Lacrosse: More than a game

The Onondaga Nation has produced some of the world's greatest lacrosse players but there is more

By Richard Zussman

NEDROW, NY - They say they play the game for medicine and that it is the game of the creator.  The young play.  And so do the old.  But the game of Lacrosse is more than a game.  It is part of who the people of the Onondaga Nation are.  Neal Powless is one of the greatest lacrosse players of his generation.  He was named an all world attack man in 2002.  "It is a community, it is our culture, it is our heritage." Powless said.

The Creator's Game

The people of the Onondaga call lacrosse the game made by the creator.  They also say he was a lacrosse player.  Jerome Thompson is one of the bright stars of the Onondaga Nation and was a key part to OCC's championship season last year.  "We play to make the creator happy."  he said "If we play with an open mind and not to hurt people he will be happy."  The game is played by the men of the Nation.  And part of growing up with the game is understanding the important religious role of the sport.  

The Medicine Game

Lacrosse players from the nation believe lacrosse has special healing powers.  When a member of the community is sick the players bring the individual to the lacrosse game.  Tobacco leaves are lit and players play with the traditional wooden stick.  The ritual is said to have healing powers.  Alf Jacques makes the wooden sticks.  He has been doing it for more than 50 years and inherited the job from his father.  The game for Jacques doesn't just have a role in an individuals time on earth but during the afterlife as well.  "When you die you are buried with your stick." he said "Because you are going yo play lacrosse in the after life."

Staying out of trouble

Lacrosse at the Onondaga Nation also acts as a way out.  For Powless lacrosse is way out of life in trouble.  "If you take care of yourself, and watch what you do yo might be able to do something not a lot of people can do."  He said "And at the very least you can get an education." The game of lacrosse has helped the youth of the Onondaga Nation stay out of drugs and alcohol and get a college education.