To celebrate International Women's Day, it's a time to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Native women in the realm of lacrosse, a sport deeply interwoven with Indigenous culture and community. This post celebrates the remarkable journeys, achievements, and leadership of Native women who have excelled on the lacrosse field and used their platforms to advocate for cultural pride, environmental stewardship, and the empowerment of Indigenous communities.
From Nina Polk's viral advocacy and deep-rooted connection to her heritage to Olivia Bean Johnston's transformative coaching and Stacy Smith Ledford's impactful educational initiatives, each story embodies resilience and inspiration. Mekwan Tulpin showcases the power of perseverance and cultural pride across both box and field lacrosse, while Cassandra "Bean" Minerd illustrates the profound link between lacrosse, environmental activism, and Indigenous identity.
The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women's Lacrosse Team represents the pinnacle of Indigenous representation in sports, carrying forward the legacy and traditions of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy on the international stage. Their journey from revival to recognition is a testament to the enduring spirit and the unbreakable bond between Indigenous peoples and the Creator's game. As we celebrate these incredible Native women and their contributions, we look forward to a future where Indigenous women continue to break barriers and shine on the world stage, bringing the "good medicine" of lacrosse to all corners of the globe.
Keep reading to learn more about the Native women we celebrate and their impactful strides in lacrosse and beyond.
Nina Polk
Nina Polk, an inspiring athlete of Sičangu Lakota, Diné (Navajo), San Carlos Apache, and Quechan tribes, shines both on and off the lacrosse field as a player who played at Fort Lewis College and will potentially transfer. Her journey in lacrosse is a testament to the power of connecting with one's heritage and the transformative nature of sports. Before finding her place in the lacrosse world, Nina faced challenges in sports due to feeling like an outsider as one of the only Native kids on her teams. However, her encounter with Twin Cities Native Lacrosse was a turning point, allowing her to embrace traditional lacrosse and igniting a passion that had been absent in her previous athletic endeavors.
Nina's remarkable path in lacrosse has been further illuminated through her success on social media, where her TikToks on traditional Great Lakes Lacrosse have gone viral. Her content showcases her skill and knowledge of the game. It is an educational platform for traditional techniques, equipment, and teachings, making her a notable figure among young lacrosse enthusiasts and a powerful voice for Native people in the sport. Nina's contributions were recognized by The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and The Lacrosse Network, leading to a partnership with PLL, where she had the opportunity to play and educate during games hosted in the Twin Cities.
Nina Polk's journey is a heartfelt narrative interwoven with familial ties. Growing up, Nina was drawn to the artistic world, a passion she attributes to her mother's vibrant, creative influence. This connection fostered a profound appreciation for art and culture from a young age. Nina's relationship with her father took a unique form through sports. With her father being a former Haskell University basketball player, Nina was inspired to find a shared activity that would allow them to connect uniquely. This aspiration led her to the world of traditional lacrosse, a sport that became their common ground. The involvement of the Polk family in community contests organized by Twin Cities Native Lacrosse highlights the profound significance of the sport in their lives, elevating it from a simple pastime to an essential element of family tradition and cultural identity.
Transitioning from high school to playing Division II lacrosse at Fort Lewis College in Colorado, Nina has advanced in her athletic career and continued to cherish and promote her cultural heritage through the sport. Nina Polk's story is one of resilience, cultural pride, and the enduring influence of family, making her an inspirational figure for aspiring athletes everywhere.
Olivia Bean Johnston
(Left)
Olivia Bean Johnston, a proud member of the Snoqualmie Tribe, serves as Bishop Blanchet's head coach. Originating from Puyallup, WA, Olivia's lacrosse journey began with the Puyallup Lacrosse Club, where she played for six years. During her high school tenure at Puyallup, she emerged as a varsity starter, which paved the way for becoming a vital player for the club lacrosse teams at Washington State University and Central Washington University. Olivia graduated early with a BA in Anthropology in the fall of 2018 and returned to Western Washington to continue her career.
Olivia was the head offensive coach for SuperStix Lacrosse during their 2020 season and has been a part of the high school coaching staff for Mount Si Lacrosse. She also brings her expertise to City Side, an elite travel team. Olivia is dedicated to growing lacrosse on the West Coast and aims to inspire athletes to excel both on the field and in life. We are honored to celebrate a passionate and experienced coach like Olivia Bean Johnston.
