Buffalo Skaters
‘Skate for life’
The six people above all had their lives taken by police in Canada within a less than two week period, RCMP were responsible for four of the deaths and city police the other two between August 29 - September 8, 2024.
REZ13 collaborations looking to affect change concerning recent news of acts of racism from police in ‘Canada’
6 lives. 11 days
iniipoka Sterling Peterson
Seeking answers to questions and promoting an alternative dialogue…
iniipoka Sterling Peterson will lead the story on why racism is still a thing in Canada, and examine opportunities for taking the steps needed to enact positive change.
Joe Buffalo
Joe Buffalo’s RCMP Antihero board confronts Canada’s RCMP head on.
'This is a super power': Residential school survivor turned pro skateboarder aims to combat racism with sport
Joe Buffalo was forced to face his inner demons in order to realize his dream of turning pro.
“Skateboarding was like a saviour, given the circumstances of me growing up,” says Buffalo.
A member of the Samson Cree Nation born in Alberta, Buffalo was taken from his family and forced into the residential school system at eleven years old. He was the last generation to attend, following the painful path of his grandparents, parents, and siblings.
When Buffalo left the school in his early teens, he picked up a hobby that would become his outlet—skateboarding.
Tackling Racism…with a full deck.
A plan is unfolding to find a resolution to the injustices based on racism that are still occurring in Canada.
REZ13 is developing an outreach program into schools in BC comprised of skateboarders, journalists and RCMP. We will be developing this after October 1, 2024. Predominantly focusing on Joe Buffalo’s decks, we will also be creating a contest to win some of these fully assembled boards.
Levi Bent
Levi Bent of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, is teaching Nsyilxcen as well as traditional practices such as hide tanning.
Levi works through the Sen'Pok'Chin School in Oliver giving the youth of today the tools they need for tomorrow.
Levi Bent is an artist, author, fancy dancer, singer and actor…. and skateboarder.
He is also a teacher of traditional knowledge that helps First Nation youth stay on the right side of the law.
Levi lives by ‘Skate or Die’ and is a big fan of Joe Buffalo and his skateboards. Levi is going to get together a group of people who will form the basis of the skateboard film REZ13 is producing, to question racism and look at what steps are needed in order to create positive change.