~Submitted by Bedford Youth Lacrosse, Bedford Embraces Diversity, and the Parents Diversity Council
The free event will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 4-6 pm at John Glenn Middle School.
Bedford Youth Lacrosse, Bedford Embraces Diversity, and the Parents Diversity Council are proud to announce a special event to take place on Saturday, October 8, from 4-6 pm at John Glenn Middle School in Bedford. “The Creator’s Game: The Indigenous Roots of Lacrosse” this group conversation will explore the oldest sport on Turtle Island (North America) through a discussion with two Indigenous leaders with deep roots in the sport: Rev. Sakoneseriiosta Brent J. Maracle (Mohawk) and Zed Williams (Seneca). After their talks, which will take place in the JGMS auditorium, visit the educational booths, art activities, and the Bedford Youth Lacrosse area in the gym. Families and community members of all ages are welcome and event is free.
Zed Williams is a professional lacrosse player who plays for the Whipsnakes (Premier Lacrosse League) and the Colorado Mammoth (National Lacrosse League). Zed Williams grew up on the Cattaraugus Reservation just south of Buffalo where he attended Silver Creek High School. Post high school, he attended University of Virginia where he received USILA All-American and Inside Lacrosse All-American honorable mentions. Additionally, he was All-ACC and on the Tewaaraton Trophy watch list. Since graduating from UVA in 2017, Williams has four years of professional playing experience under his belt. Emerging as a key attackman for the champion Whipsnakes, Williams finished the 2020 PLL Championship Series tournament as the leader in both goals (20) and shots (59). Williams’ dominant performance in the Championship Game, saw him named to the All-Tournament Team and take home the MVP. Williams additionally was named the McEneaney Attackman of the Championship Series for his performances. Watch this short video to learn how Zed Williams’ upbringing on the Cattaraugus Reservation in upstate New York impacted his evolution as a professional lacrosse player.
Rev. Sakoneseriiosta Brent Maracle is a member of the Turtle Clan and a citizen of the Mohawk Nation. Sakoneseriiosta was raised on Akwesasne Mohawk Nation Territory, where his wife, Shana, and their 6 children have their home. Their eldest son, Oneniotekó:wa, plays Division 1 lacrosse at Lafayette College, as well as Junior A box lacrosse for the Six Nations Arrows. His two eldest sons, Oneniotekó:wa and Rarihwenote, played on the Haudenosaunee Jr Lacrosse league at the IIJL 2022 World Jr Lacrosse championship winning the Silver medal. His youngest son, Oronhiatehka, was recently chosen to play for the prestigious Colonials team for Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse.
Sakoneseriiosta played for the Haudenosaunee Nationals (fmr. Iroquois Nationals) 1989- 1995. He has a Bachelors degree in Government and Communications from Evangel University, and a Masters (in Government) from Harvard. Sakoneseriiosta is the Chief of Native American Fellowship of the Assemblies of God. Together, Rev. Maracle and Shana pastor Christ Revolution Church in Lexington, MA. Maracle also serves the Haudenosaunee as General Manager to the Haudenosaunee Lacrosse program, which recently took the silver medal at the IIJL 2022 World Jr Lacrosse Championship and the Gold medal at the IIJL 2022 World U16 World Championship. He is the Chief Economic Strategist for Quill Solutions LLC, consulting with governments of First Nations, American Indian nations, and Alaska Natives.
Post-discussion activities in the JGMS gym include booths hosted by Bedford Youth Lacrosse, Bedford Embraces Diversity, Parents Diversity Council, Crafts for Justice, and an Indigenous and black history display by Town Historian Sharon MacDonald. For more information, please visit BedfordLacrosse.org or email [email protected] or view the Facebook Event at https://fb.me/e/2OWr1ZHXO.
About Bedford Youth Lacrosse:
Establish in 1997, Bedford Youth Lacrosse (BYL) is a non-profit youth sports organization based in Bedford, MA. The program hosts children from the local Bedford and Hanscom AFB community with the goal to teach them the sport of lacrosse. The program is managed and operated by a dedicated Board of Directors, volunteer coaches, and parents. BYL participates in the Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse League (boys) and Founders Lacrosse League (girls). You can discover and register at BedfordLacrosse.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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