By Rarihowenna

The Iroquois Nations Cup was scheduled to be held in the Territory of Kahnawake this year but due to the unavailability of a host venue, the most popular tournament of the year amongst the Hodinoshonni (Iroquois) communities have been passed up. The Iroquois Lacrosse Association, the governing body that oversees and sanctions the event, had to find a host in a hurry and they selected the Snake Island Lacrosse Club of Akwesasne as the 2014 hosts. The Snake Island Lacrosse Club has made previous application at hosting this event and they were the second choice to Kahnawake, according to the Iroquois Lacrosse Association. This will be the first time that the Snake Island Lacrosse Club will host the Nations Cup and have named the Anowara'kowa Arena as the home floor for the 4 day tournament, which is scheduled for September 25-28th.

The tournament that began in 1996 has continued to be a highly popular get together and celebration of lacrosse and culture with lacrosse enthusiasts from both United States and Canada. It has been teams from Six Nations that have dominated the Iroquois Territories as the Ohsweken Aces have been named champs in five consecutive years. The Aces however have a lot to brag about, with star power like Cody Jameson, Craig Point and Sid Smith on the roster, all have won major hardware in the past 3 years and this team will be a target from all territorial teams that want the top spot. Jameson, who is currently playing for the Major Series Lacrosse Championship for the defending Mann Cup Champions of Six Nations, said he always looks forward to playing in the Nations Cup. The 2013 Mann Cup MVP said he really looks forward to attending this tournament being hosted by a team that he respects highly. "I look forward to playing in this Nations Cup, the Muskies are a top notch organization and I know they are going to make this a great tourney," said Jameson.

According to the officials of the tournament, this upcoming Nations Cup will reinforce the rules that have been overlooked in the past. "The goal of the Nations Cup, when it originated in 1996, was to showcase the top Onkwehonwe (Native) players from each community and these players would play for the pride of their Nation or Territory," said Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell who along with other lacrosse minds followed through with the redevelopment of this tournament 18 years ago.

To implement and reinforce the structure, the Iroquois Lacrosse Association has named long time Referee in Chief, Robert Francis as the tournament convener. "I look at the Nations Cup as a mini comparison to the World Games and there should be pride in wearing your community's name on a jersey, we need to restore that pride," said Francis. In the past, the tournament has allowed some teams to complement their rosters with players of various Nations; this courtesy will remain with respect to policy and guidelines to smaller populated communities. "I expect to see stronger teams this year," added Francis, who believes the Onondaga Nation and Kahnawake Community will bring stronger clubs to compete for hardware. With the famous foursome of the Thompson brothers, residing and playing in their homelands of the Onondaga Nation this lacrosse season, the Onondaga entry has a strong chance of playing for a medal. The action will take place at the end of September, which gives players that are competing for National Championships plenty of time to heal.

Work is under way for the host community and notifications will be made within the next few days. For team applications, vender space or any other inquiries please direct by email to muskieslacrosse@outlook.com