Miles Thompson, Onondaga Nation, and his brother Lyle and cousin Ty and are all on the 2013 Tewaaraton Award men’s watch list. Photo: University of Albany
Indian Country Today Media Network Staff
Tewaaraton Foundation has announced the 2013 Tewaaraton Award men’s and women’s watch lists. The lists include the top players across all three divisions of NCAA lacrosse and highlight the early contenders for the 2013 Tewaaraton Award.
The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and top female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of top collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation. Committees will make additions to these lists as the season progresses and athletes earn a spot along side these elite players. Both lists will be narrowed to 25 men’s and women’s nominees in late April. In mid-May, five men’s and five women’s finalists will be announced. These finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. for the 13th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony, May 30 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Iroquois Confederacy : the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora. While 2013 is The Year of the Mohawk, the men’s watch list includes three members of the Onondaga Nation in Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson from Albany. Lyle and Miles are brothers, and Ty is their cousin. All three Thompsons are attackmen for the University of Albany. On February 17 the Thompson Trio led the Great Danes to an upset of mighty Syracuse, taking the match, which went to double overtime, 16-15. Watch this savvy goal scored by Miles:
National Public Radio host Michel Martin talked with Ray Halbritter, of the Oneida Nation, about the gesture to pay for schools uniforms after the decision to change the “Redskins” name at Cooperstown Central School. Listen here
The message that calling sports teams “Redskins” isn’t right seems to be getting across in some circles and, perhaps most important, to the younger generation.
Some, including Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, still say the derogatory term is fine. Though others say his argument, that it’s all right to use because there are some 70 high schools in 25 states that use the name, is weak.
In her February 13 Washington Post column titled, “On Washington Redskins’ name, it’s time the grown-ups talk sense into Daniel Snyder,” Sally Jenkins was one of them.
“If you’ve long suspected that football is not a measure of intellect…a series of prominently displayed pseudo-articles defend the club’s use of a racial slur as a mascot on the grounds that lots of high schools are nicknamed ‘Redskins’ too — so it must be okay,” she says. “Which we can only take to mean that pretty soon owner Daniel Snyder will be skipping class to build a potato gun.”
But Snyder couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, recent events fly in the face of his argument. Like at Cooperstown Central School, when in early February, the students there decided they no longer wanted to be known as the Redskins.
When Cooperstown students stood up, national news media noticed. Their decision to get rid of the nickname was reported by The Associated Press, ESPN, Fox Sports, the Wall Street Journal and Indian Country Today Media Network.
“There were several students who came forward to the superintendent and myself,” Cooperstown Board of Education President Dr. David Borgstrom told ICTMN. “They told us how uncomfortable they felt about it and we made a commitment to educate the students about cultural diversity. When they brought it forward there wasn’t really any other response we could give them than, ‘You’re right.’”
Borgstrom said he’s incredibly proud of the students for coming forward and that the most important thing he has learned in this name-change process is just how socially aware the younger generation is and that they recognize the role they can play in making changes.
The older generations, especially alumni from schools that use the mascots under scrutiny, have been harder to change.
This has been the case in Cooperstown as well. Borgstrom said that when there was heated debate over the mascot changing at a board meeting, the students stood their ground. The next board of education meeting is scheduled for March 6. That’s when the official vote on whether to keep or remove the Redskins mascot will take place.
“What we have been discussing here has been linked to the football team in Washington and I think it has put more pressure on them and the Cleveland baseball team…. If a few students coming forward in Cooperstown paves the way for change elsewhere, wouldn’t that be wonderful,” Borgstrom said. “The way this is going it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.”
But changing monikers is going to cost money. Money that some schools just don’t have. That’s why when the Oneida Indian Nation heard about the students in Cooperstown, it offered to pay for the school’s new uniforms once a new nickname is chosen. Borgstrom couldn’t give a definite cost for new uniforms, but estimated it will cost between $5,000 and $7,000 to make the change.
