TWO GREY HILLS — Across the Navajo Nation, many youth face limited access to safe spaces and positive outlets. Events like the Protect the Land Skate Jam at Two Grey Hills are helping change that.
“Skateboarding gives our youth an outlet to stay active, clear their minds, and build confidence,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren.
President Nygren’s passion for skateboarding continues to shape his commitment to youth wellness across the Navajo Nation. As a skateboarder himself, he understands firsthand how the sport provides physical activity and a powerful outlet for mental health, confidence, and self-expression.
Since its rise in the late 1950s, skateboarding has grown into a global movement, celebrated annually on June 21 as “Go Skateboarding Day.” For many Navajo youth, the sport has become a form of “good medicine,” helping relieve stress and encourage healthy lifestyles.
That spirit is reflected in gatherings like this skate jam, hosted by the Diné Skate Garden Project in partnership with community organizations.
Youth from Tohaali and Sanostee schools—nearly 100 students—joined the event, taking part in beginner lessons, open skate sessions, and mentorship opportunities while building confidence and connection. Other students engaged in activities like seed planting, outdoor art, and a community clean-up to care for the land surrounding the skate park.
The gathering also welcomed visiting partners, including relatives from the north with Nation Skate Youth, along with professional skateboarder and advocate Nestor Judkins of Salad Days of Skateboarding.
The Diné Skate Garden Project began in 2019 with fundraising efforts launched in 2021, celebrating the dedication of a new skatepark in Two Grey Hills to create a safe and positive space for youth to stay active and build confidence.
To encourage skateboarding, large-scale distribution efforts have also expanded access to equipment. During the 76th Navajo Nation Fair, more than 2,000 skateboards were distributed to youth, followed by an additional 2,000 skateboards and 7,000 pairs of shoes at the 77th Navajo Nation Fair, and 1,500 skateboards at the Western Navajo Fair.
Additional milestones continue to highlight the cultural impact of skateboarding. In 2023, Navajo artist Di’Orr Greenwood was recognized nationally through the “Art of the Skateboard” Forever Stamp, celebrating Indigenous creativity. That same year, President Nygren met and skateboarded with legendary professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, strengthening partnerships that support youth programs.
At its core, the Protect the Land Skate Jam is about creating space for youth to grow, to connect, and to see a future where they feel supported, empowered, and rooted in both community and culture.
