Alf Jacques, Stick Maker of the Iroquois
Traditional Sticks
Since the gift of the Creator’s game, Dey-Hon-Tshi-Gwa’-Ehs or Lacrosse, the Onondagas and the Haudenosaunee have long enjoyed playing this intense physical and intellectual game. But like most things, there are special abilities and talents that individuals possess that are needed even before the game can begin. One of those individuals is the Stick Maker. For over 50 years at the Onondaga Nation, that title has been held by Louis or Alfred Jacques. Coach Flynn has an Alf Jacques stick.
Alf and Bob
Alf Jacques [Onondaga Turtle Clan] is both lacrosse stick carver and lacrosse player. Alf learned the traditional art of lacrosse stick making from his father, the late master lacrosse carver, Lou Jacques, who taught Alf at age twelve to carve and web the lacrosse sticks. Alf himself is a professional box lacrosse player who is the only player to have held every position in field and box lacrosse. Alf carves his sticks from shagbark, shell or smooth hickory wood. The complicated procedure of cutting, seasoning, steaming, bending and carving from hickory wood is a time-consuming process and the netting involves a webbing technique with either leather or “gut.” Alf explains that for Native Americans, lacrosse is both play and religious tradition because as a medicine game, it “keeps the people alert.”
Alf images 2-3
Stick maker Alf Jacques
Traditional lacrosse stick maker Alf Jacques talks about the process of making wooden sticks.
Click here for Video posted on InsideLacrosse.com
http://video.insidelacrosse.com/video/view/9210665/stick-maker-alf-jacques
The Mitchell Brothers produce the sticks for the Mohawk Tribe. They are located in upstate New York and Southern Canada on Cornwall Island. Mohawk International Lacrosse does have a website:
www.mohawkintlacrosse.com
Mohawk Intl Lacrosse
Wes Patterson, as depicted in this print, was a Tuscorora Native, which is part of the Iroquois Confederacy. He was a Native North American who knew as much about the cultural heritage of our National Summer Sport of lacrosse as any person in Canada. Wes Patterson was a very talented aboriginal who could make a complete lacrosse stick in approximately 20 minutes as you watched. He’d talk of the days as a young boy playing lacrosse and how you were not able to play on the team if you did not first select, cut your hickory limb, steam it, bend it, shape it, cut the leather strips and make the net.
Coach Sullivan has a Wes Patterson stick.
Wes Patterson
Wes has passed away, however sticks are still available from Tuskewe Krafts (716-297-1821), made now by Joe Solotes.
This company in Western New York is the largest manufacturer of wooden lacrosse sticks in North America.
Watch how stick maker Joe Solotes crafts a stick from shagbark hickory:
Wes 2
Wes 3
Lacrosse – Page 1 – Tuscarora WoodWorks
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Introducing our newest addition to the line of lacrosse-inspired apparel – our purple Haudenosaunee Lacrosse Hoodie. Made with a soft and durable 50/50 cotton/polyester fabric, this hoodie is the perfect blend of comfort and style.
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These 24″ sticks make EXCELLENT gifts for the lacrosse player in your life.
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15 oz. “They Bumb Hips” Lacrosse Mug
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Introducing our 15 oz ceramic mug, the “They Bump Hips” Lacrosse Mug! Perfect for any lacrosse player or fan, this mug is designed to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the sport.
In fact, “Ddehoñtjihgwa’és” is what the Onondaga…
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Lacrosse 8″ Aluminum Wall Clock
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Traditional Wooden Lacrosse sticks provide a backdrop for the Hiawatha Belt overlay. Celebrate the origins of the game of Lacrosse with this unique piece you will only find here at Tuscarora WoodWorks! WIDTH: 5″ HEIGHT: 3.75″
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Men’s Trifold Rustic Lacrosse Wallet
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90,000 lacrosse or hockey. What would you choose?
It is unnecessary to talk about the popularity of hockey. There are a lot of fans of both ice hockey and field hockey in the world. But if you like unusual sports, then take an interest in lacrosse.
Lacrosse is a contact sport played between two teams using a small rubber ball and a stick with a long handle called a stick.
The unusual name of the game literally translates as
“Bishop’s Curved Baton”. Apparently, because the stick for the game really resembles the staff of one of the highest Catholic dignitaries.
The essence of the game comes down to the fact that two teams of 10 people each try to score a small ball into the opponent’s goal using an unusual stick that looks like a net. Lacrosse is similar to bandy, only
the ball moves through the air.
Historians, as always, do not agree on the origin of lacrosse. According to one version, this is France of the 14th century, according to another, Canada of the 15th century, the most logical version is that the French settlers brought the game to Canada, where it was developed and is still popular.
The Indians of Canada called the game boggatawaya.
This is evidenced by the legends of the Indian tribes of that time,
as well as the data of archaeological excavations. Initially, the game was part of the religious ritual and military training of young warriors, and only later acquired a competitive character.
In the early days of lacrosse, the goalposts were half a mile apart and there were no side lines. They played tribe against tribe, the game could last from two to three days with breaks between sunset and sunrise. The players used sticks three to four feet long and balls made of wood and buckskin. Lacrosse had a spiritual meaning to the Indians. It was a mesmerizing sight.
Today’s lacrosse places very high demands on the participants, but it is still loved for its dynamism and excitement.
The modern player needs a lot of endurance, he must be able to run like a sprinter and master the long stick-racquet perfectly. A grass lacrosse field is similar to a football field, only longer and slightly narrower. The goal, which has a triangular shape, is not installed on the front lines, but almost twenty meters in front of them, which allows you to play outside the goal.
The weight of a lacrosse ball, as defined by modern rules, is 142 grams and the circumference is 20cm. In the old days, balls for the game were made from a sea fungus, but now they use a rubber sponge.
Players’ clubs look like a stick with a triangular blade at the end, with a net stretched over it, forming a shallow pocket.
It is noteworthy that the clubs of the players are different, it depends on the role of the player in the team.
Attackers have small paddles on their clubs, allowing them to hit the ball hard and sharply. The defenders have more shoulder blades so that they can reflect the blows of the attackers. The goalkeeper has the largest stick with the largest spatula – he catches the balls aimed at the goal with it.
The goal is kicked with a racquet stick, but you can hit the ball with your foot, but touching with your hands is strictly prohibited.
Power martial arts are allowed in the game, but the use of techniques is strictly regulated by the rules:
- when tackling the ball, you can hit the opponent’s stick with a stick
- you can’t hold the club with your hand or foot
- you can push the opponent with your shoulder or hip
- you can block an opponent who owns ball
- power moves are used only when the opponent dribbles or receives the ball
- it is strictly forbidden to attack an opponent from behind, as well as to use hands
- it is forbidden to push an opponent if he is already fighting with another player
- tripping, kicking and punching are prohibited
wrestling involves injury.