Onondaga Nation
By Tsadeyohdi
The Haudenosaunee National Lacrosse Team, the Iroquois Nationals, is the 2011 Silver Medalist at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in Prague, Czech Republic on May 28, 2011. This is the third consecutive indoor world tournament medal standing for the Iroquois Nationals having also achieved a Silver Medal in the 2007 games in Nova Scotia, and the 2002 games in Toronto.
The Iroquois Nationals were undefeated at the end of the first round by beating Team Ireland 23-3, Czech Republic 25-5, and Team USA 11-10. Due to their outstanding record, the Haudenosaunee Team received a bye in the quarterfinals and defeated the home team, the Czech Republic 19-6 in the semi-final game. This win put the Iroquois Nationals team in the Championship game versus Team Canada. It was a hard fought game, the premier Goalie Mike Thompson was injured during the first half and the Iroquois Nationals rookie, Angus Goodleaf stepped into the goal. The final score of the World Championship Game was Canada 13 Iroquois 6.
The 2011 WILC Tournament was a Win: Win for the Haudenosaunee National Team. It was less than a year ago when another indigenous squad of 23 premiere athletes stood in anticipation at an airport gate for an opportunity to participate in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championship. This year was different for the Iroquois Nationals, the team boarded the airplane traveling as Haudenosaunee Diplomats, and they received a warm welcome by the host country the Czech Republic. The Iroquois Nationals showed the world a high caliber sportsmanship and completed this tournament by returning home with a Silver Medal. Oyane’!
It was an extreme honor felt by all 23 elite lacrosse players to wear the Iroquois Nationals team colors for the 2011 WILC. Gewas Schindler, General Manager said, “Our players have a wealth of professional indoor and field lacrosse experiences along with numerous NCAA Collegiate Lacrosse Championships.” Each of the 23 players have worn the colors of various professional teams but define the epitome of lacrosse is to be a team member of the Iroquois Nationals.
In addition to the Silver Medal the Iroquois Nationals received 4 additional individual awards, All World Team and Most Valuable Transition Player in the World –Cody Jamieson, and All World Team and Most Valuable Defensive Player in the World – Sid Smith, team captain. The 2011 Iroquois Nationals team members are: Cory Bomberry, Brett Bucktooth, Ron Cogan, Brandon Francis, Angus Goodleaf, Dean Hill, Stu Hill, Travis Hill, Blue Hill, Peter Jacobs, Cody Jamieson, Isaiah Kicknosway, Mike Lazore, Tom Montour, Jeff Powless, Andy Secore, Jeff Shattler, Sid Smith, Brandon Swamp, Mike Thompson, Holden Vyse, and Roger Vyse.
The Iroquois Nationals 2011 Management includes, Head Coach Duane Jacobs, Assistant Coaches Mouse Henry and Stu Monture, General Manager Gewas Schindler, Assistant Manager Ansley Jemison and the support staff of Chester Goodleaf and Frank David.
This year, each of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is represented within the 2011 Iroquois Nationals National Team and Staff. The national team also includes two members from the Ojibwa Nation. “We are proud to announce that the National Lacrosse League 2011 MVP is Jeff Shattler; a player named to the 2011 Iroquois Nationals Team,” said Dr. Percy Abrams, Executive Director.
The Iroquois Nationals were pleased to be in Prague, the hosts of the third WILC. Dr. Percy Abrams said, “The Iroquois Nationals Team will take this time as an opportunity to thank the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs and Clan Mothers for their enduring support and primary sponsorship.” “We also like to thank Mr. Curt Styres, Iroquois Nationals alumni, and the Oneida Indian Nation for their sponsorship.”
The Iroquois National would like to acknowledge the many volunteers from the Haudenosaunee communities who assisted the program this year. In closing the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Program extends a “Niawenha” to the People of the Czech Republic for their overwhelming support for the 2011 Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team. Dane’tho.
The Iroquois Nationals was established in 1983 by the Haudenosaunee Grand Council government as the National Lacrosse Team. In 1989 the Federation of International Lacrosse’s parent organization the International Federation of Lacrosse, sanctioned the Haudenosaunee Iroquois Nationals as the 5th member nation with full membership status. The Iroquois Nationals began their first FIL competition in Perth, Australia in 1990. Each year afterward the Iroquois Nationals have participated, prepared, and/or ranked as a world lacrosse competitor in the game which holds such a deep cultural significance for the Haudenosaunee.