'Mecca of lacrosse': Six Nations events complement Indigenous Games
'You can feel that energy when you come to our community,' says Six Nations NAIG cultural organizer
When babies are born in Six Nations, they're often given a lacrosse stick.
When people in Six Nations pass on, they are buried with one.
As one of the host communities for the North American Indigenous Games happening this week, Six Nations of the Grand River wouldn't dream of hosting lacrosse matches as purely athletic events.
"It's a way of life," said Dallas Squire, who has been coordinating the Games' cultural side in Six Nations. "You can feel that energy when you come to our community. As good hosts, it's our duty to use that platform to tell our story."
The event kicks off Monday evening at 7 p.m. ET with Six Nations' own opening ceremony, featuring the story of Six Nations told through many artistic mediums — hoop dancing, contemporary dance, puppetry and narration, as well as a couple of traditional performances, and is happening at the Six Nations community hall.
The community at Six Nations is very special. Opening cultural ceremony at the cultural centre continues. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/team88?src=hash">#team88</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/naig2017?src=hash">#naig2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/pZKBl53tBX">pic.twitter.com/pZKBl53tBX</a>
—@ah_lane_ahChoreographer Santee Smith will bring an excerpt of the dance her troupe performed in Sunday night's opening ceremony in Toronto, Squire said.
Tuesday, the lacrosse action kicks off. But more than the athletic side of the sport, Six Nations will honour lacrosse's roots right in the Haudenosaunee Creation story as a game to be played to connect the players to the Creator and for healing.
"Six Nations is the mecca of lacrosse," Squire said.
Some of the cultural events this week are happening behind the arena named for Gaylord Powless, considered the Gordie Howe of lacrosse.
Several sports celebrities with local roots including Johnny Powless, who plays lacrosse professionally for the Georgia Swarm, and Brandon Montour, who plays hockey for the Anaheim Ducks, will be there to show skills and sign autographs.
The events also include a social on Wednesday, a fashion show Thursday and a music festival and Grand River powwow kickoff on Friday.
The cultural events are happening as more than 5,000 athletes from across Turtle Island are competing this week in 14 sporting categories on the traditional lands and homelands of the Huron-Wendat Nation, Metis Nation of Ontario, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Six Nations.
"All of our events are extending past sports," Squire said. "I'm a big believer of utilizing any type of movement as a vehicle to tell your story, be who you are."