Alf Jacques, Onondaga, Has Made Lacrosse Sticks His Whole Life

Alf spoke about his life, the spiritual nature of lacrosse, and his life work 

at the Strathmore Firebarn Speakers Series.

Finals, 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship: Iroquois Nationals v. Canada

This final, 46th game of the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship took place at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse on Sunday afternoon, September 27, after 10 days of play and 45 games between 11 teams. In the final game the Iroquois Nationals played Canada.

As the playing week progressed, many folks became convinced that the final game would be between these two great teams. Canada has never been beaten in this annual competition ever. The Iroquois Nationals are strong and could conceivably overcome Canada this year.

The crowd in the Carrier Dome was overwhelmingly purple! 

These photos do not show play but the ceremony following the game. It was a precious moment.

Canada won 12-8. No one has anything to feel bad about. It was a spectacular game! US came in third; Israel came in fourth.

Tsha' Thoñ'nhes

 "Where they play ball"

Brand new arena at Onondaga Nation, 

built in time for the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship; 

a truly spectacular and beautiful building.

Crooked Arrows

Much of the cast, directors, producers and others significant in bringing Crooked Arrows to Syracuse for its World Premiere at the OnCenter.

What brings this film to life is the authenticity of native culture including respect for elders, and the authenticity of the lacrosse. 

Onondaga Youth Lacrosse During Senior B Intermission

Not sure if these are Peanuts or Tikes or Pee Wees, but their legs sure are short. 

Everybody's in toward the end of the game.

Face-off at Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa': Onondaga Redhawks Play Rochester Greywolves in Senior B Lacrosse

Onondaga Redhawks and Pinewoods Smoke Play Box Lacrosse

If you want to see some action, go to a box lacrosse game. It's hard and fast, and it is totally local. These men are superior players who have been playing lacrosse since they were babies. We went to the season opener at the Onondaga Nation Arena in Nedrow on Saturday night. 

You are looking at the Onondaga Redhawks playing the Pinewoods Smoke from western NY. The Can-Am Senior B league of Native Americans plays in Central and Western NY and Ontario from now through mid-summer. Visit www.redhawkslax.com for the schedule and much more.

Lacrosse has been played around here for hundreds of years. Local people were playing an even more strenuous game long before the Jesuits arrived. 

For a terrific interview of Oren Lyons by Bill Moyers, visit here:  http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/OL070391.html

This is a great article on the history and culture of Indian lacrosse:  http://www.booknoise.net/johnseabrook/stories/culture/tribes/index.html

SU Lacrosse

Syracuse scores a goal yesterday afternoon. You can see the ball pushing the net above #55. (Blow it up for excellent effect.) It was the last game of the regular season; Syracuse played Georgetown. It was close. On to the Big East. 

LAX

I had never seen a lacrosse game before yesterday. Syracuse University has a winning team. After reading John McPhee's recent article in the New Yorker I wanted very much to go.

Pre-game warmup taught me a lot about different moves and how the ball goes into play. It is a hard, fast game and I enjoyed watching it a lot. I will go again. 

There are several more home games, both men's and women's. 

Later in the spring the season starts at the Onondaga Nation, where they play an even harder and faster game, box lacrosse, about which John McPhee also wrote in the New Yorker a year or two ago.

I recommend both articles as well worth reading even if you never plan to go to a game, though it may make you, too, want to.

Syracuse beat Villanova 20-6.  I had a tremendous experience and a lot of fun trying to capture some of the action.