On Saturday, October 15th, Conscious Alliance was honored to help sponsor the opening of the Wounded Knee 4-Directions Skatepark on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Conscious Alliance was present for the celebration, participating in the event as well as delivering nutritious meal boxes to families in need on the reservation.

The skatepark is the brainchild of Walt Pourier, member of the Conscious Alliance Advisory Board and head of the Stronghold Society, a nonprofit organization based out of Colorado dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements. Walt had grown up skating on the reservation and had always wanted to see the skate culture grow in the community. The skatepark was named the Wounded Knee Four Directions Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skate Park in the memory of Toby Eagle Bull, a young skater who passed away on the reservation in 2002. Toby’s entire family was present and honored all the sponsors and volunteers for helping the community realize something that Toby had dreamt of years ago.

Together with the Tony Hawk Foundation, Grindline, Vans, and Jeff Ament (bass guitarist of Pearl Jam), the Stronghold Society was able to raise over $55,000 to fund the construction of the skatepark, which features three bowls and several jumps. The support was overwhelming as volunteers from Grindline—a multi-talented team of skatepark designers, concert craftsmen, construction managers, and professional skateboards—camped out at the park, working around the clock to make sure it was ready for the opening. Through their teamwork and cooperation, the sponsors and volunteers constructed a professional-grade skatepark in celebration of the community’s youth.

Local hip-hop groups, a spoken word artist, and several other acts performed throughout the day, many of them referencing life on the reservation as well as the history of injustice to the Native American population. Jeff Ament and a few professional skaters were present all day coaching the young skaters.

The park was created in the spirit of providing a healthy and positive outlet for the community’s youth population, as Jeff Ament was quoted, “Skating saves lives.” The teenage suicide rate on the reservation is 150% higher than the national average, presenting the need for a positive, physical outlet for youth in the Pine Ridge community. The sense of togetherness at the opening was strong, giving the skatepark a positive and inspiring beginning. We were privileged to be present at such an amazing event and are excited to continued participation in youth outreach projects in Pine Ridge and other communities.

More News from Conscious Alliance:

April Food Delivery to Pine Ridge

In April, the Conscious Alliance team, accompanied by Advisory Board member Mike Bank and his family, made a trip up to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in a fully loaded twenty-two foot Penske truck. We carried with us over 4000 pounds of food that was donated by our generous community at Food Drives at recent music events, along with a plethora of clothing and other donated items.

Join Us for a FREE Show on Sunday May 13th in Denver!

In celebration of the new album ‘Aquatic Hitchhiker’ LEFTOVER SALMON will perform a free concert on the 700 Block of Santa Fe Drive from 1pm – 6pm on May 13th! This event is a benefit for Conscious Alliance!

Great Cycle Spectacles Oakland

We are very excited to team up with STS9 this weekend to host a Food Drive at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA on April 20th & 21st! Mars-1 has created a poster that will be available to all patrons who donate 20 non-perishable food items to the Food Drive.

Kurt Redeker – Interdimensional Artist

We want to give you the opportunity to learn a little bit more about our artists and what they’re up to in our new series of artist profiles. The first artist we would like to introduce is Kurt Redeker, master digital visionary artist and owner of Knew Conscious Gallery in downtown Denver.

Wanee Music Festival

Come join us at Wanee Music Festival this weekend, April 19-21, 2012! We will be hosting an ‘Art That Feeds’ Food Drive sponsored by Live Nation at this event at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.