More Than a Game

The crowd held its breath as Lyle Thompson skillfully dodged his opponent. Thompson lifted his stick, launched the ball, and whoosh ! The ball shot through the air—and into the goal. Cheers erupted from the stadium as Thompson and his teammates hugged in celebration.

This was the thrilling scene at the World Lacrosse Championships in 2018. Thompson and his team, the Iroquois Nationals, would go on to take bronze, ranking them the third-best men’s team in the world.

Today, lacrosse’s popularity is booming. There are five professional leagues in the U.S., and hundreds of thousands of kids play the game. Lacrosse may even be included in the 2028 Olympic Games—the first time in more than a century.

As one of the best teams in the world, the Iroquois Nationals have high hopes of making it to the Olympics. But the Nationals aren’t just a top team. They are also uniquely connected to the Native origins of lacrosse.

The Iroquois Nationals represent the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee (ho-duh-no-SHOW-nee) Confederacy, located mainly in northern New York State and southeastern Canada. Each is a sovereign nation, with its own laws, customs, and languages.

For the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse is a sacred tradition and an important part of their culture.

“I grew up with a stick in my hand,” says Rex Lyons, a former Nationals player and a current spokesperson for the team. “It’s part of my identity.”

The Haudenosaunee have been playing lacrosse for 1,000 years, and it is because of them that the game even exists. The Haudenosaunee say that lacrosse was gifted to them by the Creator, as a way to express themselves creatively, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Playing the game honors the Creator and strengthens communities. When a baby is born, it’s a tradition to place a small lacrosse stick in the crib. When someone passes away, it’s common to bury them with their favorite stick so they may play in the afterlife.

The game is also considered medicine. When someone in the community is in need, a traditional lacrosse game is played. Afterward, the ball is given to the person as a form of healing.

Today, the Nationals have their sights set on the 2028 Olympics. But first, the team needs to compete in next summer’s World Games. The World Games are an international event where sports being considered for future Olympics are showcased. Playing at the World Games would put the Nationals one step closer to their Olympic dream.

But last year, when the World Games announced which teams would be invited to compete, the Nationals weren’t on the list.

In the days after the announcement, questions swirled in the minds of players and fans. How could one of the best teams in the world be excluded? How could the players whose ancestors invented the sport not be invited to compete? What could be done?

^{This article was originally published in the November 2021 issue.}