Stacy Smith Ledford
(Middle)
Stacy Smith Ledford, a distinguished member of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians, currently holds the esteemed position of Executive Director at 4 The Future Foundation. With an impressive background in education, tribal operations, and community service, Stacy has made significant contributions to the empowerment and development of Indigenous communities. Her expertise is further highlighted through her role as a Program Officer at the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, where she spearheads educational initiatives focusing on curriculum development and integrating innovative tools.
Stacy's commitment to fostering strong community relationships and enhancing educational opportunities for Indigenous youth is evident in her work. At 4 The Future Foundation, she continues her mission to inspire young people towards active, healthy lifestyles while emphasizing the importance of holistic development and community well-being. A commitment to transparency characterizes Stacy's leadership, the ability to tackle challenges head-on, and the implementation of effective solutions that prioritize the organization's and community's best interests. Her unwavering dedication is instrumental in making a lasting, positive impact on Indigenous youth and communities across Turtle Island, embodying the spirit of International Women's Day through her impactful work and leadership.
Mekwan Tulpin
As of February 2024, Mekwan Tulpin (of Mushkegowuk Cree/Belgian descent) has been inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) as an athlete and builder in sport. She is also the first from Treaty 9 territory to play lacrosse internationally. Her athletic career is distinguished by significant achievements across two lacrosse disciplines (box and field), showcasing her versatility and leadership in the sport.
Growing up between Simcoe (her rural southern birthplace) and Fort Albany (her remote northern first nation/band) in Ontario, Canada, Mekwan finally played a full-length box lacrosse season in 2009 at the age of 21. Nearly a decade later, she had further explored her cultural identity to play in World Cup field lacrosse by 2017, shooting the first goal ever scored for the Belgian Women’s National Team.
Having recently become a lead ambassador within the Women’s Box Lacrosse Global Network and a board member of the Indigenous Lacrosse Association, she continues to exemplify the spirit of grassroots lacrosse through her involvement in sports development sessions across her province and now beyond.
As an avid athlete, she has often been asked to become involved in the planning, developing, and implementing sport, recreation, physical activity, and youth leadership programming. She has worked to encourage youth through modern and traditional game activations and partnerships within Ontario’s many First Nations, urban (non-)Indigenous organizations, the Provincial-Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body, and District School Board settings.
For the first time since 1985, lacrosse had made its return to the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games. Here, Mekwan was given an opportunity to be selected as an Indigenous apprentice coach when women’s box lacrosse debuted at this major game for the first time ever. OLA’s Team Ontario box lacrosse made history, and this female team took home the gold. Playing, coaching, team management, and Mission Staff have all been roles drawn by her for ISWO’s Aboriginal Team Ontario at various North American Indigenous Games over the years as well.
Mekwan herself is a veteran player within Ontario, having begun and still actively playing for over a 15-year span with the Grand River Attack. This team dates back to the early unarchived summer seasons of the original Women’s Box Lacrosse Association (WBLA), which then became the Ontario Women’s Box Lacrosse League (OWBLL) and to what is now known as Women’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL). More history-marking highlights and accolades continued being built throughout the years on numerous other teams at championships like the 2015-16 Canadian Female Box Lacrosse Nationals and the 2018-present winter seasons under the Women’s Arena Lacrosse League - East Division.
Her journey in lacrosse has been impacted by the loss of a Six Nations’ teammate. One who took the time to play catch outside of practice hours and shared in passion for playing this stickball game. In her friend’s honour, she strives to lead by example in many ways both on and of the field of play.
In addition to the Haudenosaunee confederacy, she aspires to represent all nations across Turtle Island as she is currently striving, as a non-passport player, to make the Haudenosaunee Nationals roster yet to be finalized for the first inclusion of women’s box lacrosse at the Utica 2024 World Box Lacrosse Championships. Note: Only three (3) non-passport players are eligible to participate on National Teams. Mekwan Tulpin’s journey in lacrosse is not just a story of personal achievement but a testament to her commitment to fostering growth, excellence, and cultural pride in the sport she loves.
