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Team Indigenous Rocks Roller Derby World Cup

Jim Dier

A few weeks ago, Milwaukeean Jennifer Bennettspoke with Lake Effectbefore heading to England to compete for Team Indigenous in the Flat Rock Roller Derby World Cup. The team consisted of women from indigenous communities in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and South America.

Bennett, who skates for Milwaukee’s Brew City Bruisers had competed for Canada in a previous World Cup.

Due to distance, the team was assembled remotely by its organizers, so the first time the team played together was at the World Cup. Team Indigenous was in the first match of the competition against an ironic rival: Team Italy. Bennett explains, "That's where Christopher Columbus [was from]... the flag he flew under." 

"We need to figure out what the next steps are. Figure out what our resources are, what our capabilities are, in terms of being able to compete again."

Team Indigenous finished in 27th place out of 38 teams and its journey to the World Cup was the subject of a multimedia feature in the New York Times. Since competing, Team Indigenous has been invited to compete all over the world, but Bennett says it's unlikely they'll be able to travel as much as they're being asked. Still, she's confident Team Indigenous is here to stay. 

"We need to figure out what the next steps are. Figure out what our resources are, what our capabilities are, in terms of being able to compete again. There definitely will be another team formed at the next World Cup, but that’s in three or four years," says Bennett.