Akwesasne Sky Warriors

Submitted by Jerry Williams Leadhorse

On Sunday Sept 23, the AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS had a fundraiser to raise funds to purchase more stickball equipment. The schedule for the fundraiser was a taco sale, stickball shoot and stickball scrimmage. The SKY WARRIORS are purchasing 40 new pairs of stickball sticks for all players.  Raffle tickets for one pair of stickball sticks are: 1 ticket for 2.00 or 3 tickets for 5.00. Drawing will be October 8, 2012.

 The taco sale and stickball shoot went well, but we will need more fundraisers to purchase more stickball equipment.  

The AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS are the first stickball team in the northern areas, and have been invited to tournaments and festive events throughout many of our people’s nations.

 The SKY WARRIORS left from Kanonsesne hitting their sticks all the way to the field. Once at the field the players got ready for battle.  The breach cloth, moccasins or bare feet, and face paint for war, are worn in the stickball game. Everyone went over the few rules, which are: NEVER touch the ball, NO head shots, NO knee or below shots and NO fighting on the field. The refs will call out of bounds (which is to keep the ball game moving for scoring). There are no time outs or penalties, once the game starts it goes till it’s settled.  All players who play this game know: once the opposing side touches the ball they are fair game and all is legal to get the ball away from the other side.  

  The stickball game was opened with the women leading the players onto the field, followed with the eagle staff, drummer, then the players.  The two sides (bows vs. arrows) met in the middle of the field, the ball was thrown into the air and was officially started.  Many hard hits, flips, whips, pull downs and shots flew as the players rushed from one end to the other.  Cars passing by would stop next to the field and watch the game, honking their horns when the players would score.  The players would hit their sticks together to let all know they scored.  The game ended with a score of 8-7.  The game was shortened as the weather got chilly.

 The AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS stickball team would like to thank all who

came out for the taco sale and scrimmage.  Your support makes the whole stronger.  As we teach the players: This is not a team sport, this is a village sport!

 The next demonstration is at Saratoga Native Festival Sept 29-30. We will be demonstrating to many nations and sharing the game, with 2 demonstrations daily at1:00pm and 5:00pm near the children’s tent. We will have a booth near the children’s tent also.

 On Sunday September 16, 2012 the AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS demonstrated at the Nations Cup before the championship game.  It was the first time most nations had seen the two stick game.  3 SKY WARRIORS helped present the medals to the 1st and 2nd place teams.  The crowd was caught with awe, seeing how the game was played.

Stickmaker needed.

Schedule practice M-W-F 3:30-5pm        Sunday scrimmages 6-8pm

For contact information Neddie/Leadhorse 518-257-6946