Home / Arts and Entertainment / Skateparks Rise, Cultures Connect on Reservation
Skateparks Rise, Cultures Connect on Reservation
27 Feb
Summary
- Two documentaries from Flathead Reservation are film festival contenders.
- Water compact settlement based on decades of tribal scientific data.
- Skateboarding empowers youth, builds community on the Reservation.
Two documentaries originating from the Flathead Indian Reservation are among eight films vying for the Big Sky Award at the 2026 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. "The Water Keepers" details a groundbreaking tribal water-measurement program established in 1982.
This program involved tribal scientists meticulously installing and maintaining stream gauges across the Flathead Basin. The resulting data provided empirical evidence, forming the scientific foundation for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact. This significant water rights settlement was approved in 2020.
Complementing this is "Paving the Way," which explores the rise of skateparks on the Reservation. The film focuses on skateboarder, seamstress, and artist Alishon Kelly, illustrating skateboarding's role in connecting cultural traditions, artistic expression, and community empowerment for young people.
The documentary highlights how five new skateparks foster confidence and challenge stereotypes, offering a vibrant look at youth overcoming challenges. "Paving the Way" is directed by Keelan Williams, with Ivan MacDonald and Whitney Williams as producers.
