Imported. Stain colour may vary. Grip not included.
This graphic from Colonialism Skateboards is a Joe Buffalo pro board. Joe is from Maskwacis, Alberta (Samson Cree Nation) and has been skateboarding most of his life. As a Residential School Survivor, Joe uses skateboarding to overcome obstacles that many Indigenous peoples face on a daily basis. The skateboard graphic is explained below with a map of what each image signifies.
1. The symbolism with the “Two Worlds Colliding” is based on the 2005 documentary by Tasha Hubbard about the infamous ‘starlight tours’ and freezing deaths of Indigenous men in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This powerful documentary focuses on police brutality directed at Indigenous peoples and racism in canada’s justice system. It’s important to understand the history of police killing Indigenous peoples and its connection to the northwest mounted police (now known as the royal canadian mounted police) which were first created to oppress, control, and kill Indigenous peoples. Check out the documentary here: https:///s/files/1/0274/5729/0358/files/two-worlds-guide_480x480.jpg?v=1626459465″>
Michael Langan is an Indigenous artist from Cote First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory, who is committed to educating people through creative renderings of our colonial past. After moving to Regina almost 20 years ago, Micheal immersed himself in the local skateboard community, of which he has remained a prominent member ever since. Last spring, Micheal launched his own skateboard company – Colonialism Skateboards – to draw attention to, and have people engage with, complex and untelling aspects of Indigenous Canadian history and culture. By combining skateboard art with a history lesson on Indigenous culture and colonialism in Canada, Micheal’s innovative approach is leading a conversation about how Canadians, especially youth, can move forward together through reconciliation.
Profoundly influenced by his upbringing and experiences as an inter-generational residential school survivor, Micheal’s initiative has grown and expanded beyond the realm of skateboarding. He has been invited to elementary and high school classrooms in Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, as well as various community panels to speak about his company and its mandate. He was recently invited to the Winnipeg Art Gallery to speak on an Indigenous artist panel, where his boards were featured.
Colonialism Skateboards continues to receive international attention as Micheal inspires skateboarders and non-skateboarders alike to learn about the history and enduring legacy of colonization, and to think about ways to address these ongoing challenges locally and globally.
Colonialism has produced several pro boards for Joe Buffalo as well as a guest board with Dustin Henry.
Micheal has been a long time member of the Tiki Room family.