“You have announced a standard that recognizes that mascots which are known to dehumanize and disrespect any race of mankind have no place in our schools, or our great country,” wrote Oneida Nation Representative and CEO Ray Halbritter in a letter to the Cooperstown students. “We understand that your courageous decision also comes with a financial consequence and, unfortunately, potential backlash from those who somehow claim that ethnic stereotyping is a victimless crime.”
By providing monetary help, the Oneida Nation has taken one worry off the school board’s plate.
“I think it’s a wonderful gesture on the part of the Oneida Nation. It speaks to the importance of it to them,” Borgstrom said.
This could mean there are other tribal nations out there willing to help other schools that want to take the plunge and get rid of their Native mascots or logos.
That’s why in an upcoming issue of This Week From Indian Country Today, there will be a call to action to establish a fund to help other schools. The idea is to make students feel empowered, not hampered when thinking about making the decision to leave behind dehumanizing terms like “redskins.” Offering donations will be a way to help students understand they have help with this journey and won’t have to take money away from other programs their schools offer.
Come to be entertained and leave inspired!
The Jet City Rollergirls are excited to bring you our 2nd bout for our 6th season of hard-hitting, fast-paced flat track derby action on March 16, 2013. You will see Camaro Harem, Hula Honeys, Pink Pistols and Terminal City’s Public Frenemy in this double-header that will have you out of your seats and cheering for more!
The first bout of the night pits the Hula Honeys against Terminal City’s Public Frenemy. Visiting from Vancouver, BC, this team will be bringing international derby to Everett Community College. There will be tons of on the edge of your seat action!
In the second bout the Camaro Harem will take on the Pink Pistols in a fierce battle. Will the Pistols get the draw on the crafty Harem? Come to Everett Community College and see it live for yourself.
Discounted tickets available for groups of 10 or more. Gather up some friends and family and save $2 on each ticket!
The Mat Classic High School State Wrestling Championship celebrated it’s 25th year at the Tacoma Dome, February 15-16. The top wrestlers from each region in Washington at every weight class came to battle it out for the elite title of State Champion. For a high school wrestler there is no greater goal than making it to the Dome, and most can only hope to be there by their senior year. Beyond high school every serious wrestlers dream is the Olympics. As you can imagine the topic of conversation this weekend centered on the IOC’s suggestion to remove wrestling from
the Olympics, which will be voted on by 2014. “It’s a tough blow,” said Marysville Pilchuck head coach Craig Iversen. “Our sport is very successful. We’re filling up the Tacoma Dome, and for the top level to not be recognized would very damaging to this sport. But for now, kids are excited to be here and we are focusing on today.”
Marysville Pilchuck had six competitors make it to state this year. For sophomores Ryan Daurie at 126 lbs., Killian Page at 145 lbs. and Drew Hatch at 160 lbs. this was their second time at the Mat Classic. As freshman Drew and Killian both took 6th place and Ryan attended as an alternate. Marysville Pilchuck is one of the few schools to have under classmen make it to the dome in the higher weight classes, much less place. Seniors Jory Cooper at 285 lbs., Ignat Gabov at 220 lbs., and Ishmael Perez at 195 lbs., fought through both district and regional qualifying tournaments to represent the Tomahawks for their first time. The Tomahawk wrestlers are led by Craig Iversen, who was named “Coach of the Year” in 2012, Tony Hatch, “Assistant Coach of the Year” for 2013, Tony Delpozo, and John Hodgins.
Killian Page took 2nd place.
The two-day tournament was long and exhausting. After day one, Marysville only had three wrestlers left in the folkstyle tournament, Ignat Gabov , Drew Hatch and Killian Page. The other three had been eliminated after suffering two losses. Killian, ranked number six, was up first in a semi final match that would determine whether he would wrestle for the championship or be bumped into the losers bracket to fight for third place. His opponent was the number three-ranked senior Dylan Schmidt from Shadle Park. (Rankings are established through last years placing, wins, losses and number of tournaments wrestled). It was a battle match that lasted over 12 minutes with injury and stoppage time. The score was tied almost the entire match in the final 10 seconds Killian rallied with a 2 point take down to end the match and put him in the finals. Although he lost his finals match to senior John Hoover from (Mt. Spokane) Killian was still so excited to be there. “I am okay with second” Killian said. “That guy was a beast and a cool kid he deserved it. Besides just being in the finals felt like a dream.
