Lacrosse: National Team Sport
Sketch by Robert Upham and Ryan Bennie
Page layout by, Chris Larson on behalf of the Lake County Youth Guidance Home (Ronan, Montana)
Resolution PHX-96-073 Title: Lacrosse: The National American Indian Team Sport
(This Resolution was sponsored by Ernie Stevens, Vice Pres. NCAI, and the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)
Whereas, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the devine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for our selves and our descendants rights secured under the Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and alll other rights...to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution, and
Whereas, lacrosse is presently played by the Iroquois National Teams at the championship level in international, professional, collegiate, high school and amateur competitions. It is imperitive that we as indigenous peoples actively promote a game in which our native brothers are exhibiting strength, and
Whereas, lacrosse is a physical form of communitcating and building a foundation for our societies. Just as words are spoken from our mouth and are heard from another's ear, so is a ball thrown from one stick and caught by another stick. Non-verbal communication is very important in American Indian traditions. Lacrosse can be used as a means of uniting under a common form of communication; and
Whereas, the involvement of Indian Lacrosse with young people may ga a long way towards solving the problems faced by Indians in dominant culture schools, the lack of respect for Native culture and history, coupled with racism and an expectation of failure; and
Whereas, through the awareness generated by recognizing Lacrosse as the official National American Indian team sport, other American Indian games and athletic contributions will be brought to the forefront serving as a catalyst for social change for our youth in reservation communities and off reservation communities, instilling traditional values and pride, while validating our common struggles.
NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the National Congress of American Indians supports team sports played in high schools and colleges, and the lacrosse be adopted as the National team sport by NCAI and its' member tribes, and other institutions shall be encouraged to promote this Indigenous sport for social change.
Certification
The foregoing resolution was adopted at the 1996 Annual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians, held at the Phoenix Civic Plaza in Phoenix Arizona, on October 20-25, 1996 with a quorum present.
signed, __________________
W. Ron Allen, President
Blue_Pony_Lacrosse
Name:
Robert Upham
Email:
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