The Navajo Nation was host to The Modern Matriarch Skate Jam on September 23, 2023 at the Two Grey Hills Skatepark. This first of its kind all-woman skate comp was a showcase for women’s skateboarding in general and specifically provided inspirational mentorship and clinics for Indigenous women.
“The Modern Matriarch Skate Jam was an incredible success thanks to the support of our sponsors, partner brands, and most importantly the women who competed and the community that came out to support them,” said 4KINSHIP Founder Amy Denet Deal. “It was such a joy to see young women joined by Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya. We were honored to have the first woman elected to the executive office of Navajo Nation join our celebration. We’re looking forward to making this an annual event and being able to continue to support our young matriarchs as they rise in power in this sport.~ Amy Denet Deal, Founder of 4KINSHIP, auntie of Diné Skate Garden Project.
For full results and the official word from 4Kinship and Diné Skate arden Project, please follow the jump.
4KINSHIP Honors Competitors, Celebrates the Winners of the Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam
Held at the Two Grey Hills Skate Park on Navajo Nation
First ever all women’s skate jam featured
indigenous skate advocates Rosie Archie and Di’Orr Greenwood
and Global Womens Skate Collective GrlSwirl and Poseiden Foundation
provide coaching and inspiration to Indigenous skaters
4KINSHIP and Diné Skate Garden Project announced the winners of The Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam, a groundbreaking event, first of its kind, all-women skate competition at the Two Grey Hills Skate Park on the Navajo Nation. The Skate Jam took place on September 23, 2023. In addition to giving Indigenous women access to inspirational mentorship and clinics, the Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam also shone a light on the need for skateboarding equipment for Diné youth. 4KINSHIP has set a 2023 goal to provide skate equipment to 2,030 youth on Navajo Nation.
Competitors in the 2023 Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam were broken into two age categories, AT’ÉÉD (girls ages 5-14 years old) and ASDZÁÁ (women ages 15+). Kaeleigh Anasteen won first place in the AT’ÉÉD age bracket, Cheyenne “Rosie” Jones was named the second-place finisher, Chariety Charley placed third, and Jazzlynn Segina placed fourth. In the ASDZÁÁ age category, the first-place winner was Pearline Herrera-Vigil. Kristen Ascencio placed second, Peyton Alex third, and Mercedes Benally placed fourth.
“The Modern Matriarch Skate Jam was an incredible success thanks to the support of our sponsors, partner brands, and most importantly the women who competed and the community that came out to support them,” said 4KINSHIP Founder Amy Denet Deal. “It was such a joy to see young women joined by Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya. We were honored to have the first woman elected to the executive office of Navajo Nation join our celebration. We’re looking forward to making this an annual event and being able to continue to support our young matriarchs as they rise in power in this sport.~ Amy Denet Deal, Founder of 4KINSHIP, auntie of Diné Skate Garden Project.
“We couldn’t have a matriarchal skate jam without one of the oldest matriarchs (the female rain) joining the jam. A powerful display for our young girls and young women.” ~ Di’Orr Greenwood, Diné Artist and Entrepreneur and Skate Mentor
“I was totally honored to be a guest on the land and at this event. It was so empowering and to be apart of history was amazing. My favorite part was seeing the kids smiles and the encouragement from everyone that attended. Seeing girls/women skating in traditional skirts was beautiful. I felt the love and this event is truly building a stronger skateboarding community that is powerful. It’s a day I will never forget. ~ Rosie Archie, Indigenous Skate advocate, Community leader, Pro Skater.
“I am truly honored to partner with the indigenous women of Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam. Witnessing the dedication and talent of these remarkable athletes, as well as the overwhelming community support from the Navajo Nation, was truly inspiring. This event has opened up new horizons for young skaters, and I can’t wait to see it become an annual tradition, inspiring more young indigenous matriarchs to rise in power within this sport.” ~ Micaela Ramirez, Founder of Poseiden Foundation, Skate advocate & philanthropist
“Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam was a beautiful coming together of culture, skill, and community as indigenous women and girls of all ages pushed their own comfort zones to compete against each other, as well as celebrate each other within skateboarding and beyond. To see these women and girls stand strongly and powerfully with each other, encouraging each other, empowering each other- truly shows how when indigenous women come together there is no limit to what they can do.” -Stephanie Serra GRLSWIRL Team Rider
Two Grey Hills Skate Park is an inclusive public skatepark and community space that was envisioned by Diné-owned sustainable artwear brand 4KINSHIP and built with members of the community. With support from partners including Tony Hawk’s organization, The Skatepark Project, and Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation, the Diné Skate Garden Project is intended to support and empower the next generation of Diné skateboarders.
