'Spirit Game': Hollywood Documentary a Source of Local Pride

Akwesasne's own Taylor Smoke was acknowledged by the directors of the new movie Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation at the film's East Coast premiere in Syracuse, NY on June 3. Smoke was one of many VIPs invited to attend the special screening for Haudenosaunee citizens and their guests. Director Peter Baxter thanked Smoke during the Q&A for sharing his life beyond the Iroquois Nationals in the film, including serving on the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police force.

Singers Bear Fox and Joanne Shenandoah were also in attendance for the red carpet event. Both have songs featured in the film.

Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation is a documentary that interweaves the compelling story of the rise of the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team with an opportunity for the world to better understand Haudenosaunee sovereignty and the lasting impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery.

"We hope this documentary not only tells a good story, but can open up much-needed conversations about the structural injustices against indigenous peoples that continue today," remarked Baxter.

For lacrosse fans, the film is not to be missed. It captures key plays during the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship in Denver and the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, hosted at the Onondaga Nation, in groundbreaking high-def, slow-motion footage. It's a chance to revel in the "impossible" plays made by the Thompson brothers and the other highly skilled Iroquois Nationals players including Randy Staats, Jeff Shatler, and Brett Bucktooth.

Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation is being shown in select independent theaters, including the Palace Theater in Syracuse on June 24 at 7 PM, and will be available on iTunes and Amazon starting June 20. It premiered in Hollywood on May 26th and is getting rave reviews. Visit https://www.facebook.com/SpiritGamePride/ for more information and showings.