What is the significance of Mohawk lacrosse sticks in Native American culture. How are traditional wooden lacrosse sticks crafted by master artisans. Who are the notable stick makers preserving this ancient art form.
The Art of Mohawk Lacrosse Stick Making
Mohawk lacrosse sticks represent a rich cultural heritage that spans generations. These traditional wooden implements are not merely sports equipment, but embodiments of Native American craftsmanship and spiritual significance. The creation of these sticks is an art form passed down through families and tribes, with each maker adding their own touch to the time-honored process.
The Mohawk tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, has long been associated with the production of high-quality lacrosse sticks. These sticks are prized for their durability, balance, and connection to the game’s origins. The process of making a Mohawk lacrosse stick is labor-intensive and requires a deep understanding of both the materials and the game itself.
The Importance of Wood Selection
The choice of wood is crucial in crafting a superior lacrosse stick. Hickory, particularly shagbark hickory, is the preferred material due to its strength and flexibility. The wood must be carefully selected, cut, and seasoned before it can be shaped into a stick. This process alone can take several months to ensure the wood has the right properties for bending and carving.
Master Craftsmen: Keepers of the Tradition
Several notable stick makers have become renowned for their expertise in crafting Mohawk lacrosse sticks. These artisans are not just craftsmen, but also guardians of cultural heritage, passing down their knowledge to future generations.
Alf Jacques: A Legacy of Stick Making
Alf Jacques, an Onondaga Turtle Clan member, learned the art of stick making from his father, Lou Jacques. For over 50 years, the Jacques family has been synonymous with high-quality lacrosse sticks at the Onondaga Nation. Alf began learning the craft at the age of twelve and has since become a master in his own right.
What makes Alf Jacques’ sticks unique? His sticks are carved from shagbark, shell, or smooth hickory wood. The process involves cutting, seasoning, steaming, bending, and carving the wood – a time-consuming procedure that results in sticks of exceptional quality. Alf’s expertise extends beyond craftsmanship; as a professional box lacrosse player, he brings a player’s perspective to his work, having held every position in both field and box lacrosse.
The Mitchell Brothers: Mohawk Tradition
The Mitchell Brothers are another group of esteemed stick makers, producing sticks for the Mohawk Tribe. Based in upstate New York and Southern Canada on Cornwall Island, they continue the tradition of Mohawk stick making. Their work can be found through Mohawk International Lacrosse, ensuring that the art form remains accessible to players and collectors alike.
The Process of Crafting a Traditional Lacrosse Stick
Creating a traditional Mohawk lacrosse stick is a meticulous process that combines ancient techniques with individual craftsmanship. Each step is crucial in producing a stick that is both functional and true to its cultural roots.
- Wood selection and harvesting
- Seasoning the wood
- Steaming and bending
- Carving and shaping
- Sanding and finishing
- Webbing the pocket
The webbing of the pocket is particularly important, involving a complex technique using either leather or “gut” to create the netting that holds the ball. This step requires skill and precision to ensure the stick performs well during play.
The Cultural Significance of Lacrosse in Native American Communities
For Native Americans, particularly the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) people, lacrosse is more than just a sport. It is a spiritual practice and a medicine game, believed to have been given to them by the Creator. The game, known as Dey-Hon-Tshi-Gwa’-Ehs in the Onondaga language, is seen as a way to honor the Creator and maintain cultural traditions.
Why is lacrosse considered a medicine game? According to Alf Jacques, the game “keeps the people alert.” It serves as both physical exercise and a means of spiritual and community connection. The creation and use of traditional sticks in these games help to preserve and perpetuate this important cultural practice.
The Legacy of Wes Patterson: Tuscarora Craftsmanship
Wes Patterson, a Tuscarora Native and part of the Iroquois Confederacy, was renowned for his skill in lacrosse stick making. His ability to create a complete lacrosse stick in approximately 20 minutes was legendary, showcasing not only his craftsmanship but also his deep connection to the cultural heritage of the sport.
Patterson’s legacy continues through Tuskewe Krafts, now run by Joe Solotes. This company, based in Western New York, has become the largest manufacturer of wooden lacrosse sticks in North America, ensuring that the traditional craft remains alive and accessible.
The Solotes Method
Joe Solotes, carrying on the tradition of Wes Patterson, crafts sticks from shagbark hickory using time-honored methods. His work demonstrates the ongoing evolution of the craft, balancing traditional techniques with the demands of modern players.
The Future of Traditional Lacrosse Stick Making
As the sport of lacrosse continues to grow in popularity, there is increasing interest in traditional wooden sticks. This renewed attention presents both opportunities and challenges for Native American stick makers.
Preserving the Craft
How are traditional stick makers ensuring the survival of their craft? Many are taking on apprentices, often family members, to pass down their knowledge. Organizations like Tuskewe Krafts are also playing a crucial role in maintaining larger-scale production of wooden sticks, helping to meet demand while preserving traditional methods.
Adapting to Modern Demands
While traditional methods remain at the core of Mohawk lacrosse stick making, some craftsmen are incorporating modern techniques to enhance durability and performance. This adaptation allows traditional sticks to compete with modern materials while maintaining their cultural significance.
Collecting and Caring for Traditional Lacrosse Sticks
For many lacrosse enthusiasts and cultural preservationists, owning a traditional Mohawk lacrosse stick is a way to connect with the game’s rich history. These sticks are not just pieces of sporting equipment but are considered works of art and cultural artifacts.
Tips for Collectors
- Look for sticks made by renowned craftsmen like Alf Jacques or Joe Solotes
- Understand the different types of wood used and their characteristics
- Learn to recognize quality craftsmanship in the carving and webbing
- Consider the stick’s provenance and any accompanying documentation
Proper Care and Maintenance
To ensure the longevity of a traditional lacrosse stick, proper care is essential. This includes:
- Storing the stick in a cool, dry place to prevent warping
- Regularly oiling the wood to maintain its flexibility and prevent cracking
- Carefully maintaining the leather or gut webbing
- Avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity
The Impact of Traditional Sticks on Modern Lacrosse
While most modern lacrosse is played with sticks made from synthetic materials, there is a growing appreciation for the unique qualities of traditional wooden sticks. Many players and coaches believe that using a wooden stick can improve stick skills and ball control.
How do traditional sticks influence modern play? The weight and feel of a wooden stick require players to develop a different set of skills, often resulting in improved overall stick handling. Additionally, the use of traditional sticks in certain settings helps to maintain a connection to the game’s Native American roots.
Educational Initiatives
Some lacrosse programs, particularly those in areas with strong Native American ties, are incorporating traditional stick making into their educational initiatives. These programs not only teach stick-making skills but also provide a deeper understanding of the game’s cultural significance.
By bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern play, these initiatives help ensure that the art of Mohawk lacrosse stick making remains relevant and appreciated in contemporary lacrosse culture.
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
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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.
