So, I'm on a bit of a personal mission here, to make sure that the news of what occurred with the Iroquois Nationals does not die. To sum it up, they were invited to the World Games to play Lacrosse, a game that they were the first players of, and England refused to recognize their sovereign right to travel under their own passports. The US stepped in and offered to provide supporting travel waivers, and England refused to accept this as well.
This is a really big issue. The team outlaid a great deal of time, money and effort in order to be at a game the world would not have without them. The closest approximation I can give to this for readers unfamiliar with First Nations, sovereignty issues, or failure to be recognized or acknowledged is this:
Consider that a woman gives birth to a child. That child is her gift to the world, among the many gifts that she has, but she shares this gift with the world. Now imagine that her child is loved by many across the world. Of course, she would take pride in this. Her child has grown and is now being celebrated in another country at a large event. The mother seeks to go to celebrate her child's influence in the world, but she is held back from attending her own child's big moment. Why would this happen? The host government refuses to recognize her passport. In doing so, they refuse to acknowledge her role at all in having brought forth such a wondrous child to be shared and loved so by so many across the world.
I am trying to do my small part to keep this matter on the radar, and support the team. There are many different ways we might help. Donations can be made direction to the team through their website:
www.iroquoisnationals.org
There are some fantastic team logo shirts and jackets currently for sale, and an auction for an official team jersey and shorts set.
The issue of recognition by England is another matter. I've decided to send an email to the Prime Minister of England and would encourage you to do so as well. Their link is:
https://email.number10.gov.uk/
Here is what I wrote:
"Your government's refusal to allow the Iroquois Nationals in to play at the Lacrosse games is highly offensive to many of us. They were the original players of it. I wish you to issue a formal apology to the team and their respective sovereign governments, and change your policies in the future. Their First Nations sovereign right to issue their own passports are unquestionable and your stance indefensible. I personally intend to boycott all products from England and refuse to do business with any corporation that has ties to your Nation, until said apology is formally issued and the policy of animosity toward sovereign First Nations people has changed. Thank you for your consideration."
Please consider forwarding this blog to your friends. They do not need to be First Nations people or Lacrosse fans in order to recognize an injustice. They need only to want to right it.
I'll post updates on the matter as I have them. Thanks all!
Oleander
The closet Lacrosse fan and totally out activist
