by photo credit: Johny Leatherman
Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Kola Shippentower is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla and she lives on the reservation in Pendleton, OR.
Shippentower has transitioned from areas of self-defense to playing professional football and also being a small business owner.
“In 2010, I started training in MMA as a means of self-defense,” said Kola Shippentower. “I made my professional debut in 2016. I’m currently a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) under Professor Jeremy Harrington of Siri BJJ. I’ve had the opportunity to train and compete all over the country.”
“I just recently signed on with the Oregon Ravens of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) for the 2024 season,” added Shippentower.
Indigenous core values often lead indigenous athletes to lead their lives in a good way. Shippentower talked about her indigenous core values connection. She said, “My Uncle Armand Minthorn is a longhouse/spiritual leader and he often says ‘with an open mind and open heart’. At a young age I learned that this must be applied to everything, including athletics. I’m a very coachable athlete. Regardless of the coaching style, I adapt and learn. Keeping that open mindedness & willingness to learn has been key to training.”
“Something else that I’ve carried is, ‘do it for the ones that can’t’, this is usually in regard to the singing and dancing we do within our longhouse or even on the powwow floor. I apply this to my training and competing as well, and there are elders and those with special needs or disabilities that can’t do these movements, so I will. It’s with this understanding that I make sure I’m the hardest worker in the room,” added Shippentower.
“I remain mindful of how I move in this world, understanding that wherever I go I am a minority, I am rare, I am unique,” said Shippentower. “But in that same breathe, I’m a threat, I am brave and I should not be underestimated. I ensure that the representation of my family, my tribe and my People are always at the forefront. I ensure that my teammates, my coach’s, my opponents and those watching understand and acknowledge where it is that I come from and the People I have behind me.”
“I struggled with alcoholism, and from this came depression and low self-esteem,” said Shippentower. “I’m currently nine years and four months sober. I’m a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment by law enforcement.”
“With this and the loss of many family members being killed (MMIWR), I created my own business called the Wisawca Project, LLC. I provide personal safety consulting, self-defense training and motivational speaking. This advocacy is my true passion,” added Shippentower.
Shippentower continues to set goals to achieve in all areas of her life and to make others better.
“Short term, I’m going to earn my black belt in BJJ and make the 2024 WNFC All Pro Team,” said Shippentower. “In the future, I want to continue advocating for my People. Utilizing any platform, I can to continue to raise awareness around Indigenous issues. Ultimately, I just want to be able to keep up with my three active sons. Showing them they can do anything they want regardless of where they come from and that they can take on any challenge put before them.”
Professor Jeremy Harrington is a holder of the Siri Black Belt. Shippentower said, “Jeremy has been my coach and close friend for almost 11 years. He helped me gain my sobriety by providing the space to train in jiu jitsu. He’s offered me space and time to just be, respecting my culture and where I come from. He has never once given up on me as a person or athlete. His love and support truly saved my life and has helped me become the person I am today.”
Jeremy Harrington talked about one of his prize students. He said, “I’ve been training almost 23 years and took me 16 years to receive my Black Belt. I met Kola from fighting in the MMA circuit. I’ve known her for about 18 years. I pushed her to start focusing on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and she been training with me since 2013. She is currently a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.”
“Kola is always pushing her Siri BJJ teammates and sparring and rolling with them to get ready for competition. She always comes back when most women would give up after grappling and sparring with 200 pound plus dudes five days a week. She also competes and leads by example and helps me corner at tournaments. She wins some and loses some but always with a smile either way it goes,” added Coach Harrington.
“Her don’t quit attitude, being humble, good conditioning and will tell you the truth if you’re doing something wrong,” said Coach Harrington. “This makes Kola a great asset and leader for our team at Siri BJJ. She is a strong woman, mother, wife and warrior. I’m very blessed to have her in my life and a team member.”
The Oregon Ravens are a professional women’s football team. They have a video promotion for their women’s tackle football program and this is the link: https://waymakersthemovie.com/
Tim Price is the Raven’s Head Coach. “Straight shooter, no BS,” said Shippentower. “Recognizes the heart and grind when he sees it. This is our first season together, so I’m looking forward to getting to know him more.”
Coach Price said, “Kola is a natural leader and she gets others spirits up with doing workouts. She’s vocal with positive tone and she’s a great team player.”
Oana Dumitrescu is the Raven’s Owner. “She has been one of the sweetest people in this organization,” said Shippentower. “She’s made me feel right at home and seen. She’s made sure my transition from MMA to football has been seamless. She has made me feel confident and empowered coming into something new. She’s definitely built this great hype and energy.”
Oana Dumitrescu said “I am one of four founders and President of the Oregon Ravens, a professional women’s tackle football team. Kola found us last year. Unfortunately it was after our season started so we couldn’t play her on our active roster, but that didn’t keep her from driving four hours each way to practice in Milwaukie, OR.”
“This will be her first season in competition. During practice, Kolas leadership skills show in her resilience, grit, and relentless hunger to learn and set the bar very high for her counterparts to reach. She pushed her position group by leaving everything on the field,” added Dumitrescu.
Kola Shippentower is continuing her journey to compete and to be competitive on the mat and field.
