
We are so thankful to have received funding from the Puyallup Tribe and WEND!
Photos by Mel Carter
“It was a beautiful experience seeing my culture and my favorite hobby collide, I felt truly empowered and proud to see my tradition thrive.”
Featuring:
Pop up skate park with clinics by Alchemy Skateboarding
Announcements by MC Derek Black (Puyallup / Quinault)
Screenprinting by Shirt the City
Live music by Anthony Bluehorse (Dakota / Lakota) and the Rockin’ Horse Drum Group
Performances by Daybreak Star Radio
Grip tape art project by Alex Fernandez (Navajo / Pauquachin) of Paranoia Skateboards
Table activities from yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective
Vendors curated by Tacoma Native Art Market
Free Yerba Mate by Guayakí
Prizes and gear giveaways for BIPOC skaters and youth
Food and drinks available for purchase at ALMA’s Cafe
Art and designs by Spirit Miska.
“I really enjoyed it and it was really impactful. It was my first time engaging with my Native side. The event was very well put together and everyone was hyped. Everyone got to skate together. My friend Cody who just started skating was excited to skate here at his first skate event. I got to partake in and experience Indigenous culture, such as smudging for the first time and it was really cool. Overall it was really impactful and made me want to be more inclusive and involved in local tribes and getting to know my own Native culture.”
Photos by Aidan Avey
About the Organizer
Spirit Ta’an’pe’tu Miska (they/she) is a Huŋkpapa Lakota and Sāmoan scholar, skateboarder and community organizer who works at Alchemy Skateboarding, a nonprofit providing resources for youth to experience the joy of skateboarding as a source of empowerment. Spirit is a first-generation college graduate of UW-Seattle, earning their bachelor’s in Public Health-Global Health and American Indian Studies. Spirit, also known as Wo’oki’hi’wiŋ (Ability to Achieve Woman), is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.