Sweden Box Lacrosse made an announcement to their Facebook page on Monday, April 1, that explained a loop hole in their applicant qualifications.
The page wrote: “Due to an error in translation found in the 1977 Swedish Riksdag’s recognition of the Sami as an indigenous people, Sweden’s National Box Lacrosse Team is now accepting applications from Native Americans.
The error results in the Swedish Riksdag recognizing ALL indigenous people worldwide as native to Sweden.
Because of the loophole created by the law, Sweden Box Lacrosse is looking forward to receiving World Cup National Team applications from players from Onondaga, Six Nations, and other areas in upstate NY and Canada. Prior MSL or NLL experience preferred, but not necessary.
Interested players can download the application (http://tinyurl.com/dymbb3a) and send it to aprilskämt@lacrosse.se.”
The Sami of Sweden are recognized by the United Nations as an indigenous people after living in the Arctic for thousands of years, which has given them the right to preserve and develop their crafts, language, education, reindeer husbandry, traditions and identity while being a part of modern Swedish society.
Thus, the loophole found within the translation may allow more players from Haudenosaunee territories to compete at the national level.
