Lacrosse aka ‘Stickball’

Name: Alayna Scramstad (Metis Nation of Saskatchewan- Treaty 6 Territory )
Grade: 3+

Subject Areas: Physical Health Education
Artefact /Place/ Skill: Lacrosse aka ‘Stickball’

Making Space

How might teachers prepare their students to work with this content? What background knowledge might be required?

Pre-learning:

  • Has anyone played lacrosse?
  • Watched lacrosse?
  • Know the rules?
  • What gear do you need?
  • How do you prepare your body before you play a sport? (nutrition, hydration, fitness)
  • How do sports help create healthy habits, body and mind?

Background information teachers should know before the lesson:

  • Origins of Lacrosse- Who created it? Where? When?
  • Know the cultural and spiritual significance of lacrosse to Indigenous peoples
  • Compare then vs now equipment
  • Difference between box vs field lacrosse
  • Rules of the game
  • It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the surrounding teams in your area. Maybe before the lesson network with a team you would like to watch play. Great opportunity to set up a field trip and or get a lesson from the experts!

https://lacrossepack.com/how-to-play-lacrosse-an-illustrated-beginners-guide/

  • Here is a link for a lacrosse beginners guide where you can find all the information needed about the sport including rules, lingo and how to play.

Practice Humility

How might non-Indigenous teachers sensitively work with this subject? What might they need to consider in their own positionality?

  • Teachers may want to familiarize their understanding of the cultural significance lacrosse has in Indigenous culture.
    • How the game is considered a gift from the Creator, how it was seen as medicine and how it was considered a sport that “toughened up young warriors” for war.

Acknowledge Sources

What can teachers do to find good supporting resources? How should they be cited, especially when it comes to Indigenous knowledges?

https://worldlacrosse.sport/about-world-lacrosse/origin-history/

  • This website offers information on the origins and history of Lacrosse (Non-Indigenous source)

https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/article/sport

  • This resource touches on the spiritual importance of the game to Indigenous peoples. (Indigenous source)

https://www.lacrosse.ca/content/History-of-Lacrosse

  • This link touches on lacrosses history in Canada, it’s symbolism and more. (Indigenous source)
    • “Originally, Lacrosse, when played only by the Native people, had a spiritual significance in the Indian’s way of life. Lacrosse was a game to be played for their Creator, for the Native people to show their gratitude to the Great Spirit for living a full life, one that allowed them to live in harmony with nature and at peace with themselves”
    • “The sport of Lacrosse is an intrinsic part of Canadian culture, tradition and heritage. The recognition of Lacrosse as the National Game for Canada in 1859 is a positive statement of the contributions of the sport to this nation’s development. The passing of Bill C-212 by the Government of Canada attests to the enduring nature of the Sport of Lacrosse – Canada’s oldest sport.

And, we owe it all to the people of the First Nations – and the Creator.”

*** As you can see noted above, I labeled the sources as either a non-Indigenous source or an Indigenous source. If you are planning on engaging in this lesson, I would recommend accessing the Indigenous sources first as this is where you are going to get the best and most accurate information. As always, please make sure you give credit to the rightful owner when using.***

BC Curriculum Connections

How does it relate to BC Curriculum?

Click on the subject area below to expand the section.

Physical and Health Education

Curricular Competencies:

Physical Literacy

  • Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
  • Apply methods of monitoring exertion levels in physical activity
  • Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
  • Identify and explain factors that contribute to positive experiences in different physical activities

Mental Wellbeing

  • Describe factors that influence mental well-being and self-identity

Content:

  • ways to monitor physical exertion levels
  • different types of physical activities, including individual and dual activities, rhythmic activities, and games
  • practices that promote health and well-being, including those relating to physical activity, sleep, and illness prevention
  • nutrition and hydration choices to support different activities and overall health

Curricular Competencies:

Physical Literacy

  • Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
  • Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
  • Apply methods of monitoring exertion levels in physical activity
  • Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities

Healthy and active living

  • Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
  • Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to participation in preferred types of physical activity at school, at home, and in the community
  • Explain the relationship of healthy eating to overall health and well-being
  • Identify and describe factors that influence healthy choices
  • Identify and apply strategies for pursuing personal healthy-living goals

Social and community health

  • Describe and assess strategies for responding to discrimination, stereotyping, and bullying

Mental wellbeing

  • Describe factors that positively influence mental well-being and self-identity
  • Describe and assess strategies for promoting mental well-being

Social Studies 

Curricular Competencies:

  • Sequence objects, images, or events, and determine continuities and changes between different time periods or places

Content:

  • The impact of colonization on First Peoples societies in British Columbia and Canada
  • The history of the local community and of local First Peoples communities

First People's Principles of Learning

Which First People's Principles of Learning apply?

  • Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
  • Learning recognizes the role of Indigenous knowledge.
  • Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
  • Learning requires exploration of one‘s identity.

Inviting Community

What is one way that teachers could work with community members for this project?

  • It would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the surrounding teams in your area. Maybe before the lesson network with a team you would like to watch play. Great opportunity to set up a field trip and or get a lesson from the experts!

Indigenous Perspectives

  • http://www.bclacrosse.com/spirit-of-lacrosse-program.php
    • Spirit of Lacrosse- Indigenous Lacrosse Program
      • If you scroll down on this link you can find a section labelled: School Visits
        • The Indigenous Lacrosse Program has school visits during PE or Social Studies classes, where they provide a brief history of the Indigenous game and then head down to the gym or out to the fields for the hands-on portion (four skills and modified games).
        • Goal: Introduce students to the sport of lacrosse and its rich history.