Next up was Drew Hatch in the 160 lb. bracket. Recovering from a torn meniscus, Drew had his first loss of the season the day before against senior Morgan Smith of Meadowdale, and needed every win to stay in the running. His first match of the day was against freshman Mason McDaniel and ended with a win by injury forfeit. Next up Drew wrestled the number 3 ranked sophomore Bryson Pierce from North Central. It was a tough match, but Drew dominated and won 8-5 securing his spot on the podium and ending up with a fourth place medal. “I put alot of pressure on myself to do better than last year, but I can’t say I am not a little disappointed.” Drew said. “ I just can’t wait for next year when I am completely healed and hopefully my teammates and I will get another chance.”
Iggy Gabov took 8th place.
Ignat or “Iggy was last to wrestle in the semi final round. Iggy’s story is the most interesting. He and his family moved from Russia to Marysville several years ago. After dominating at football he decided to try wrestling. It was difficult for him to communicate with the coaches at first because English was his second language, but Iggy didn’t give up. In only his second year he made it to the state championships on pure brute strength. He won three matches with a “head and arm” and moved on to place 8th.
The sophomores of Marysville Pilchuck are all ready looking forward to Mat Classic XXVI and the future. Killian, Drew and Ryan all shared the same words; “There are many promising wrestlers in the Marysville Wrestling Club and coming up from the middle schools. We are going to have a strong team next year and the year after, and hopefully we will just keep going.”
Both the wrestlers and coaches are hopeful for the State Championships in 2014 as well as the IOC’s final vote on the fate of Olympic Wrestling.
On February 23, the Stealth plays host to the Calgary Roughnecks at Comcast Arena. 6:45pm
www.comcastarenaeverett.com
COMCAST ARENA DOORS OPEN AT 5:15pm. Come early to take part in pre-game activities, featuring Coors Light drink specials, face-painting, poster-making station and much more!
Hang around after the game for an autograph session with Stealth players.
Members of the Washington Stealth lacrosse league introduce the game of lacrosse to members of the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club.
By Kim Kalliber TulalipNews writer; photo by Jeannie Briones, TulalipNews staff
The sound of clashing sticks echoed throughout the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club as kids, club staff and members of Everett’s Washington Stealth lacrosse league took part in the exciting sport of lacrosse. Members of Washington Stealth paid a visit to the club on February 11th to teach the kids not only the game of lacrosse, but its history and Native American cultural identity, along with the importance of staying physically fit in order to combat obesity, an issue that is prominent in children across America.
The history of Lacrosse
Lacrosse, a word that means “stick,” is one of the oldest team sports in North America, and can be traced to tribal games played by eastern tribes and some Plains Indian tribes in what is now known as Canada. The sport was well established with Europeans by the seventeenth century, and was documented by Jesuit priests.
Traditional lacrosse games were often major events, lasting several days, with as many as 100 to 1,000 men from various villages or tribes playing against each other in a single game. These large number of players would swarm a ball, which could not be touched by hands, and maneuver it across an open field.
Medicine Men served as coaches and women traditionally served refreshments. Games were followed with a ceremonial dance and a large feast to honor the hungry players.
Early lacrosse balls were often made of wood or deerskin stuffed with hair, and the sticks resembled a giant wooden spoon, without netting. No protective gear was worn during traditional lacrosse games.
Blue Pony Lacrosse
Washington Stealth have partnered with Blue Pony Lacrosse, a program dedicated to rejuvenating lacrosse in Native American culture and teaching the history and importance of the game to Natives.
“It is grounded in tradition. It is an Indigenous Native sport, originally part of the medicine game of the Iroquois. We want to start a foundation of understanding more than just the sport, but the spiritually and cultural history behind the sport itself,” said Dave Waterman, Native American Liaison for Washington Stealth. “We will move on to contemporary lacrosse, which is what you see today. Hopefully this will initiate some interest in the youth and in the community.”
