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Lacrosse: Reclaiming the Creator’s game

Why lacrosse is much more than just a game for Native Americans and why they want to reclaim it.

Why are Native Americans striving to ‘reclaim’ the game of lacrosse?

Lacrosse may have the reputation as a white elitist sport, played in private schools. In fact, it was originally a Native American game, practiced across North America before European colonisers arrived.

As white settlers pushed westwards, taking land and resources, they also took lacrosse as their own. They stopped Native Americans from playing it, alongside prohibiting other spiritual and cultural practices.

But now a Native American grassroots movement is aiming to 'reclaim' what they call "the Creator's game". In doing so they want to promote recognition for their peoples and nations.

Rhodri Davies travels to Minnesota, in the American Midwest, to talk to Native Americans about how lacrosse is integral to their identity.

Producer: John Murphy
Editor: Penny Murphy
Studio Manager: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Iona Hammond and Gemma Ashman

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Mon 29 Aug 2022 20:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 25 Aug 2022 11:00
  • Mon 29 Aug 2022 20:30

Podcast