Joe Buffalo: The “Peace Gap” Deck Collab
Joe Buffalo x Revolution 514 — “Peace Gap”
A limited-edition deck inspired by Joe’s roots, his Montreal connection, and the moments in life when perseverance pays off.
We’re honoured to release this limited-edition Joe Buffalo deck under the Revolution 514 label, created to celebrate the artists and skaters who’ve shaped our culture from the ground up. The art designed by Peatr Thomas, a Swampy Cree/Ojibwé visual artist known for his powerful use of Indigenous symbolism and storytelling, the board reflects the spirit of strength and reclamation at the heart of Joe’s journey.
Joe’s story is one of resilience, community, and raw skate passion — a true reflection of the energy that defines Montreal’s scene and beyond. We’re proud to call him a friend.
“After residential school, I moved to Ottawa in ’92–’93 and rode for a shop called Sk8 City. Before I knew it, I was travelling to Montreal pretty regularly for contests and to skate Boucherville and Taz Mahal — the indoor parks there were huge, and we had nothing like that in Ottawa. I became a local, and what was supposed to be a six-month stay in Montreal ended up turning into ten years back in ’99.
At that time, the place to be was Peace Park. I saw so many of my favourite pros come to town and attempt to hop that thing, which made the idea of it even being possible stick in my mind. Just trying it was a nightmare — having to synchronize your steps just right. It sucked every time. I finally got it on my sixth attempt (over separate sessions). I’m pretty stoked to have left my mark on such a legendary spot as Peace. Seeing everything that’s been done there since is mind-blowing.
Much love to everyone involved in making this happen at Revolution 514, and to the entire city of Montreal! Je t'aime beaucoup!"
-Joe
To learn more about Joe’s story, check out “Surviving the Horror of Residential Schools by Skateboarding” — a short documentary by The New Yorker.
Portrait photo: Dave Sak; skate photo: Tristan Henry
About the artist
Peatr Thomas is a Swampy Cree/Ojibwe multidisciplinary artist from Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, Manitoba). His work spans mural painting, illustration, and design — often weaving together traditional teachings and contemporary urban influences. Peatr’s art celebrates Indigenous identity, healing, and community, bringing a vibrant energy to each piece. His graphic for this deck captures the resilience and pride that Joe embodies both on and off the board.
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