For centuries the Iroquois have played the “Creators Game,” sending the message that the game is a symbol of unity, health, and the power of the good mind; it’s message transcends territory, boundary and time, manifesting through the players, representing honor and respect of all people, generating a gift of healing so all people may have peace of mind.
Blue Pony co-sponsored a resolution at the 1996 National Congress of the American Indian, which designated “The Creator’s Game.” Part of this resolution states, “the involvement of Indian Lacrosse with young people may go a long way towards solving the problems faced by Indians in dominant culture schools, the lack of respect for Native culture and history, coupled with racism and an expectation of failure.”
Sticks 2 Schools
Not only are they working to teach the origins and culture of lacrosse, members of Washington Stealth are also educating children about the dangers of obesity, through a partnership with Sticks 2 Schools.
Sticks 2 Schools is a non-profit corporation that helps combat child obesity by motivating youth to increase their level of physical activity while learning to play lacrosse. Since many schools can’t afford additional physical education programs and equipment, Sticks 2 Schools, through corporate sponsors and private donors, has introduced co-ed lacrosse in over 100 elementary, middle and high schools in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area of California, and since 2010, twenty schools in the Greater Seattle area.
Tulalip Boys & Girls Club member Dakota Fisher has fun learning the game of lacrosse.
“The overlying message is to fight childhood obesity, but so much more comes out of it. They learn leadership skills and communication within their own peer groups,” said Chris Kelley, Manager of Service and Retention for Washington Stealth and lacrosse coach for Mukilteo High School.
“I think the game of lacrosse is a great outlet for the kids to promote the importance of an active, healthy lifestyle while celebrating the history and heritage behind the sport in Native culture,” said Chris
McElroy, Washington Stealth team member.
Let the games begin
Washington Stealth members arrived at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club, packing equipment, knowledge and team spirit to share with Club kids and staff. Kids were taught the importance of wearing proper helmets and elbow and chin pads and were introduced to the latest sporting equipment. Thanks to modern technology, sticks now increase the pace of the game.
After a pre-game warm-up, the kids got to test their newly learned skills on the court.
Tulalip Boys & Girls Club member Andrea Parrish learns she’s a natural at lacrosse.
The objective of the game is to score by shooting the ball into an opponent’s goal, using the lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball. The defense tries to keep the opposing team from scoring and to gain control of the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact or positioning. The game can be played on an outdoor field or indoor court.
“I was born to do this!” said Tulalip Boys & Girls Club member, Andrea Parrish, who proved to be a natural at the game.
As a special surprise, the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club received a gift of 50 lacrosse sticks. The sticks were originally donated to the Sticks 2 Schools program, which passed them on to Tulalip in order to increase the interest in lacrosse among Native American youth.
Unsure of what the future holds for lacrosse at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club, Don Hatch III, Athletic Director for the club said, “I hope our kids grasp onto this sport; I want them to give it a shot. We are more than just a basketball club now; we have soccer, t-ball, baseball, and football.”
MOUNT VERNON — Adiya Jones-Smith scored 21 points and Katia Brown hit several free throws late as Tulalip Heritage overcame some early nerves to knock off Mount Vernon Christian 48-38 in the 1B District 1 Tournament final on Friday.
“The girls started out slow, they were scared and nervous (in the first half),” said Hawks head coach Tina Brown.
Brown credited the play of sophomore guard Justice Vela for keeping the Hawks in the game during the first half.
“I’m very proud of Justice Vela, she stepped up in the first half,” said Brown. “Justice got a couple of steals, made a couple of shots when we could’ve folded.”
With Vela’s help, the Hawks (17-2) held a two-point lead at the half before getting their offense into gear in the third quarter by ratcheting up the defense. Tulalip Heritage held the Hurricanes (15-8) to just four points in the period, while scoring 15. According to Tina Brown, Jones-Smith was able to score off layins created from Tulalip Heritage steals.
