December 7, 2021

Fair play.
An Irish expression for well done!

I know. I tend to bang on, as they say over there, about Ireland and the Irish. My friends in Ireland often admonish me for putting them on a pedestal. Well, I suppose I do and sometimes wonder if I’m too enthusiastic. And then a story like this comes along.

The Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team registered to compete in the upcoming 2022 World Lacrosse Games. The team represents the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the people who actually invented the game. They call it a medicine game, a gift from the Creator to be played for his enjoyment and for healing. 

However they were excluded from the competition because the International Olympic Committee, apparently the body responsible for such determinations, deemed them ineligible because they were not from a sovereign nation. Seriously? Although the organizers eventually realized their mistake, they said it was too late to allow the Iroquois Nationals to participate.  

This decision sparked an international movement of support. But none matched the response of Ireland’s team. The Ireland team withdrew from the event and gave their place to the Iroquois Nationals team. “We felt really strongly that just putting another graphic on social media saying we support the Iroquois was not the appropriate thing to do because talk is cheap. We very much felt that action was necessary.”

You have gone above and beyond not only for us,
but for what you believe is right.

The Iroquois team was deeply appreciative for the opportunity to compete, but more for the integrity of this action. “We are certainly very thankful and have a great amount of respect for Ireland. Your actions have spoken louder than words showing everyone the true power of sport, and the spirit of lacrosse. We will never forget that.”

Fair play to Ireland’s team. So excuse me for yet again banging on about the Irish. Now….where did I put that pedestal?

Beannacht,
Judith – judith@stonefires.com