By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
Students at Naahii Ridge Public School learned about Canada’s national summer sport through a collaboration with the Eelnaapèewii Lahkèewiit Delaware Nation.
Garrette Stonefish and Shaun Glover-Noah, two junior players from Moraviantown, visited Naahii Ridge in December for a day to give students a hands-on learning experience in lacrosse.
Stonefish is the Play Community Mentor at Eelunaapeewi Lahkèewiit, while Glover-Noah is an Instructor and Community Member.
Both played junior lacrosse with the Wallaceburg Red Devils.
Stonefish and Glover-Noah demonstrated the basic skills of the sport, showing the students how to use the stick’s webbing to carry, pass, catch and shoot the ball from a standing position and while running.
Students were allowed to grab a stick to try to perform the skills themselves.
Andrea Tobias, Primary Student Success Worker in the Eelnaapèewii Lahkèewiit Education Department, set up the special clinic with Jason Dick, Physical Education teacher at Nahii Ridge.
“It’s for students to have the opportunity to embrace the Creator’s Game,” Tobias said. “The students learn about lacrosse while building physical skills, teamwork and having fun.”
“We’re fortunate to have connections from the Eelunaapeewi Lahkèewiit community to bring this to the children,” said Tobias.
This was the second year Naahii Ridge students enjoyed a hands-on lacrosse clinic, as the first session was held during Treaty Week (Nov. 3-9, 2024).
Lacrosse is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins traced back to the 12th Century among Indigenous Peoples.
Lacrosse was designated as Canada’s official summer sport in 1993.
However, Wallaceburg is the only community in Chatham-Kent that offers organized lacrosse programs – the Griffins’ minor teams and Red Devils’ junior team.
Instructional clinics to introduce the game to young students, such as the sessions at Naahii Ridge, will entice more kids to try the sport and hopefully lead adults to start programs in other communities.
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