James Murphy (born October 11, 1965) is an American skateboarder, writer, artist, skateboard company owner, and skateboarding activist.

Early life

Murphy is of

Lenni-Lenape The Lenape (, , or Lenape , del, Lënapeyok) also called the Leni Lenape, Lenni Lenape and Delaware people, are an indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, who live in the United States and Canada. Their historical territory includ ...

and Irish descent. Murphy started skateboarding in 1976.

Professional skateboarding career

In the 1980s, Murphy turned pro and toured with the Alva skateboard company.

Stronghold Society

Murphy and Walt Pourier co-founded the Stronghold Society. Murphy is the skate parks director for the Stronghold Society.

Wounded Knee Four Directions Skatepark Program

Murphy and Pourier developed the Wounded Knee Four Directions Skatepark Program dedicated to creating and sustaining skateparks in Native American communities. The program operates out of the

501(c) organization A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the Law of the United States#Federal law, federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)) and is one of over 29 types of nonprofit organizations exe ...

Stronghold Society.

Wounded Knee 4-Directions Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skatepark

Murphy and Wounded Knee Skateboards, with Pourier and the Stronghold Society, lead a successful skatepark campaign for the Wounded Knee 4-Directions Skatepark on the

Pine Ridge reservation The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation ( lkt, Wazí Aháŋhaŋ Oyáŋke), also called Pine Ridge Agency, is an Oglala Lakota Indian reservation located entirely within the U.S. state of South Dakota. Originally included within the territory of the Grea ...

in South Dakota. The park opened in Pine Ridge Village in 2011.

Wounded Knee Skateboard Manufacturing and Propaganda

Murphy and Andy Kessler started the ''Wounded Knee Skateboard Manufacturing and Propaganda'' company in 1998. Murphy and Kessler decided to use the Wounded Knee name to spread awareness about Native American history and the Wounded Knee Massacre. Additionally, Murphy and Kessler envisioned that the company would one day give back to the Lakota people, the tribe massacred at Wounded Knee, by building skateboard parks for their youth.

Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom)

Murphy partnered with Todd Harder in founding Nibwaakaawin (Wisdom), a Native American nonprofit whose mission is to "foster creativity, build courage, enable cultural identity and pride, and promote nonviolent and healthy physical activity through skateboarding."

References

External links

Skateboarding for life - 2016 - Native America Calling - 16:43

Jim Murphy Skateboarding Demonstration - Pequot Museum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Jim Lenape people American skateboarders Living people Native American skateboarders 1965 births Native American activists 20th-century Native Americans 21st-century Native Americans