Team Indigenous and Jewish Roller Derby רולר דרבי יהודי to play at the 2019 International WFTDA Championships

On this day, we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, developed by the United Nations as they enacted the first Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.  The theme for 2019 is Indigenous Languages as Indigenous communities work globally to preserve and revitalize languages critical to the culture, identity and history of these communities. We have been so fortunate to find the common language of sport within roller derby, tying many nations together for a purpose.

As a global organization, the WFTDA recognizes the resilience and strength of all Indigenous peoples globally, and supports roller derby beyond the borders that constrain us and supports those that challenge systems of injustice through the building of community in roller derby. Team Indigenous and Jewish Roller Derby are two teams of strength, grace, and resilience that urge us to change the way we see the world and redefine “nation.”

We use this platform and our community on this important day to announce a revolutionary competition, WE ARE NATION: A GAME WITHOUT BORDERS featuring Team Indigenous and Jewish Roller Derby/רולר דרבי יהודי, hosted by WFTDA at the 2019 International WFTDA Championships, Saturday, November 16, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Not only will this game be part of the at-event game schedule, it will also be a free stream, live on WFTDA.tv.

About the Participating Teams

Team Indigenous

We are Team Indigenous Rising. We are the Original Nations of the Americas. We are Indigenous athletes, coaching staff, and volunteers. The mission and purpose of Team Indigenous Roller Derby is to unite the Indigenous roller derby community, representing the proud, once-borderless communities in our Ancestral Lands on these continents. Our Ancestral Home is known by many names: Turtle Island, Abya Yala, Pachamama, and thousands more. We are committed to strengthening the sport of flat track roller derby, the athletes who play it, and the Indigenous peoples throughout the hemisphere by representing First Nations people in events around the globe in 2019.

Jewish Roller Derby

Jewish Roller Derby/רולר דרבי יהודי unites the skaters, officials, and coaches of the Jewish diaspora as one team and one nation. We provide space within the international derby community for the displaced, the exiled, the stateless, the descendants of Judah. This team showcases the athleticism and the heart of the Jewish people through our dedication to the sport and community of flat track roller derby as well as our commitment to tikkun olam, or healing the world.  Jewish Roller Derby skates in solidarity with our sibling borderless nations and marginalized groups across the world.

Join us in Montréal or stream free on WFTDA.tv, Saturday, November 16 at 11:30 am EST to participate in this extraordinary game WE ARE NATION: A GAME WITHOUT BORDERS.

GET YOUR TICKETS TO CHAMPS NOW!

#WEARENATION
#TEAMINDIGENOUSRISING
#JEWISHROLLERDERBY