Bean Minerd
(Middle)
Cassandra "Bean" Minerd, hailing from the Onondaga Nation, Eel clan, embodies a deep connection to her cultural heritage, environmental activism, and a passion for lacrosse. Growing up in Nedrow, NY, within a strong matriarchal society and family, Bean has been profoundly influenced by her late grandmother, the Eel clan mother, Phoebe Hill, and her uncle, Tadodaho Sidney Hill. Her educational journey led her to SUNY Brockport, where she pursued Recreation and Leisure Studies, graduating in 2017. During her academic breaks, Bean dedicated herself to the Onondaga Nation Youth Group as a Youth Leader, fostering her interest in environmental stewardship under the mentorship of Hazel Powless.
Bean's involvement in environmental programs and workshops, including a significant experience at the Native Earth Summer Program in the Adirondacks, propelled her to the forefront of Indigenous solutions to climate change. Her impactful statement at the end of the camp earned her a place at the 2019 NYC Climate Summit, convened by the Nature Conservancy at the UN. Her advocacy work continued through participation in climate workshops on the Nation, leading to her pursuit of a Master of Environmental Sciences in Indigenizing Outdoor Environmental Education, focusing on integrating traditional knowledge to Indigenize Outdoor Environmental Education.
As a lacrosse player, Bean has not only played defense for her team but has also embraced the cultural and spiritual significance of the game, viewing it as "good medicine" that provides strength and support through life's challenges. Her dedication to the sport is intertwined with her cultural identity, emphasizing the unique way in which Haudenosaunee women utilize lacrosse as a form of healing and empowerment. Bean's lacrosse journey has brought her personal growth and lifelong friendships that resemble familial bonds.
Bean's aspirations extend beyond personal achievements to the broader vision of elevating Haudenosaunee lacrosse worldwide, particularly including Indigenous lacrosse in the Olympics. Her advocacy for recognition and representation of her community in the global sporting arena underscores a collective hope for future generations of Haudenosaunee lacrosse players to showcase their heritage and prowess internationally. Through her multifaceted endeavors in environmental activism, academia, and lacrosse, Cassandra "Bean" Minerd stands as a vibrant example of the power of blending traditional knowledge with modern pursuits to effect change and inspire the next generation.
Haudenosaunee Nationals Women's Team
The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women's Lacrosse Team powerfully represents the Haudenosaunee Confederacy on the international stage, demonstrating the enduring strength and spirit of Native American lacrosse. The team's journey to international competition is a testament to its resilience, skill, and dedication to the sport.
The revival of the Haudenosaunee women's team in 2005 marked a significant moment in their history, rekindling the participation of Haudenosaunee women in international lacrosse after an 18-year hiatus. Competing initially as a "First Nations" team composed of young athletes, they quickly established themselves as formidable competitors. Their persistence paid off in 2008 when they were recognized as a full member of World Lacrosse under the name Haudenosaunee, a milestone that underscored their sovereignty and cultural pride.
The team has undergone several evolutions, most recently transitioning to the Haudenosaunee Nationals, a name that honors their heritage and reflects their status as a leading force in women's lacrosse. This name change is more than symbolic; it represents a commitment to cultural authenticity and promoting Haudenosaunee values within the global sports community.
The current roster boasts remarkable talent from across the Haudenosaunee nations, including players like Ivy Santana (Seneca), Miya Scanlan (Seneca), Taylor Frink (Onondaga), and Jalyn Jimerson (Cayuga), among others. These athletes bring diverse skills and experiences from their respective universities and communities, contributing to a dynamic and cohesive team. Their involvement in top-tier collegiate programs across North America speaks to their individual talents and the growing recognition of Indigenous athletes in lacrosse.
The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women's Lacrosse Team is more than a collection of skilled athletes; it is a family united by a shared heritage and a common goal. Through their participation in international competitions, they showcase their lacrosse prowess and spread the "good medicine" that the game brings, embodying the healing and communal aspects of lacrosse deeply rooted in Haudenosaunee culture.
As the team continues to compete and strive for excellence on the world stage, it carries with it the hopes and pride of its communities. The team's journey challenges the recognition of Indigenous sports teams and paves the way for future generations of Haudenosaunee lacrosse players to shine internationally. The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women's Lacrosse Team embodies the spirit of resilience, cultural pride, and excellence, inspiring fans and aspiring athletes around the globe.
Join us in celebrating all Native women this International Women's Day. Are you a Native female lacrosse player? We would love to hear from you. Reach out to us at info@pnwnativelax.com
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