Nations Cup 2018 arriving at Six Nations

SIX NATIONS — The Ohsweken Aces will be hosting the 2018 Iroquois Nations Cup lacrosse tournament here on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena (ILA) on September 20-23, 2018. The tournament is exclusive to only Haudenosaunee communities on both sides of the border.

“The Game of Lacrosse is part of who we are, and this tournament is very unique in the fact that it is the only All-Native Lacrosse Tournament. We acknowledge and appreciate the tradition of this tournament, and what it represents to our people,” says event organizer Warren Hill.

There are still openings for teams wishing to participate.

“Things are looking good as we have roughly six teams confirmed so far and are expected at least eight and possibly 10 teams,” says Hill.

This Native-Only lacrosse tournament is held each year at the end of the summer lacrosse season. Host Communities rotate each year. This year it is here in Six Nations, least year in Akwesasne and the year before that in Onondaga.

“We will also be welcoming the North Shore Indians from the Squamish Nations in British Columbia,” says Hill.

Usual community participants are Akwesasne, Kanawake, Tyendinaga, Six Nations, Onondaga, New Town, Tuscarora, Cattaraugas, and Allegany.

The Nations Cup will see some of the finest Native lacrosse players compete for the Iroquois Nations Cup and prize totalling $10,000 with the eventual champion taking home $5000. 2nd place $3500 and 3rd $1500.

The tournament is 16 years of age and older, drawing players from Senior and Junior clubs and leagues.

The Tournament schedule calls for two games to be played on Thursday evening September 20th, with games played all-day the following Friday and Saturday. Sunday September 23 (Super Sunday) will see two semi-final games (Pool A 1st vs Pool B 2nd/Pool B 1st vs Pool A 2nd) before a Bronze and Championship game.

The Iroquois Nations Cup is the rebirth of an all-Native Championship that was held in the middle-to-late sixties and early seventies by lacrosse legend Ross Powless. CLA First Nations director Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell later revived it in 1997, and has been a huge success for lacrosse fans as they get to see the best Native lacrosse players in one major event.

“I believe the Ohsweken Aces first compete in either the 2006 or 2007 Nations Cup,” Hill says. “The Aces have competed in every Nations Cup since, aside from years 2014-2015, and have won five Nations Cups.

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