05/21/2026
Before a spring women’s lacrosse game in Griswold Stadium, a different form of connection happened on the field. The announcer read a short statement over the intercom, acknowledging the Indigenous origins of lacrosse. “Lacrosse is a Native Game” was printed on a banner that faced spectators.
The competitors circled up, teams intermingled, and athletes passed around a traditional lacrosse stick. It was a quiet moment to reflect on where the game began.
JD Elquist, founder and executive director of PNW Native Lacrosse, guided the pregame ritual, offering a traditional sage smudging ceremony for students who requested it. His nonprofit began working to return lacrosse to its Native origins, often overlooked and misappropriated, in 2023.
The verbal acknowledgment, called “Respect the Roots,” is now an official practice of the Premier Lacrosse League, the sport’s professional organization. In spring 2025, Lewis & Clark was the first adopter.
Read the story through the link below ⬇️
Together with community partner PNW Native Lacrosse, the women’s lacrosse team is elevating the sport’s Indigenous origins, reminding spectators that ...