Joe Dion Buffalo

Whether he’s in front of the camera or performing gravity-defying feats at a skatepark, athlete and actor Joe Buffalo is an inspirational man on a powerful mission. This residential school survivor has become a legend in the skateboarding community for his skills and his work as a role model to young Indigenous skateboarders, whom he mentors through the Nations Skate Youth organization. After overcoming issues with substance use originating from his time at residential school, Joe became a professional skateboarder and has been sponsored by many notable brands, including Van’s and Colonialism Skateboards. He has travelled all over Turtle Island for competitions and demos and has frequently been featured in high-profile industry magazines such as Thrasher, Skateboarder, and Concrete Powder.

Joe draws strength from his heritage and was recently the subject of an acclaimed documentary entitled Joe Buffalo, which he co-wrote and was executive-produced by legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk. It appeared at festivals such as SXSW across Turtle Island and won numerous awards, further raising Joe’s profile even as it broadened awareness of the residential school system in Canada.