Lacrosse: The Creator's Game

Think of lacrosse and you might think of prep school boys scurrying and carrying the proverbial big sticks. But this game has an unexpectedly interesting history. The beauty of lacrosse, says the video, is its combination of speed, power, and intricacy--which took on spiritual significance for the pre-Columbian Indians who invented and played lacrosse. By the 1830s, Europeans had co-opted the game for their own amusement, forming leagues in Montreal and entertaining fans like Queen Victoria. By 1856, natives were banned from playing their own game with white men. Lacrosse: The Creator's Game goes on to profile the craftsmen who shape each stick, legendary lacrosse players, and more modern heroes such as the Powless family, which boasts at least three generations of gifted lacrosse players. The video has a choppy feeling, which stems from trying to pack thousands of years into 26 minutes. But junior high kids, for example, might respond to the "full tilt" attitude of lacrosse. Viewers can also learn about the injustices suffered by Native Americans and the ways in which they reclaim and enjoy their own traditions. Recommended for initiating classroom discussion; for others, this is an optional purchase. Aud: J, H, P. (A. Laker)