Jacqueline Case led the Hurricanes with 15 points and Mount Vernon Christian finally solved the Hawks defense in the fourth, scoring 19 points, which equaled its output from the first three periods. But Katia Brown made 9 of 10 from the line in the last two minutes to ice the game. Brown’s dead-eye free throw shooting shouldn’t be a surprise, she’s the granddaughter of former Seattle SuperSonics great “Downtown Freddie” Brown.
The win earns the Hawks the district title and the No. 1 seed to next week’s tri-district tournament. The Hawks will host the winner of Grace Academy-Evergreen Lutheran. Mount Vernon Christian will enter as the No. 2 seed and play the Lopez-Shoreline Christian winner. Both games are scheduled for Feb. 12.
At Mount Vernon Christian H.S.
Mount Vernon Christian 10 5 4 19 — 38
Tulalip Heritage 10 7 15 16 — 48
Mount Vernon Christian–Natalie Sakuma 6, Kimber-Lynn Anderson 0, Amanda Lervick 4, Molli Kaptein 0, Jacqueline Case 15, Melyssa Whitener 0, Grace Kuipers 7, Kennedy Lucas 2, Carla Van Rooyen 4, Lindsay Noste 0, Ottey Weidenbach 0, Jenna Withers 0. Tulalip Heritage–Katia Brown 13, Kanoa Enick 7, Cassandra Jimicum 2, Adiya Jones-Smith 21, Justice Vela 5, Michelle Iukes 0, Wendy Jimicum 0. 3-point goals–Case 3, Vela, Enick. Records– Mount Vernon Christian 15-8 overall. Tulalip Heritage 17-2.
Marysville Pilchuck High School made a great showing at the District Wrestling Tournament this past weekend. The tournament was held at Stanwood High School on Friday and Saturday and is sending 10 wrestlers on to districts.
There were two first place winners, Ishmael Perez in the 195lb. weight class and Drew Hatch in the 160lb. weight class. Two second place winners, with Killian Page at 145lbs and Ryan Daurie at 126lbs. Jacob Green 120lbs, Iggy Gabov 220lbs, and Jory Cooper 285lbs all placed 3rd and Johnathon Neuman 106 lbs took 4th. Jake Merrick 182lbs and Sam Foss 106lbs advance as alternates. Tony Hatch was also honored at this event with the Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Ishmael Perez, a senior this year, said, “I am really pumped to go on to regionals, and really excited about taking first. I worked really hard in High school and I am glad the work paid off. This is my last chance so I really hope I make it to state. “ Ishmael pinned his opponent from Stanwood in the second round.
Drew Hatch also took first and dominated his opponent Josh Crebbin from Oak Harbor, pinning him in the second round. “I was really excited and it was a great feeling after pinning Josh in the finals. I guess it was especially cool because my Dad got that award for all of his hard work with the team,” said Drew.
Tony Hatch thinks his son’s win is much more exciting than the award, but is still incredibly honored.
When asked Tony to share his feelings about the nomination and the award Tony had this to say, “Being selected Wesco North 3A Assistant Coach of the year is very humbling. I just believe that this sport teaches kids very important life lessons, and that is why I have pushed my kids, nephews and other Tulalip kids to stay with it. I have always tried to coach kids that being a classy champion is so much better than an arrogant champion, and that an athlete’s character is being judged at all times. Even if we lose, we have to learn to lose like champions, but the next time we meet, the outcome will be different.”
“These kinds of teachings and philosophies have brought the kids that we coach to a whole different level,” continued Tony. “I am glad the other coaches have noticed the job that we have done with our athletes. I was surprised to see that my name had been nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year, but to see that the Wesco Coaches voted me Wesco North Coach of the Year was pretty cool. I am honored and kind of humbled that they think of me like this.”
Marysville Pilchuck High School has the honor of hosting the 3A Wesco Regionals this Saturday February 9th. They hope to send all 10 of their wrestlers on to the WIAA Mat Classic State Championship at the Tacoma Dome February 15th and 16th. They had three state placers last year and hope to at least double that figure.
Your support is asked for Adiya Jones-Smith on the Tulalip Heritage Lady Hawks team. Adiya has been nominated for the Everett Herald Player of the week. The voting is open until 9pm tonight. Please cast your vote on the Herald’s website.
