“Helping build skateparks on Native reservations to create positive outlets for youth in communities facing significant mental health challenges.”
STRONGER TOGETHER
Stronger Together began through friendships in skateboarding.
Jim Murphy of Wounded Knee Skateboards introduced me to Walt Pourier, founder of Stronghold Society, a Native-led organization using skateboarding to create positive spaces for young people in Native communities.
I was running Up Mountain Switchel at the time and saw an opportunity to build a partnership.
Stronghold knew its communities and led the way. We brought what we could. Together, we helped build skateparks, gave kids skateboards and taught them how to put them together, hosted events, skated, and kept everyone hydrated with switchel.
It was hands-on work in communities facing profound challenges, including extraordinarily high rates of youth suicide.
Photo by Scott Soens
STRONGER TOGETHER SHORT FILM
We made Stronger Together to bring attention to what was happening on the ground.
I produced and creatively directed the film alongside the incredibly talented Scott Soens and Kyle Mac.
The film centered on Bobby Pourier Jr. Bobby wrote his own words. We didn't tell him what to say. We hung out, skated, talked about our lives and what we were trying to do.
Bobby took it from there.
The partnership kept developing, including work with a Native botanist to explore what an Up Mountain product rooted in the collaboration might look like.
Years later, Stronger Together is still part of the conversation.