By Andrea Chevalier / Rochester Knighthawks
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The game of lacrosse has forever been a part of Native American’s story of creation. The game was known as the Medicine Game, which Native Americans used to connect with The Creator.
In early competition, there were sometimes over 100 players in a match that could last for days. Before and after a game, a religious ceremony was held because of the intense spiritual meaning that the game had to the Native people. This spirituality is something that still bares meaning to the Native players who play lacrosse today.
“It was originally a game with no pads, out at the longhouse,” said Knighthawks forward Cody Jamieson. “It was fast-paced and rough, and it was going to scare all the sickness away or heal whoever it was called for.”
In its earliest forms, there were different ways the game could be played, and depending on the nation that was playing the game; those variations showed. Jamieson’s nation, the Iroquois, play the traditional game of lacrosse. It was a game of speed and aggressiveness which would scare the sickness away.
The game was passed down from generation to generation, keeping the true meaning of it alive. That meaning continues to be passed down to this day. The National Lacrosse League has deep roots in terms of Native American players who aim to spread their love and passion for the game along with its rich history.
On Feb. 2, the Rochester Knighthawks hosted the Georgia Swarm on Origins of Lacrosse Night. The two teams are bolstered by some of the most well-known Native talent, all of whom were under one roof, playing on the same turf. The night is one way Rochester helps to educate its fans on the history of lacrosse.
“It’s paying tribute to the roots of lacrosse and the origins of the game,” Jamieson said. “This franchise has a rich history of great [Native] players and people coming through the program.”
Between players, coaches and staff, the Knighthawks are comprised of 16 people of Native American descent. Goaltenders Angus Goodleaf (Kahnawake) and Warren Hill (Six Nations) are Mohawk Wolf Clan and Jamieson (Six Nations) is Mohawk Turtle Clan. Oran Horn is from Kahnawake and Kyle Jackson is Aamjiwnaang First Nation. Leland Powless is from Onondaga Nation and Sid Smith is from Six Nations (Cayuga Wolf Clan). Cody Teichroeb is from Westbank First Nation in British Columbia.
Owner and General Manager Curt Styres, President of Lacrosse Operations Jake Henhawk, Alternate Governor Gewas Schindler, Equipment Manager Dave Sowden, Western Scout Kevin Hill, Director of Player Development Duane Jacobs, and assistant coaches Jason Johnson and Marshall Abrams all have Native roots.
On the Swarm team, seven players represented the Native people: Lyle Thompson, Miles Thompson, Brendan Bomberry, Jerome Thompson, Zed Williams, Randy Staats and LeRoy Halftone.
Throughout the night, the arena was full of a variety of Native traditions in an effort to teach the fans about where the game of lacrosse began and the meaning it has in Native American culture. Fans were introduced to Fancy Dancers, hoop dancers and other Native artists, and were able to experience a wooden stick mini-game at halftime.
Jamieson, who is in his ninth season in the NLL, grew up on the traditional wood stick game. In fact, he didn’t play with a modern stick until he was a teenager.
“I was 15 when I got my first plastic stick,” Jamieson said. “My dad wouldn’t buy me one, so my grandpa bought me one for my birthday and I never looked back.”