Proud to Play

Dakota LaFloe of Minnesota can’t get enough of lacrosse. The 12-year-old midfielder races up and down the field with his stick. He works hard to help his team score goals.

“I love everything about it,” Dakota says.

Dakota is a member of the Ojibwe (oh-JIB-way) Native American tribe. For him, lacrosse is more than a game. It’s a tradition. That’s because Native Americans created lacrosse hundreds of years ago. Many Native players say they’re proud to keep the tradition alive—and to see the game grow.

Dakota LaFloe of Minnesota can’t get enough of lacrosse. The 12-year-old midfielder races up and down the field with his stick. He works hard to help his team score goals.

“I love everything about it,” Dakota says.

Dakota is a member of the Ojibwe (oh-JIB-way) Native American tribe. For him, lacrosse is more than a game. It’s a tradition. That’s because Native Americans created lacrosse hundreds of years ago. Many Native players say they’re proud to keep the tradition alive—and to see the game grow.

Lacrosse is one of North America’s oldest sports. It was created by tribes in what is now the United States and Canada. A group of tribes called the Iroquois (IHR-uh-kwoy) played an early version of the game on which today’s game is based.

Like players today, tribes back then used sticks with nets on the ends to toss and catch balls. The balls were made of wood or deerskin and fur. And the games were bigger. Hundreds of players could take part. A game could last for days!

Tribes played some games to settle differences or to prepare for war. Other games were played as ceremonies meant to heal sick tribe members. The game still has deep meaning for many Native Americans.

Lacrosse is one of North America’s oldest sports. It was created by tribes in what is now the United States and Canada. A group of tribes called the Iroquois (IHR-uh-kwoy) played a form of the game on which today’s game is based.

Like players today, players back then carried sticks with nets on the ends. They used the sticks to toss and catch balls. The balls were made of wood or deerskin and fur. And the games were bigger. Hundreds of players could take part. A game could last for days!

Tribes played some games to settle differences or to prepare for war. Other games were played as ceremonies to try to heal sick tribe members. The game still has deep meaning for many Native Americans.