The Lesser-Known Native American Origin of Lacrosse
Who first played lacrosse? Explore its Indigenous origins and the Haudenosaunee story behind the sport.
Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
Lacrosse is a uniquely American sport. We spoke with sports reporter Scott Price about his book, "The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse," for our series, Race Matters.
View the transcript of the story.
Questions on Lacrosse’s Origins
- When was Lacrosse first played?
- Who invented the game?
- What did the game of Lacrosse mean to the people who developed it, according to reporter Scott Price?
- Why did Oren Lyons found the "Iroquois Nationals" in 1983?
- Where will Lacrosse first be played as part of the Olympics?
Essential Questions on Lacrosse’s History
- Why do you think the origin of the sport of Lacrosse is important, and why do you think a reporter chose to write a book about it?
- If you could add one sport to the Olympics that is not already there, what would it be?
- Media literacy: Did you know about the origin of Lacrosse? If so, where did you learn about it? If not, why do you think you're learning about it for the first time?
Student Activities: Exploring Haudenosaunee Contributions
This segment refers to the Iroquois tribes, also known as the Haudenosaunee. The Haudenosaunee were a federation of tribes including the Mohawk and Oneida, mostly based in what is now the U.S. northeast and centered in New York State (see map below).
The Haudenosaunee may have developed Lacrosse, but they have also contributed to U.S. past and present in countless other ways, including helping to inspire the U.S. Constitution through the "Great Law of Peace." Learn more and answer questions at Journalism in Action, our site on the ways journalists (and storytellers) have shaped U.S. history.
As a class, research one way Native peoples in your state continue to shape politics and culture in the U.S.
More Resources: Indigenous Peoples and Native Americans
Share My Lesson is your go-to resource for indigenous peoples and Native American lesson plans with this free PreK-12 collection of resources.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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