The Colonialism x Girl Skateboards collaboration celebrates and supports Indigenous families and youth while drawing attention to the legacy of colonialism in undermining and upending Indigenous family and culture. Indigenous understandings of family are strongly rooted in traditional ways of knowing and being. Many Indigenous peoples recognize family as including not only parents and siblings, but also ancestors and extended family, Elders, and members of the wider community. The phrase ‘all my relations’ captures the broad way in which family is defined in Indigenous communities, as it emphasizes interconnectedness, the relationship between all people, and the unique roles that family and community play in supporting children’s sense of belonging and wellbeing.
In the spirit of supporting Indigenous youth, a portion of the Colonialism x Girl Skateboards collaboration will go to Nations Skate Youth – a non-profit Indigenous-led organization that inspires youth and encourages the importance of keeping culture and traditions alive while at the same time, showing Indigenous youth the capabilities of what skateboarding can bring into their lives in a positive way.