In addition to skateboarding skills clinics led by #DinéSkateGardenProject skate mentors Peyton Alex and Di’Orr Greenwood in allyship with team members from GRLSWIRL, a woman founded skate collective, Poseiden Foundation a skateboarding nonprofit that inspires youth to follow their passions and accomplish their dreams, the Modern Matriarchs Skate Jam also featured a vendor village and health and wellness village, guest Diné DJ Vanessa Bowen and free refreshments provided by Cellular One. Prizes for winners were donated from native brands ThunderVoice Hat Co, Prados Beauty, and skate brands Carver Skateboards, Zumiez, Native Shoes, Triple 8 NYC.
Anyone can support getting every kid in a 50-mile radius of the Two Grey Hills Skate Park a skateboard and helmet by texting GOSKATE to 707070 to learn more and to donate.
About 4KINSHIP
4KINSHIP is a Diné (Navajo) woman-run sustainable and upcycled artwear brand and creative agency based in the Southwest. 4KINSHIP infuses colors of the earth and sky into each piece that are lovingly hand-dyed under the blue skies of New Mexico. 4KINSHIP’s company ethics are built upon not only sustainable processes in fashion, but also to create sustainable solutions for our future generations. Founded in 2015 by Amy Denet Deal, fueled by a desire to honor her Indigeneity, and to be of service to commUNITY.
Diné Skate Garden Project was created by Amy to support the community of Two Grey Hills on Navajo Nation provide a transformative space to inspire Dine youth on the Navajo Reservation to find their strength and passion through the empowerment of skateboarding.
About Di’Orr Greenwood:
Di’Orr Greenwood, born in northeastern Arizona within the Navajo Nation, embraces her Diné heritage and tribal community. She is a high-level competitive skateboarder and instructor and was one of the 4 artists selected for the “Art of the Skateboard “ USPS Forever Stamp 2023.
Her artistic journey began with family, who taught her traditional skills such as cooking, beadwork, woodburning, and flute-making from a young age.
Inspired by her Navajo roots, Greenwood founded Woodburn Skateboards, a pyrography art skateboard company selling elevated designs that incorporated Navajo symbols and teachings.. Greenwood’s art blends tradition with modernity, drawing inspiration from nature and the sacred significance of the number four in Navajo culture.
About Rosie Archie:
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. Her traditional language that she learned growing up is Secwepemcstin, known as the Shuswap language. For the past 22 years she has been living and skateboarding on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
In 2013, Rosie started an annual Skate Jam called Stop, Drop and Roll with the purpose of bringing Girls, Women, Trans, Non-binary and/or Gender non-conforming Skaters together in a safe space. In 2019, Rose co founded a non profit called Nations Skate Youth in her living room.
Rosie’s main message to the youth is to remind them to be proud of who they are and where they come from.Rosie turned Pro for Colonialism Skateboards and has been helping bring awareness and educate people about colonialism she is known for incorporating and celebrating her culture through skateboarding.
About GRLSWIRL:
GRLSWIRL is a women founded skate collective with a mission to unify people globally through skateboarding by cultivating authentic community. Through rigorous grassroots efforts, GRLSWIRL has cultivated an extremely successful worldwide community, business and movement. With chapters and members around the globe, GRLSWIRL as a collective has inspired more than 300,000 followers join their movement.
About The Poseiden Foundation
Since 2005, The Poseiden Foundation has been helping youth from any background understand that by believing in themselves, they can accomplish their dreams.The Poseiden Foundation’s Purpose is to enhance the quality of life and create positive outlets for youth in the United States, Latin America, and Globally through participation in alternative sports (Skateboarding).
The Poseiden Foundation’s Mission is to inspire all youth through life-changing experiences to pursue their passions and to accomplish their dreams. Through empowerment, love, and support, we change the mindset of society by raising awareness of at-risk youth and unhoused children within our community.
The Foundation’s focus is to build confidence in youth by giving them a skateboard so they can ignite their passions, conquer their fears, and learn what’s possible when you believe in yourself. The Foundation’s vision is that together as a community, we can create a better future for our youth, make a positive impact, and Change the World!
About Inspiring Children Foundation:
For 21 years Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation (ICF) has been transforming the lives of at-risk youth in Las Vegas through a whole human approach to physical, emotional and mental health. ICF serves 2,500 youth in-person and millions online. 95% of students in their Leadership Program have earned college scholarships for academics & athletics (tennis) to some of the best colleges in the US. 100% of our last graduating class self reported a full remission in their depression and suicidal ideation symptoms. Parts of the program are now being duplicated in 22 cities by other non profits. For more information, please visit www.inspiringchildren.org.
