Brief+History

Brief History

Culin, Stewart. "Games of the North American Indians." In Twenty-fourth Annual Report of the Bureau of American Ethnology, 1902-1903, pp. 1-840. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1907. []


 * "Lacrosse was one of many varieties of indigenous stickball games being played by American Indians at the time of European contact." pg.1
 * "Traditional lacrosse games were sometimes major events that could last several days. As many as 100 to 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes would participate." pg.1
 * "The games were played in open plains located between the two villages, and the goals could range from 500 yards (460 m) to several miles apart." pg.1
 * "Some games were played to settle inter-tribal disputes. This function was essential to keeping the Six Nations of the Iroquois together. Lacrosse was also played to toughen young warriors for combat, for recreation, as part of festivals, and for the bets involved." pg.1