The Student Equity Speaker Series hosted Apache Skateboards and their “A Team” for a panel discussion , the final event for the Art of Skate Exhibition, on Nov. 20 to feature Native Americans in America, the future of native skating and celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
The event began with a brief introduction from Eric Lara, the Associate Dean for Student Success Equity. Andrea Garcia Gonzalez, a Program Specialist for Student Success and Equity then took over as the panel moderator asking questions of the panel, and then opening up the floor to an audience Q&A.
Douglas Miles Sr., founder and creative director of Apache Skateboards, opened up the panel informing attendees of the history of the Native American presence in Southern California. Apache Skateboards started Highlighting the dark history of Native Americans being forced to move out of their own native-owned land. Miles’ art challenges audiences to “examine where we stand, who came before us and the continued presence and brilliance of native people today,” said Lara.
Miles Sr. is noted as a muralist, painter, print maker, photographer and activist entrepreneur. “Apache Skateboards are more than a brand, it’s an artistic movement, a cultural statement and a celebration of native creativity and visibility,” said Miles Sr.
The bulk of the discussion was around ideas from the short film “The Mystery of Now” that follows Miles Sr., his son Dough Miles Jr., riders for the “A Team” and other community members from the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Prominent themes discussed were around youth, Native history, culture and community.
Ocea Lei, a past speaker for the speaker series and professional skateboarder, emphasized the importance of the presence of Apache Skateboards within an environment like a community college, “because of systemic racism, native, indigenous, black and brown people, we have not been talked about…What it does for this college is show there are people out there, native people, black and brown people,” said Ocealei. “I’ve been skating since I was 7…people up there being as young as 12, just not, you know, being represented.”
“I recognize a lot of the things about … natives coming up in skating. And the diversity there and the struggles that you have to go through. There not being as much concrete just like the same as there is in the city” said David Alderete, an attendee.
Before, during and after the panel attendees were welcome to grab food that was provided, and while SAC Media did not attend, Kirk Peterson invited all attendees to the closing ceremony for the Art of Skate where more autographs and pictures were said to be available with Apache Skateboards.
The Student Equity Speaker Series hosts monthly events focusing on different cultures and communities, including banned book events, guest speakers and monthly mentor meetings. All events and panels are completely free and accessible to students and more information can be found on their website.
