What is Indigenous North American Stickball. How did it influence modern lacrosse. Why is this ancient sport significant in Native American culture. What are the regional variations of stickball across North America. How does stickball continue to impact Indigenous communities today.
The Origins and Cultural Significance of Indigenous North American Stickball
Indigenous North American Stickball, a precursor to modern lacrosse, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for Native American communities. This ancient sport, celebrated in a recent Google Doodle, has been played for centuries across various regions of North America, each with its unique style and traditions.
Marlena Myles, a citizen of the Mohegan and Muscogee (Creek) nations and member of the Spirit Lake Dakota tribe, created the Google Doodle artwork. Her illustration depicts three different versions of stickball, highlighting the game’s diversity and importance in Indigenous cultures.
The Spiritual and Healing Aspects of Stickball
Stickball is more than just a sport for Indigenous communities. It serves as a spiritual practice and a means of healing. As Myles explains, “The game isn’t just for sport or exercise, but also is considered a healing activity for the mind and it helps create a healthy body and mind.” This holistic approach to the game underscores its importance in Native American traditions.
Regional Variations of Indigenous Stickball
Across North America, different Indigenous communities developed their own unique versions of stickball. These variations are reflected in the diverse styles of sticks used and the rules governing play.
Northeastern Stickball
The Northeastern version of stickball, played by peoples such as the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot, most closely resembles modern field lacrosse. The sticks used in this region traditionally had a triangular pocket extending two-thirds the length of the stick.
Southeastern Stickball
In the Southeast, tribes like the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Creek used two small lacrosse sticks, one in each hand. These sticks were typically carved from hickory and featured unique designs. For instance, Cherokee sticks often included jagged lines representing lightning, intended to symbolize swiftness.
Great Lakes Stickball
The peoples of the Great Lakes region, including the Ojibwe, Menominee, and Potawatomi, played with a single three-foot stick featuring a round head about four inches in diameter. Players often crafted their own sticks from white ash, decorating them with personal symbols.
The Epic Scale of Traditional Stickball Games
Historical accounts of Indigenous stickball games paint a picture of truly massive events. How large could these games become? Legends tell of teams composed of 100 to 1,000 players, with goals set between 500 yards to a mile apart. These epic contests could last for days, highlighting the endurance and dedication of the players.
The Evolution from Stickball to Modern Lacrosse
The transition from traditional stickball to modern lacrosse involved significant changes in equipment and rules. How did this evolution occur? As the sport spread beyond Indigenous communities, it was adapted and standardized, leading to the creation of field lacrosse as we know it today. However, many elements of the original game, including the spiritual and communal aspects, continue to influence modern lacrosse.
The Influence of Northeastern Stickball
Of all the regional variations, the Northeastern version of stickball had the most significant impact on modern lacrosse. The stick design and playing style of the Haudenosaunee people formed the foundation for the sport that would eventually become popular worldwide.
The Cultural Preservation Role of Stickball
In today’s world, stickball continues to play a crucial role in preserving Indigenous cultures and traditions. How does this ancient sport contribute to cultural continuity? By passing down the game from generation to generation, Indigenous communities maintain a living link to their ancestors and their traditional ways of life.
Stickball as a Community Event
Myles highlights the communal aspect of stickball in her own experience: “I have many friends who make their own sticks and play the game as a community event here in Minnesota, the homeland of the Dakota people.” This community involvement underscores the sport’s role in strengthening social bonds and cultural identity.
The Ceremonial Aspects of Stickball
Stickball is not just a game but also a ceremonial practice for many Indigenous communities. What rituals are associated with stickball? One example depicted in Myles’ Google Doodle is the practice of sage smudging before a game. This ritual, involving the burning of sage for purification, demonstrates the spiritual significance of the sport.
The Creator’s Game
Many Indigenous cultures view stickball as a gift from the Creator. As Myles states, “It’s a healing game given to us by the Creator.” This belief elevates the game beyond mere sport, imbuing it with spiritual and cultural importance.
The Contemporary Relevance of Stickball
Despite its ancient origins, stickball remains relevant in contemporary Indigenous communities. How does this traditional sport continue to impact Native American life today? Stickball serves as a means of cultural expression, physical and mental health promotion, and community building.
Stickball in Education
Many Indigenous communities are incorporating stickball into educational programs. By teaching young people about the game, its history, and its cultural significance, these programs help preserve traditional knowledge and foster a sense of cultural pride.
Stickball and Health
The physical and mental health benefits of stickball are increasingly recognized. As a form of exercise that also promotes mental well-being, stickball offers a culturally relevant approach to health and wellness in Indigenous communities.
