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Colonialism Skateboards

Art Deck Descriptions

buffaloBuffalo Deck

This re-issue graphic from Colonialism explores the mass extermination and near extinction of the plains buffalo – a fundamental consequence of colonization in North America, and particularly Canada. Prior to (and even after) the arrival of European settlers, Indigenous peoples largely subsisted on the buffalo, hunting them on foot with the use of spears and other handmade weapons. Indigenous peoples depended on this valuable resource for their way of life, and the buffalo evolved into an integral part of their culture. There were more than 120 uses for the buffalo and virtually every part of the animal, including the bones, were used. As generations passed, Indigenous peoples mastered their techniques, eventually killing mass quantities of buffalo in a single hunt while still maintaining healthy buffalo populations. This was the case with the ‘buffalo jump’, a communal practice through hunters would drive a herd of buffalo over a cliff, breaking their limbs and making them immobile (if not outright killing them), and immediately finish the hunt using their handmade weapons. This strategy was used for generations before European newcomers introduced hunting aids of their own – the consequences of which would prove to be disastrous.

 

jingle

Jingle Dress Deck

Colonialism celebrates a very important Indigenous woman in the skateboard community on Turtle Island and a team rider for Colonialism. Rosie Archie is from Tsq'escen' (Canim Lake) of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation. Tsq’escenemc means “The People of Broken Rock” and they are part of the lakes people of the Northern Shuswap. Rosie’s traditional language that she learned growing up is Secwepemcstin, known as the Shuswap language. Rosie has been skating for years and is known for incorporating and celebrating her culture through skateboarding.
The graphic on the skateboard is Rosie’s Jingle Dress. It was made by her cousin, Mary Archie. The dress is worn when Rosie dances at Powwows but also helps Rosie heal and heal others while connecting with herself to Mother Earth. The pro graphic honors the deep history and education attached to the Jingle Dress. The Jingle Dress is a symbol of – Prayer and Healing – the Dress is worn for dancing by women, girls, and two-spirit individuals.

 

powwowdeckPowwow Highway Deck

This skateboard pays homage to the movie Powwow Highway. It’s a movie that debuted in 1988. The story is about two Cheyenne First Nation friends who have two very different outlooks on life. They set out on an adventure to save a family member from the police. This movie is a cult classic.

royalThe Royal Proclamation of 1763 Deck

The next graphic Colonialism looks at is the history surrounding the Royal Proclamation of 1763. The skateboard graphic features the original document which King Henry 3rd issued on October 7th, 1763. The Royal Proclamation gave way to the governing on Turtle Island (North America) which was surrendered by France to the British after the Seven Years’ War. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognizes Aboriginal rights to the lands, and it affirmed that these rights would continue to exist into the future. The Royal Proclamation is also called “The Indian Bill of Rights” or the “Indian Magna Carta” (Royal Proclamation). The Royal Proclamation set out the framework to negotiate Treaties with First Nations peoples living on Turtle Island. The Proclamation is also referenced in Section 25 of the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982.

bonesBuffalo Bones Deck

The graphic from Colonialism Skateboards explores the mass extermination and near extinction of the plains bison (or buffalo) – a fundamental consequence of colonization in North America, and particularly Canada. Prior to (and even after) the arrival of European settlers, Aboriginal peoples largely subsisted on the bison, hunting them on foot with the use of spears and other handmade weapons. Aboriginal peoples depended on this valuable resource for their way of life, and the bison evolved into an integral part of their culture. There were more than 120 uses for the bison and virtually every part of the animal, including the bones, were used. As generations passed, Aboriginal peoples mastered their techniques, eventually killing mass quantities of bison in a single hunt while still maintaining healthy bison populations. This was the case with the ‘buffalo jump’, a communal practice through hunters would drive a herd of bison over a cliff, breaking their limbs and making them immobile (if not outright killing them), and immediately finish the hunt using their handmade weapons. This strategy was used for generations before European newcomers introduced hunting aids of their own – the consequences of which would prove to be disastrous.

 

Anisha Marion-Pasaghesic

Concho and Beaded Hat Descriptions

conchobeltConcho Belt

This is a very special piece. I helped my late father make this concho belt about 14 years ago. This specific belt is made of a leather belt strip with brass conchos spaced evenly along the belt. The front has a snap-piece because my father thought this would be an easier way to take the belt on/off and also made it easier for him to adjust the belt as I grew.

beadedhat

Beaded Hat

This is my first beaded hat brim, which I completed October of 2022. My father passed in 2021, so this is one of the first projects that I completed without his guidance. The beads are size 11 glass seed beads. The scarf around the middle is known as a “hokum scarf” and is worn by many Indigenous women in our communities.
Last Updated: 10/9/23