Shutterstock.com (background); John Spaulding/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc.
Go for the Goal!
Jheneli loves playing lacrosse with her friends—and celebrating her people.
As You Read: Think about why lacrosse is so important to Jheneli.
Jheneli Skye Huff sprints down the field. The 8-year-old from Gowanda, New York, carries a ball in a long stick. Suddenly, she stops and flings the ball. It flies into a goal. Swish!
Jheneli has just scored a goal in a sport called lacrosse.
Jheneli Skye Huff sprints down the field. The 8-year-old lives in Gowanda, New York. She carries a ball in a long stick. Suddenly, she stops and flings the ball. It flies into a net. Swish!
Jheneli has just scored a goal in a sport called lacrosse.
A Long Tradition
John Spaulding/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc.
Jheneli (left)
Lacrosse is more than a sport for Jheneli. It’s a tradition. People have played it for thousands of years.
Jheneli and her family belong to an Indigenous (in-DIH-jeh-nuhss) people called the Seneca Nation of Indians. Hundreds of years ago, the Seneca and other Indigenous peoples started playing lacrosse. They used wooden sticks to catch and throw a ball. The ball was made of wood or deerskin and fur.
In the past, lacrosse games took up a lot of space. Hundreds of people played at one time. The players ran through miles of forests, and games could last for days. They were peaceful ways to end arguments. Instead of fighting or going to war, people played lacrosse to figure out who would win.
Lacrosse is more than a sport for Jheneli. It’s a tradition. People have played it for thousands of years.
Jheneli and her family belong to an Indigenous (in-DIH-jeh-nuhss) people called the Seneca Nation of Indians. Hundreds of years ago, the Seneca and other Indigenous peoples started playing lacrosse. They used wooden sticks to catch and throw a ball. The ball was often made of wood. It could also be made with deerskin and fur.
In the past, lacrosse games took up a lot of space. Hundreds of people played at one time. The players ran through miles of forests. Games could last for days. People played lacrosse instead of fighting or going to war. The games were peaceful ways to end arguments.
National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution
A drawing of Seneca from the past playing lacrosse
A New Way to Play
Today, some Indigenous people still play lacrosse to end arguments. But many play it for fun. Jheneli likes the way playing the game makes her feel.
She says, “I like being strong and helping my body be healthy.”
Over time, the game has changed. Now sticks are metal, and the ball is rubber. Only 20 to 24 people play at a time, and games are less than two hours.
Today, some Indigenous people still play lacrosse to end arguments. But many play it for fun. Jheneli likes the way playing the game makes her feel.
She says, “I like being strong and helping my body be healthy.”
Lacrosse has changed over time. Now sticks are metal, and the ball is rubber. Only 20 to 24 people play at a time. Games are less than two hours.
John Spaulding/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc.
Jheneli and her team get ready for a fun game.
Pause And Think
Are there any traditions that have been passed down in your family?
Are there any traditions that have been passed down in your family?
“We Get Powerful”
Minnesota Historical Society Photographic Collection (ball); NMAI Photo Services (stick)
This is what a lacrosse ball and stick looked like long ago!
The lacrosse tradition has been passed down through Jheneli’s family. Her mom played, and she started teaching Jheneli how to play two years ago. They invited other girls to join.
Jheneli says, “I was nervous. I had never met these people before.”
More and more girls showed up to play. They named themselves the Seneca Girls Lacrosse Team. Now they have 31 players. The girls have fun and learn to work together as a team.
“I don’t feel nervous when I play anymore,” Jheneli says.
Are you curious about lacrosse? Jheneli thinks you should try it.
“We make new friends, we get stronger, we get powerful, and we have fun!” she says.
The lacrosse tradition has been passed down through Jheneli’s family. Her mom played, and she started teaching Jheneli how to play two years ago. They invited other girls to join.
Jheneli says, “I was nervous. I had never met these people before.”
More and more girls showed up to play. They named themselves the Seneca Girls Lacrosse Team. Now they have 31 players. The girls have fun. They also learn to work together as a team.
“I don’t feel nervous when I play anymore,” Jheneli says.
Are you curious about lacrosse? Jheneli thinks you should try it.
“We make new friends, we get stronger, we get powerful, and we have fun!” she says.
3 Facts About the Seneca
Learn more about Jheneli’s people.
Learn more about Jheneli’s people.
John Spaulding/AP Images for Scholastic, Inc.
1. How many people are in the Seneca Nation of Indians?
The Seneca Nation has a population of about 8,000 citizens. While the Seneca Nation is part of the United States, it has its own laws, government, and police force.
2. What language do the Seneca speak?
Most speak English. Some elders, or leaders, also speak the Seneca language. In that language, you could say nyawëh sgënö’ (NYAH-weh sgeh-NOH) as a greeting or welcome.
1. How many people are in the Seneca Nation of Indians?
The Seneca Nation has a population of about 8,000 citizens. While the Seneca Nation is part of the United States, it has its own laws, government, and police force.
2. What language do the Seneca speak?
Most speak English. Some elders, or leaders, also speak the Seneca language. In that language, you could say nyawëh sgënö’ (NYAH-weh sgeh-NOH) as a greeting or welcome.
Philip Scalia/Alamy Stock Photo
A Seneca longhouse
3. What kind of homes did Jheneli’s ancestors live in?
Hundreds of years ago, the Seneca lived in longhouses made of wood and bark. They could be 100 feet long and house up to 60 people!
3. What kind of homes did Jheneli’s ancestors live in?
Hundreds of years ago, the Seneca lived in longhouses made of wood and bark. They could be 100 feet long and house up to 60 people!
1. What does the author mean when she writes that “lacrosse is more than a sport for Jheneli”?
2. What are two ways lacrosse has changed over time?
3. According to the sidebar, “3 Facts About the Seneca,” what is a longhouse?
1. What does the author mean when she writes that “lacrosse is more than a sport for Jheneli”?
2. What are two ways lacrosse has changed over time?
3. According to the sidebar, “3 Facts About the Seneca,” what is a longhouse?
