Historical Society Presents: The Indigenous Roots of Lacrosse

Neal J. Powless of the Onondaga Nation will share a detailed history of the indigenous roots of lacrosse and discuss the game’s significance and importance today. Called Deyhontsigwa’ehs, (they bump hips) also known as the Creator’s Game, it has been with the Haudenosaunee (People of the Longhouse) since time immemorial as a gift from creation. The Haudenosaunee continue to play the game with the same connection between sport and spiritual healing that existed hundreds of years ago.

Powless is an All-American, All-World and professional champion lacrosse player, and the first Indigenous head coach to a European national team, the Dutch National Lacrosse Team. He is an international public speaker, the current Ombudsman for Syracuse University and has a background in counseling and film.