As skateboarders, every one of us fortunate enough to have a local skatepark knows how important these designated spaces are to our skate communities. The local skatepark is our second home, our training ground, and an incubator of creative expressions of all art and friendship that comes with a dedicated space for skateboarding. However, not everyone is as fortunate as the major cities blessed with a skatepark, with far too many of our communities without any skatepark whatsoever. At Skateism, we’re hoping to bring more awareness to the fundraisers out there helping communities construct their first skatepark. We once again invite our readers to let us know of the skatepark fundraisers going on in your area so we can help spread the stoke of skateboarding to those communities who need it most.
Words by Zane Foley
Photographs courtesy of Orenda Tribe
When our editors stumbled upon the #DinéSkateGardenProject, we were instantly onboard with bringing awareness to this project. A video surfaced of Naiomi Glasses, a Navajo skateboarder and artist riding her board down a mountain rock face in what appears to be an isolated part of Navajo land. The Nat-Geo like clip was a call to skateboarders and the world to showcase how the Navajo Nation, with only a few skateparks, is left with little to no opportunities to foster their skate community. The quest for a skatepark on Navajo Nation, caught the attention of Tony Hawk, and now, partnering with the Orenda Tribe, the Diné Skate Garden Project kicked off their biggest event yet on February 14th, 2021, with a live streamed benefit concert hosted by Jewel; featuring special guests such as Tony Hawk, artist Tia Wood and community leaders from Two Grey/Toadlena Chapter of the Navajo Nation. Along with Jewel’s Inspiring Children and their friends from Wonders Around the World Org, the benefit concert announced their goal to build a transformative space for Diné Youth and their families.
Skateism invites you to join in what the Orenda Tribe are calling, “A love offering for our children,” and their goal of raising $100k to start building as early as September. The Orenda Tribe are asking to help amplify this project of love for their future generations. At Skateism, just as the Orenda Tribe and everyone involved with the Diné Skate Garden Project, we want to support this remote indigenous community by helping Naomi and the Orenda Tribe provide a safe and inclusive public skatepark to empower strength and resilience after the hardships faced during this pandemic.
With just a few clicks or finger dabs on your phone, there are several ways you can help a skatepark on Navajo Nation. For starters, you can text GOSKATE to 707070 to donate your “love offering” today and head over to Orenda Tribe’s Linktree, to join the Diné Skate Garden Project benefit. The website includes shopping authentic Navajo merchandise and artwork directly or through the Shine Light auctions and a calendar to all their upcoming fundraisers and events. No matter how you donate, 100% of proceeds go to the Diné Skate Garden Project and help support this indigenous community and their quest for a skatepark on Navajo Nation. With the support of skateboarding, the Navajo Nation is well on their way to having this skatepark.
As Orenda Tribe writes on their website, SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT Orenda Tribe and Jewel are honored to present the Diné Skate Garden Project a project of love for the community of “Tóhaaliní” (Where the Water flows Out) located in the Two Grey Hills/Toadlena chapter of the Navajo Nation. This is a remote community nestled in the Chuska Mountains between Shiprock and Gallup, that has no outdoor sport recreational facilities. Their goal is to build a transformative space for Diné youth and their families. With the support of skateboarding, anything is possible!
You can follow @orendatribe and @naiomiglasses on Instagram for more ways to support Navajo Nation and support the Diné Skate Garden Project.
