Akwesasne Sky Warriors Demonstrate in Saratoga Springs

The AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS traveled to Saratoga Springs this past Saturday morning, Sept 29-30, 2012. Rain showered the land as friends came to be a part of the SKY WARRIORS demonstration.  Tom and Alice Porter were a few friends in the audience. Alice Porter sang with the women and was one of the women who lead the players onto the field.  Tom had the honor of tossing the ball into the air to officially begin the game of stickball.

    The field was wet, and light showers fell as the SKY WARRIORS took the field.  The players, at seeing how big the official post really is, caught their attention as soon as they were erected.  The pole the SKY WARRIORS have been practicing on is about 9 feet high, regulation goal is 12 feet high.

    The Saratoga crowd watched as the youth handled the sticks and shot from far distances hitting the poles at both ends of the field. It was the first time people from the Saratoga Springs area had ever seen the game of stickball and asked many questions as interviews and pictures were asked of many of the players.

    The Saratoga Today newspaper was on scene the two days the SKY WARRIORS were demonstrating.  Groups of youth all wanted to play the game but as we explained, only our people play this game.  One player from Akwesasne (Davin) joined in the game at the festival.  One player from Six Nations also entered the game.

    The new players were outmatched as the SKY WARRIORS ran up and down the field shooting at will, while avoiding tackles and take downs.  The new players were not discouraged though as they also came to play the next day. Every SKY WARRIOR helped the new players by showing them how to hold the stickball sticks, how to shoot and how to run with the ball.  These young men have become very skilled gifters of the game in a short time.

    Six Nations (Jackson Crawford) caught the SKY WARRIORS off guard by scoring, as well as Davon George from Akwesane.  The two new players found out quickly they had to play hard or otherwise they would just be standing around holding their sticks or getting tackled.

    The drum is played throughout the game, which is the heartbeat of the game and you can always tell when the game is in progress.  The players also enjoyed the songs of the smoke dance and the water drum playing in the distance while they continued playing as long as they were on the field.

    Gifts were given to the AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS for the waythey played and the sharing they gave to other nations.  Wampum necklaces by craft makers, honoring song and dance were given to the players and were proudly worn in the circle of honor.  The players hit their sticks from the honoring circle through the festival tents back to the field.

    The AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS would like to thank everyone who is helping them build the sport of stickball in the north.  The 40 new pair of sticks are almost ready to be picked up in North Carolina.  The stickmaker (Mississippi) has only to wait till the deer hide leather is through smoking and will be put on the sticks and given to the players in ceremony.

    Ticket raffles for 1 pair of stickball sticks are 1 ticket for $2.00 or 3 tickets for $5.00. The raffle is Oct 9, 2012 from 6pm-8pm at the Seniors building. We will have an announcement for pot luck and viewing of AKWESASNE SKY WARRIORS video.

We still need more funds to purchase the 40 pair of handmade stickball sticks.  Donations of funds will be accepted.

Maryland is the next demonstration (season permitting).

We have many skilled players who are becoming the best at their positions.

Offense/Centers/Defense.

Practice schedule: Generations field M-W-F (3:30 PM - 5.00 PM) SUNDAY

SCRIMMAGES 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (unless otherwise changed) All ages welcome.

Stickmaker needed.

Contact Neddie/Leadhorse at 518-257-6946.