History of Native American Sports

Native American Sports Culture and History:

Chunky Artifacts:

Hoop and Pole (Chunkey):

Hoop made from tree branches and twigs

Examples of original stone disks used in game play

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Examples of the spear-like polls thrown at the disks or hoops.

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Historical Background: The games origins trace back to Cahokia ( 600 CE ) and civilizations in the Mississippian river valley. The game was played throughout North America with slight variations based on tribes and geographic location.

Equipment:

• The hoop - either made from fresh branches or stone ranging from a few inches to 2 feet in diameter;
• The pole - a stick or reed ranging from 2-6 feet in diameter.

Rules: The rules varied per tribe and region. The general goal of the game was to throw the pole through the hoop, which would be rolled by the opposing player. Points would be awarded based on the accuracy of the throw and where the pole landed.

Cultural Significance: Although a form of entertainment the game had symbolic significance as well. The game was often played at religious events and during festivities. Gambling on winners was also a cultural tradition of many tribes.

Hoop and Pole Then and Now:

• Hard to find present day sports equivalent.
• The game is still popular and played by Native Americans today.
• It has its closest ties with the presence of Native American casinos today and the cultural tradition of gambling on games.

by Taber Rueter, Tyler Dulemba, Robert DeLuca, and Dan Ippolito

Pasuckuakohowg Artifacts :

Pasuckuakohowog:

Example of the ball used to play to Pasuckuakohowog.

Painting depicting early Native Americans practicing the sport.

American Indian Sports Heritage and its Cultural Evolution:

Historical Background: A Native American game similar to modern day soccer. Pasuckuakohowog literally translates to "they gather to play ball with the foot." There are records that show it was played starting in the 17th century. The game played primarily by Powhatan and Algonquin tribes took place on beaches and fields with goals up to a half-mile-wide and set one mile apart.

Equipment: The only real equipment used was the ball, normally made from tightly wound leather/animal hides.

Rules: The objective was to advance the ball using no hands and primarily the feet. Aiming to shoot the ball through the other teams goal. No rules existed to minimize physical contact as the game was played in a very aggressive and violent manner.

Cultural Significance: Up to 500 people played Pasuckuakohowog, and many games had up to 1000 players. These games were not very nice and incredibly violent. It was quite often that players would retire with broken bones and other serious injuries. In fact the game closely resembled and was though to symbolize warfare against other tribes. Players normally wore ornaments and war paint to disguise themselves from retaliation after the game. At the end of the match both sides would meet for a celebratory feast.

Pasuckuakohowog Then and Now:

• Soccer is perhaps the most popular sport internationally today.
• With soccer generally believed to have been brought over to America through Ellis Island, Pasuckuakohowog history indicates that some form of soccer may have been played well before then in North America.
• Modern day soccer played on much smaller field with less players.
• Soccer play today is almost the complete opposite of the warfare like approach taken by Native American tribes.
• Yet the main purpose and objective are very similar.

Main Purpose: is to provide insight into the historical background of Native American sports, as well as the cultural significance of each sport and its evolution if any into the modern sports world.

Intended Audience: We believe it would have appeal to the general public since sports can serve as a common interest and hobby among all ages, races, and cultures.

Presentation: The exhibit will serve as a "forum" for Native American sports culture, in hopes that it can provide a common link between American Indian culture and modern day generations.

Shinny Then and Now:

• Ice and field hockey are both popular sports played today.
• Hockey sticks used today closely resemble the ones used by Native Americans.
• Rules of scoring and overall object of the game are practically identical.
• Modern applications played on a much smaller field and with a designated amount of players.
• Modern games have also incorporated numerous safety precautions such as protective equipment.

Shinny:

Historical Background: Games similar to Shinny have traces back to Greeks and Egyptians, as the sport appears to have been invented independently by various cultures throughout time. One of the most popular sports across North America for Native Americans. Depending on the tribe men, women, and even children may have participated.

Equipment:

• Wooden stick curved at the end ranging from 3-4 feet in length.
• The other element was a hard ball roughly 3 inches in diameter made from wood or leather.

Rules: Like modern versions the objective was to advance the ball down field and shoot it through the opponents goal. Variations on how to start game depended on tribe traditions. There were often no limits to the amount of players allowed, and fields could stretch to an excess of a mile long.

Cultural Significance: Participants in the game did not generally attach ceremonial significance to the game, like other sports. However, shinny was sometimes played as part of festivities in association with an important time of year or celebration and serving more as a community activity for most tribes.

Shinny Artifacts:

Traditional Shinny stick

Photograph of Lengua Indians playing their version of field hockey

Exhibition Location:

Original shinny stick and ball used during games

• Located at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC.

Exhibit Layout and Design

• Exhibit located on the 4th floor of the museum.
• Will contain in-depth written and visual presentations of at least 4 traditional Native American sports.

Lacrosse Artifacts:

Exhibit Layout:

• The exhibition will be an open floor design, allowing visitors to walk freely to browse each individual exhibit.

Each sport will have its own exhibit demonstrating:

• The historical background of the sport.
• Rules and equipment used.
• Its importance to Native American culture.
• A section showing the influence on modern day sports and its similarities/differences.
• Visual aids - original artifacts, equipment, pictures, and perhaps even videos.

Meskwaki lacrosse stick made from wood and leather

Painting depicting traditional appearance of Native lacrosse players.

Original lacrosse balls made from animal hides

Lacrosse Then and Now:

Lacrosse :

• Has evolved into one of the fastest growing sports today.
• Creation of the MLL.
• Modern Equipment very similar to that used by Native Americans.
• Many of the rules including the face-off are still used today.
• Modern game is not played on nearly as a large a scale and is much safer.
• Games now last 2.5 hours max as opposed to days.

Historical Background: Evidence suggests that the game may have started as early as 1100 in North America. Primarily played by males, the game was played by tribes across the eastern part of North America from Florida to Canada.

Equipment:

• Lacrosse racquet - shaft made from wood normally and the pocket was formed by weaving either animal hides or young saplings (varied in length based on tribes).
• Lacrosse ball - made from animal hides ranging from 3-5 inches in diameter.

Rules: The game would begin with two players facing off in the center of the field. Once the ball was in play the overall objective was to advance the ball down field and into the goal of the other team. Games often were very violent and physical as rules limiting contact and physicality were non-existent. Games were played on a grand scale involving 1000's of players, on a field that stretched from about 500 meters to 3 kilometers long, taking days to complete.

Cultural Significance: The game in general was played as part of a ritual ceremony, meant to symbolize warfare among tribes. According to Jesuit and French Observes the game was also an important healing ritual for many tribes.

Design and Layout: