By Kimberly Hayes

Bringing international recognition to the Native American heritage of Lacrosse, the Iroquois Nationals beat Team England 19-10 to capture the Bronze Medal at the 2008 World Under 19 Lacrosse Championship, held in Coquitlam, B.C., Canada, in July.

The Iroquois are the originators of the modern-day game of lacrosse. The Nationals are the only Native American team sanctioned to compete in an international sports competition and are members of the International Lacrosse Federation.

The Iroquois, also known as the Six Nations, represent Native people originally occupying New York, southern Quebec and Ontario, Canada. The team incorporates tribal traditions into the sport: a spiritual advisor blesses each player before the games, traditional dances are performed and the Iroquois national anthem plays when the athletes march onto the field.

The team is primarily made up of Iroquois tribal members, however, three spots are open to Native players from other tribes. One of those slots went to Forrest Cox, who is Prairie Band Potawatomi and just graduated from West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Va.

“It was great to represent all indigenous people and all Indian kids playing the Creator’s game,” Cox said.

Tryouts and trial competitions started in September 2007. Tryouts began with 300 people, which eventually were whittled down to 23 players and three alternates. The schedule can be demanding Cox said, noting that he traveled many weekends to play and practice and took homework on the road.

Games held prior to the World Championship proved the Nationals’ talent and surprised many opponents not used to the Native style. “We were playing the top prep schools in Washington, D.C. They didn’t know the Indian style of play. It is totally different. The offense is completely different,” Cox said. They won the tournament against the prep schools by a landslide.

At the tournament, boys aged 15 to 19 come together not only to play but also to share culture, Cox said. The different tribal members are able to learn from each other as well as from the international players.

During the Nationals’ journey, they beat numerous teams, including England, Australia and Scotland. “A lot of people thought that we could get gold, but it just slipped through our fingers,” Cox said. However, the team is optimistic that their time is coming soon. The experience also motivates most players to continue with the game.

Since the creation of the team in 1983, more than 95 percent of the players have gone on to play collegiate or professional lacrosse, according to the team. Cox hopes to play Lacrosse in college and be involved in the world tournament in the future.

It had always been Cox’s dream to play on an all-Native team, his mother, Nedra Darling, said. Not only did the dream come true, but also they were able show the world what young Native athletes are capable of accomplishing.

“This is a great way for these young men to compete with their peers in the world and learn and have exchanges,” Darling said. “They are true ambassadors for Indian Country. So many attendees were complimentary of our boys, both their attitudes and playing. They made me proud, not only as a Mom, but as an Indian person.”

“The Creator gave us this game, and it is great to share that with the world. The games are making people more aware internationally that Lacrosse has indigenous roots,” Darling said. The competition runs in cycles with adults and youth teams. The next youth championship will be held in four years in Manchester, England.