OHRC working to address anti-Indigenous racism in lacrosse

TORONTO – In recognition of the importance of lacrosse to Indigenous cultures and in the face of troubling reports of racial slurs and mistreatment in games involving Six Nations lacrosse players, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will meet with Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation (Six Nations), the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) and the Canadian Lacrosse Association (CLA) to engage in discussions about how to address concerns of systemic racism against Indigenous lacrosse players.

The OHRC will retain an expert Indigenous facilitator to support these discussions, which will start with concerns raised by members of the Six Nations lacrosse community as the first step in the important process of rebuilding trust, fostering accountability and promoting reconciliation.

The OHRC is committed to Indigenous reconciliation as a strategic priority and is working to build accountability for systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in sport. Sport has always played a significant role in Indigenous histories, cultures and world views, and continues to be a key element of Indigenous identity. Lacrosse, in particular, has diverse Indigenous origins, and is known as the Creator’s Game or Medicine Game to the Haudenosaunee.

There is also a long history of exclusion and abuse against Indigenous peoples in lacrosse that spans generations. For example, Gaylord Powless (1946 – 2001), a legendary Mohawk lacrosse player from Six Nations, endured racism from the lacrosse community throughout his star career. Despite the challenges he faced, Powless left a legacy of relationship-building between Indigenous and non-Indigenous players. This announcement is made on Powless’ birthday to honour this legacy and to recognize the need for positive action to respect and promote Indigenous peoples and cultures. The OHRC hopes to continue Powless’ vision through constructive and conciliatory discussions with Six Nations, the OLA and the CLA.

“For Six Nations of the Grand River, Lacrosse is more than a sport, it lives as a Haudenosaunee life essence in the generations of our past, present and future,” said Six Nations of the Grand River Chief Mark Hill. “A gift from the Creator, Lacrosse is the bridge that is meant to be shared with the world, in friendship, peace and unity. Our hope is that every man, woman and child that chooses to and wants to freely experience the thrill of playing the Creator’s game can do so in a healthy environment.”

“Racial abuse and harassment have no place in sport; especially a sport that owes its origins to the Haudenosaunee,” said Ontario Lacrosse Association President Jim Bomhof. “The Ontario Lacrosse Association recognizes the important contributions to lacrosse made by members of the Six Nations of the Grand River and affirms our expectation that interactions between members of the OLA must respect the history, culture, customs, languages, and rights of Indigenous peoples at all times. We are committed to collaborating with the Six Nations community, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Canadian Lacrosse Association to rebuild and sustain long-term trusting and mutually inclusive relationships based on key values of our organization: equality, accountability and respect for the cultures and lands in which we play.”

“The Canadian Lacrosse Association will be attending the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s meetings between the Six Nations of the Grand First Nation and the Ontario Lacrosse Association,” said Canadian Lacrosse Association President Shawn Williams. “It is our hope that these discussions will lead to further clarity on the issue and increased understanding between these two lacrosse communities.”

“Lacrosse has long been a way for Indigenous communities to connect with each other in a spirit of trust, respect and honour,” said OHRC Chief Commissioner Ena Chadha. “But connections with non-Indigenous communities are quickly broken and trust is destroyed when they are fraught with harassment and abuse. Our goal is to build relationships that unite and uphold reconciliation, and encourage all to proactively address racism.”

Media contact:
Rosemary Parker
Communications and Issues Management
Ontario Human Rights Commission/Commission ontarienne des droits de la personne
rosemary.parker@ohrc.on.ca