Iroquois Nationals are the only team representing an indigenous nation sanctioned to play internationally. (Iroquois Nationals)
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For the first time ever, a major professional lacrosse tournament is being played in the territory of the nation that invented the game.
The World Indoor Lacrosse Championship kicked off September 18, with semifinals under way Friday night at the Onondaga Nation arena,near Syracuse, New York. Considered the World Cup of lacrosse, the tournament is only held once every four years.
Opening ceremony for the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship. (Iroquois Nationals)Often called "the Creator's game" or "the fastest sport on two feet," lacrosse originated among the Haudenosaunee — a group of indigenous nations that include the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora and Onondaga.
Today, people from those nations are still considered among the best players of lacrosse in the world.
Thirteen teams representing nations around the world are competing for gold, including the Iroquois Nationals — the national team of the Haudenosaunee and the only indigenous team in the world that is sanctioned to compete internationally.
The Iroquois Nationals missed the 2010 Lacrosse World Championship, because their Haudenosaunee passports were not recognized. (Submitted by Candace Maracle)
In fact, when the Iroquois Nationals travel, they use Haudenosaunee passports.
In each of the three years the tournament has been held, the gold medal game has featured the Iroquois Nationals against Team Canada. Each time, Canada has taken home gold.
Currently the Nationals is boasting two wins and one loss. Tonight they face off against the U.S. team.
The gold medal game for this tournament takes place on Sunday. An Iroquois Nationals win against Canada would be historic, especially a victory on soil where the game of lacrosse was invented.
