It doesn't get the same attention as hockey, but it is Canada's first national sport, and the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS), N'Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre and Cambrian College want youth in the community to embrace lacrosse.
They are partnering on a seven-week lacrosse skills development program, located at Cambrian's Barry Downe campus.
The Greater Sudbury Police Service, N'Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre, Cambrian College, The Sudbury Rockhounds Lacross Club, The City of Greater Sudbury, SportChek and the Jumpstart program are partners in a youth lacrosse development program in Greater Sudbury.
The program began in early January and continues until the end of March. Other partners in this initiative include the Sudbury Rockhounds Lacrosse Club and the City of Greater Sudbury, with equipment support by SportChek, and a grant from Canadian Tire's Jumpstart program.
Originally launched in 2024, the program was created to support urban Indigenous youth between the ages of five and 17 in Greater Sudbury. This year's program continues that focus while incorporating opportunities for cross-cultural learning, welcoming boys, girls, and Two-Spirited youth into an environment grounded in mentorship, respect and belonging.
Over the coming weeks, participants will learn about Baagaadowewin, the Great Lakes style of lacrosse that has been played by the Anishinaabe People for hundreds of years.
"This program is an opportunity for youth to learn the history and teachings of Baagaadowewin while building skills, confidence, and community through the sacred sport of lacrosse guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings that shape teamwork, respect, and personal growth," says Sara Cunningham, Chief of the Greater Sudbury Police Service. "We are grateful to our partners and supporters for helping create a space where young people can stay active, learn together, and grow together. Lacrosse is more than a game: it's a teaching, a tradition, and a way to connect. Miigwech to everyone who made this program possible."
Participants are grouped by age and skill level and take part in team-based learning, competing and building community as members of Wah-Seh-Seh (Lightning), Niimkii (Thunder), and Shkodeh (Fire).
"The N'Swakamok Indigenous Friendship Centre is honored to collaborate with the GSPS, the Sudbury Rockhounds Lacrosse Club, the City of Greater Sudbury and Cambrian College," says Katie Borne, Coordinator of N'Swakamok's Akwe:Go program for youth. "Our goal is to inspire the future community of all youth through the Seven Grandfather Teachings by incorporating them into their daily lives. Lacrosse teaches us about teamwork, cooperation, collaboration, leadership, which are all building blocks of a healthy community."
"This program reflects the power of collaboration in creating safe, meaningful spaces for young people," adds Thomas Kingston, a faculty member and program coordinator of Cambrian's Police Foundations program. "By bringing together sport, culture, mentorship, and education, this initiative supports youth in building confidence, trust, and a sense of belonging values that align closely with the work we do at Cambrian and the broader goals of community well-being."
Fun facts about lacrosse:
- Lacrosse was played on Turtle Island (North America) hundreds of years before European settlement.
- It was first observed by European (French settlers) in the 1600s.
- Lacrosse was one of the first cultural exchanges between Indigenous people and settlers.
- Lacrosse was declared Canada's national game in 1859.
- Lacrosse was included in the 1904 Olympics.
- Box lacrosse (usually played indoors on surfaces like hockey rinks), was introduced in the 1930s.
- In 1994, lacrosse was named Canada's official summer sport.
For more information
1400 Barrydowne Road
Sudbury Ontario
Canada P3A 3V8
www.cambriancollege.ca/
