Students weave Indigenous culture through lacrosse sticks and storytelling
Sept. 18, 2024
At Georgian, putting Indigenization into action is a priority, and we recognize reconciliation is the collective and individual responsibility of all of us – throughout the month of September and all year long. As the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation approaches on Sept. 30, the college is hosting several events and activities and sharing ways to reflect. Recently, Georgian’s Muskoka Campus hosted 30 Grade 7 and 8 students from Trillium Lakelands District School Board in their shop space where they learned a unique conversation starter on Indigenous history and culture.
“Sticks & Stories” gave students the opportunity to get hands on and build their own lacrosse sticks while learning about the game and its connection to Indigenous people. Jim Calder, an ex-Canadian national field lacrosse team player and author; and Joe Valliere, Ojibwe lacrosse stick maker from Chippewas of Rama First Nation, led the activity and the history lesson.
Valliere taught himself how to make lacrosse sticks from white ash wood, creating something similar to what his people would have used to play. Students were given a piece of wood, learned how to sand it and string the pockets, and now have something handmade to use in a game or to hang up with pride.
“Lacrosse is the only game in the world that’s spiritual at its essence,” Calder says. “Now that we’re focusing on Truth and Reconciliation, I find this a great way to teach young people about culture and history, and it’s a great way to start the conversation.”
The sticks were tested, knowledge was passed down, and stories were shared about the origins of lacrosse and how it’s been a key part of bringing people together across Turtle Island.
“This game is engrained in my life,” Valliere says. “Unless we talk about Indigenous history, unless we teach it, it gets lost, and lost is not where I want this game. I’ll do everything I can to make sure it continues.”