Oñgwaweñna’: Onondaga Communications
Onondaga Nation
May 25, 2010
The Iroquois Nationals Board of Directors selected Dr. Percy Abrams the Executive Director of the Iroquois Nationals. Dr. Abrams imparts a strong understanding of the Haudenosaunee culture, the history of the game, and the future of the sport. He provides a distinct vision as the Executive Director. His official acceptance statement is:
“My Mission, first and foremost, is to field a competitive Iroquois Nationals team to the 2010 World Games in Manchester, England. The Iroquois Nationals Board of Directors, Management, Coaches and Players work continuously toward this competitive effort and I am here to help them attain that goal.
During my tenure as a Board Member, I understood that the focal point to any organization begins with the communicative strength of its leadership. It is clear that a definitive leader enables a program to move ahead. To that end, I am volunteering my time and efforts to fulfill the duties of Executive Director of the Iroquois Nationals and will do my best to lead this organization into the future.
The Iroquois Nationals are much more than just the team that represents the Haudenosaunee people in local, regional, national, and international tournaments. The foundation of the Iroquois Nationals’ is based in our community developmental programs; I would like to coordinate services such as; sport camps, educational workshops, and community services to provide the Haudenosaunee youth with as many opportunities as possible. This endeavor will take more than one person; the time has come for former Iroquois Nationals players to step forward, to commit their time and efforts toward the youth lacrosse programs.
The Iroquois Nationals must move toward becoming a membership organization that will provide the leadership and support that can take this team to its destiny of Gold Medals in international competition. I believe this will be accomplished from within our own membership, as a duty, to sustain our teams and players in all matters: financial, technical, physical, and spiritual.
Finally, I believe it is important for the Iroquois Nationals to maintain our place in the world as the Originators of the Game of Dehontshihgwa’es – “They bump hips.” As Haudenosaunee people, we can be proud to say that Lacrosse is our gift to the world and it is of utmost importance that we show the world how the game should be played. Through excellence, sportsmanship, perseverance, and camaraderie, the Iroquois Nationals can show the world what Lacrosse is truly all about.
Da: ne’toh.”
The Board of the Directors’ is fully confident that his leadership will carry and continue the tradition of lacrosse in behalf of the entire Haudenosaunee Confederacy as we enter a new era of international diplomacy and sportsmanship. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Percy Abrams on his new appointment to service as the Executive Director of Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse.
Da: ne’toh,
Iroquois Nationals Board of Directors: Mr. Oren Lyons, Ms. Tonya Gonella Frichner, Ms. Barbara Barnes, Mr. Frank David, Ms. Denise Waterman, Mr. Leroy Hill, Mr. Gary Sundown, Mr. Dale Henry, Mr. Shannon Booth, Mr. Freeman Bucktooth, and Mr. Cam Bomberry.
Percy Abrams, Haihwa’es, is an Onondaga Eel Clan member and his wife Kim Clause Abrams is of the Tuscarora Turtle Clan. Percy has three children, Corinne, Pierce, and Clark. His children Corinne and Pierce attend Syracuse University and his son Clark is a student at Niagara Wheatfield High School. All are avid Lacrosse players.
Percy is the son of Wayne and Virginia Abrams of Martin’s Lane, Onondaga Nation. He grew up at the Onondaga Nation along with his four brothers; Vernon, Marshall, Michael and the late Morris Abrams. Percy Abrams earned his PH.D. and B.A. degrees in Linguistics from the SUNY at Buffalo. He also graduated from LaFayette High School and is an alumnus of the Onondaga Nation School.