The Artistic Representation of Stickball
Marlena Myles’ Google Doodle is just one example of how stickball has been represented in art. How do artistic depictions of stickball contribute to cultural awareness? By showcasing the game in visual media, artists like Myles help educate a wider audience about Indigenous cultures and traditions.
Symbolism in Stickball Art
The artwork associated with stickball often incorporates significant cultural symbols. For example, the lightning design on Cherokee sticks symbolizes swiftness, while personal symbols on Great Lakes sticks reflect individual identity. These artistic elements add layers of meaning to the game and its equipment.
Indigenous North American Stickball represents far more than a simple precursor to modern lacrosse. It embodies centuries of cultural tradition, spiritual practice, and community building. From the epic games of the past to its continued practice today, stickball remains a vital part of Indigenous heritage. As we appreciate the artistry of Marlena Myles’ Google Doodle and learn about the diverse regional variations of the game, we gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultural tapestry of Native American communities across North America. The enduring legacy of stickball serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating Indigenous traditions in our modern world.
Google Doodle Celebrates Indigenous North American Stickball
Google Doodle Celebrates Indigenous North American Stickball | USA Lacrosse Magazine
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GOOGLE DOODLE BY MARLENA MYLES
Google Doodle Celebrates Indigenous North American Stickball
Tue Nov 1 2022 | Matt DaSilva | Fuel
USA Lacrosse
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, today’s Google Doodle celebrates Indigenous North American Stickball, a predecessor of modern-day lacrosse that originated with Indigenous peoples of the Southeast.
Google commissioned artist Marlena Myles for the Doodle. A citizen of the Mohegan and Muscogee (Creek) nations and member of the Spirit Lake Dakota tribe, Myles depicts three different versions of stickball in her art, including the ceremonial pregame practice of sage smudging in the “G” of the customized Google logo that will greet billions of visitors to the world’s most popular website and search engine.
“I have many friends who make their own sticks and play the game as a community event here in Minnesota, the homeland of the Dakota people,” Myles said in an interview published by Google. “I enjoy seeing them pass the tradition onto the next generations too. The game isn’t just for sport or exercise, but also is considered a healing activity for the mind and it helps create a healthy body and mind. I believe those are very important in today’s world just as it was important for my ancestors who played stickball.”
“I was very excited to create something fun, meaningful and that can teach many people about an ancient sport of Native people which is still practiced today in both the traditional version using traditional sticks and the adapted version known to many as lacrosse,” she added. “I also could learn more about the different styles played in different regions, so it was a learning experience for me as well.”
“It’s a healing game given to us by the Creator.
”
Historically, Native American communities throughout North America played different variations of lacrosse. Three primary styles came from the Northeast, Southeast and Great Lakes regions. Although rules and equipment differed, legend tell of teams composed of 100 to 1,000 players, goals set between 500 yards to a mile apart and contests that might last for days.
Myles features three different styles of sticks in her artwork based on versions of stickball played by the Indigenous peoples of those regions. There’s the circular hoop of Great Lakes tradition, the egg-like basket used by the Southeastern tribes who often played with two sticks and the oblong style fashioned by the Indigenous people of the Northeast that most closely resembles what lacrosse sticks look like today.
“I was inspired by interviews of players and how the game is meaningful to them in their lives,” Myles said.
“I made sure to include the messaging and imagery that the game has a ceremonial aspect to it, it’s a healing game given to us by the Creator.”
ILLUSTRATION BY VINCENT RICASIO/THE ART OF LAX
The evolution of lacrosse sticks over time.
NORTHEAST
Peoples include the Haudenosaunee (also known as the Iroquois or People of the Longhouse, including Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora), Passamaquoddy, Penobscot and other Native nations. The Haudenosaunee version of the game is the closest to field lacrosse played today. Originally, Iroquois sticks had a triangular pocket two-thirds the length of the stick.
SOUTHEAST
Peoples include the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, Yuchi and other Native nations. Players used two small lacrosse sticks — one in each hand — typically carved from hickory and uniquely designed by Native communities. Cherokee stick engravings included jagged lines representing lightning, intended to impart swiftness.
GREAT LAKES
Peoples include the Ojibwe, Menominee, Potawatomi, Sauk, Fox, Miami, Winnebago, Santee Dakota and other Native nations. The peoples of the Great Lakes played with a single three-foot stick featuring a round head about four inches in diameter. Stories are told that each player made his own stick from white ash, decorated with symbols of personal meaning.
Copyright © USA Lacrosse Magazine
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