Team Indigenous, empowering native athletes through roller derby

April Fournier, co-founder of Team Indigenous, emphasizes the importance of visibility for native people in roller derby. She shares her journey and the inspiration behind forming a team of Indigenous athletes. The team communicates through video conferencing and participates in events like Roller Con. Team Indigenous focuses on community and representation rather than competition, celebrating shared experiences and cultural identity.

What motivated April Fournier to co-found Team Indigenous?

• To win more roller derby championships

• To create a space for Indigenous athletes

• To compete against Team Japan

• To promote roller derby in Maine

What challenge did April face while playing roller derby in Maine?

• Lack of proper training facilities

• Being the only person of color on the team

• Inability to travel for tournaments

• Difficulty in finding teammates

How does Team Indigenous primarily communicate with its members across different regions?

• By organizing regular meetups

• Through social media platforms

• Via email newsletters

• Using video conferencing

What is Roller Con, where Team Indigenous participates?

• A local roller derby league

• A roller derby convention in Las Vegas

• A roller derby training camp

• A national roller derby championship

What is the primary focus of Team Indigenous according to April Fournier?

• Winning as many matches as possible

• Training the best roller derby athletes

• Building a strong community and representation

• Competing in international tournaments