EPISODE · Nov 24, 2025 · 24 MIN
The Haudenosaunee Created Lacrosse, but They’re Still Fighting to Play Under Their Own Flag
from Sportly · host Immigrantly Media
Lacrosse didn’t begin in prep-school hallways or elite East Coast programs; its roots sit firmly with the Haudenosaunee, the Indigenous creators of North America’s oldest sport. As lacrosse returns to the Olympic stage for the first time in 75 years, the community that invented the game may once again be left on the sidelines. In this episode of Sportly, the host Kavitha Davidson dives into the powerful, often erased history of lacrosse, from a thousand-year-old ceremonial game to the packed 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship on Haudenosaunee land. The episode revisits the rise of the Thompson Brothers, the dominance of box lacrosse, and the political battles that have kept Indigenous athletes from competing under their own flag. Now, with the introduction of Lacrosse Sixes and the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, a defining question emerges: Will the Olympics finally allow the Haudenosaunee Nationals to compete as a sovereign team? Featuring gripping storytelling, historical context, and the voices of players who have carried this game for generations, this episode explores not just a sport but a movement for recognition, sovereignty, and justice. Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producer: Paroma Chakravarty I Executive Producer: Saadia Khan | Script Writer: Irene Bantigue & Kavitha Davidson |Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Research: Irene Bantigue & Paroma Chakravarty | Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can reach the host, Kavitha, at [email protected] Follow us on TikTok @immigrantly Sportly IG @sportlypod Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Lacrosse didn’t begin in prep-school hallways or elite East Coast programs; its roots sit firmly with the Haudenosaunee, the Indigenous creators of North America’s oldest sport. As lacrosse returns to the Olympic stage for the first time in 75 years, the community that invented the game may once again be left on the sidelines. In this episode of Sportly, the host Kavitha Davidson dives into the powerful, often erased history of lacrosse, from a thousand-year-old ceremonial game to the packed 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship on Haudenosaunee land. The episode revisits the rise of the Thompson Brothers, the dominance of box lacrosse, and the political battles that have kept Indigenous athletes from competing under their own flag. Now, with the introduction of Lacrosse Sixes and the 2028 LA Olympics on the horizon, a defining question emerges: Will the Olympics finally allow the Haudenosaunee Nationals to compete as a sovereign team? Featuring gripping storytelling, historical context, and the voices of players who have carried this game for generations, this episode explores not just a sport but a movement for recognition, sovereignty, and justice. Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producer: Paroma Chakravarty I Executive Producer: Saadia Khan | Script Writer: Irene Bantigue & Kavitha Davidson |Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Research: Irene Bantigue & Paroma Chakravarty | Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can reach the host, Kavitha, at [email protected] Follow us on TikTok @immigrantly Sportly IG @sportlypod Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Haudenosaunee Created Lacrosse, but They’re Still Fighting to Play Under Their Own Flag
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