Six Nations team refuse to play until lacrosse association makes changes to combat racism

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A Six Nations lacrosse team has withdrawn from competition and said it will not play again until the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) makes changes to address what players describe as incidents of racism and years of disrespect.

Members of the Six Nations Tomahawks Senior Lacrosse Club were scheduled to compete in a senior series lacrosse tournament last weekend, but declined to play, as Smart Sports Network first reported.

Instead, the team posted a statement on social media saying they were taking a stand, pointing to experienced games in St. Catharines on July 24 and 25.

“This incident stems from the RACISM that we have suffered for too long”, we can read.

“We have put up with racial slurs, rules broken, rules ignored, fan abuse, and the list goes on. Our teams have been targeted for years and generations with blatant disrespect while we are the creators of this beautiful game that we love and cherish. “

Lucas Smith, a Tomahawks player, said a scrum was at the heart of the incident that triggered the declaration, adding that a player on the opposing team was acting in an unsportsmanlike manner.

As the two fought in the box, Smith said their family members exchanged words in the stands.

He alleged that a supporter of the other team pulled out a pepper spray.

Jeramie Bailey, OLA athletic director, said there was an incident between spectators involving a report of pepper spray and the association ordered the team to contact police.

A Niagara Police spokesperson said the service investigated and found no criminal offenses.

“Generations of unfair treatment”

While the most recent incident caused the Tomahawks to withdraw from the game, Smith said their decision was not based on a single interaction. Instead, it was the culmination of years of feeling targeted and belittled.

“We decided to say enough is enough and we agreed as a team to take a stand. It has been years and generations of unfair treatment,” he said.

“Since we shared the game with the world, we’ve been treated quite unfairly and disrespectfully in a game that we love and want to share with everyone, but the racism is kind of showing up.”

The team claim that Indigenous players have been subjected to years of unfair treatment and disrespect. (Six Nations Tomahawks / Twitter)

Smith described racism as a “scourge” to lacrosse and said the team wanted the OLA to take action.

The Tomahawks are asking the association to create a video on cultural sensitivity and its code of conduct for participating teams to watch, Smith said.

They also seek to see Aboriginal culture better represented.

“We think we are the creators of the game, we care so much about this game, we should be able to have a say in how it is shaped and how it is played and how it plays out on and off the ground. “said Smith.

Bailey said he thought the type of video the Tomahawks suggested was a “fantastic idea” the OLA is open to.

“I agree that the code of conduct should probably be part of it as well,” he said.

The association follows this code, has an anti-harassment policy and also adheres to the rules of the Canadian Lacrosse Association, which specifically deal with derogatory and racist language, according to Bailey.

“One hundred percent, categorically, the OLA condemns all forms of racism, be it words or actions, that violate people’s right to participate.”

Stand up for a better future for lacrosse

The athletic director said the OLA is in communication with the Tomahawks and is working to welcome them back.

“These conversations are rooted in making these teams feel both welcome and appreciated and a part of the league,” he said.

Smith said it was “huge” that the OLA was willing to come to the table, but it’s not enough to talk, change has to happen.

The team’s position is to ensure that future generations of Indigenous lacrosse players do not have to go through the same experiences as the Tomahawks.

“We want to play more than anything, but we also think that we can’t do it until we know something is going to be done,” said Smith. “Not just for this season, but for now.”

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