Mitchell Mike

Article by Cheryl Brink
Standard-Freeholder
April 19, 2011

Akwesasne - While Mike Mitchell was on hiatus from his passion of politics and community service, he turned his attention to another of his favourite things: lacrosse.

In 2003, the current grand chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne was retired and "looking for something to do,'' he said. As the only Native representative to the Canadian Lacrosse Association, he decided to raise the profile of First Nations players by writing a book on the country's national summer sport. Mitchell crisscrossed Canada a few times visiting other aboriginal communities and gathering information for the project. "I traveled there and documented stories," he said. "I let them tell their story.''

He said the game has changed a lot in the last century, but also declined in popularity. The days of every small community supporting a lacrosse team are over. Many towns moved their players indoors because of weather conditions. A pro league formed. "But the average person doesn't know that much about it," said Mitchell.

He hopes his book will change that, as it details the evolution of the sport, the inception of various lacrosse organizations, and profiles six aboriginal communities that are deeply involved in the game. "It's part of our culture and history,'' he said."It has cultural and spiritual significance, especially for the Iroquois and Mohawk!'' He said the game was so important, many players wanted their lacrosse stick put in their casket with them when they died. "It's not just a sport," he added. "It went way beyond that with us.''

After Mitchell returned to politics and was elected to the council, he said it was difficult to find time to finish his research and writing. He took another three years off before becoming grand chief in 2009. "I really wanted to finish the book,'' he said. He said he's thrilled to finally hold the finished product in his hands, with stories of major players as well as information about Akwesasne's Native North American Travelling College, which will receive all of the proceeds from sales of the book. "I'm donating everything to future publications coming out of the college,'' said Mitchell, adding
that there are plenty of aspiring writers in the community who will benefit from the support.

So far, a thousand copies have been ordered by the Canadian Lacrosse Association. "I think it will do well," said Mitchell. The book can be purchased through the college.