Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Several local lacrosse players and supporters of our game were honored last weekend for their love and dedication to the game.

At the ceremony held at Brass Horse eight players and builders were accepted into the Hall of Fame. The players were from the 1970's and 80's and played with or against each other.

Master of Ceremonies and Hall of Fame board member Peter Garrow recognized their past accomplishments.

"It comes with great honor that we, for 2018, recognize a number of great players, great people, great builders that continue the long tradition of lacrosse for all of us. That this honor that goes out to them goes back generations and generations," said Garrow.

He also acknowledged the fine job from the HOF committee to recognize these contributors but also to carry on that work for future generations, not just for Akwesasne, but nationally.

The first big step was to get Akwesasne players inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in St. Catharines, Ontario.

"Through us we have inducted players into the Ontario Hall of Fame and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame from Six Nations and Kahnawake and will continue to do that," he said.

Chief Eric Thompson from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe represented the Tribe and said how proud they were of the accomplishments. He talked about the importance of the game and he was honored to be a part of the recognition.

"This is a sport, a healing ritual, they say it is a medicine game that is played with spirit, determination and courage," said Thompson.

The inductees were (in the players category), Ben Benedict, Frank Roundpoint, Larry King, Barry Powless and Mark Thomas.

In the Builders category were the late Barbara Barnes, Lewis Morris, Roy Ledoux and Mark Mitchell.

Also recognized at last weekend's event were the 1920's Field Lacrosse team. Those members were Abe Jacobs, Peter Garrow, Louie Mussel, Louie Jacobs, Dave Terrance, Louie Jacobs, Peter Jacobs, Tom Thomas, Simon Mitchell, Tom Sam, Big John Jacobs, Peter Johnson, Tom Foote, Frank Rourke, Peter Thomas, Angus Smith and Peter Jacobs.

Peter Garrow said this was a fine collection of players but they were unable to play for outside teams because of their Native heritage. So they changed their names to be able to play.

"Prior to 1920 a lot of these players couldn't play for organized lacrosse teams from Montreal, Ottawa, Cornwall even, and Toronto, but they did play and play under an assumed name and they were able to play in 1920," said Garrow.

He added how many future lacrosse players and Hall of Famers are related to these men and how he was amazed of how much in shape they were.

Hall of Fame Committee member and local lacrosse legend Dave White was absent from the ceremony so he had fellow member Rusty Doxtator relay his well wishes to the inductees. First on White's list was the infamous Thunderbird vs. Warriors rivalry in Senior B in the 1980's. White had played for the Akwesasne Warriors against most of the fellow inductees.

"It showcased the multitude of talented Akwesasronon players who frequently met in the league championship series. It was a memorable era in Senior B lacrosse that drew so many community members to cheer on their respective teams," wrote White.

He made note of Honoree Barbara Barnes being one of the loudest in the arena screaming "Go T-Birds, Go!"

Second on White's list was to say how proud he was of the accomplishments of his former players – the Thompson brothers.

Myles, Lyle, Jerome and Jeremy Thompson's many accomplishments are too lengthy to list, but all made the professional ranks in the National Lacrosse League. They cut their teeth in the Akwesasne Minor Lacrosse league but White first had a chance to coach Lyle at Salmon River.

"I spoke to Board of Ed director Ben Kelly and told him of a very special young man who was the most complete lacrosse player I had ever seen. Doc Kelly asked, 'Is he that good?' To answer Doctor Kelly, Lyle became the highest scorer in NCAA Division 1 history. So we know the answer to that question," said White.

Inductee Barry Powless' career goes back to the 1970's St. Regis Mohawks Junior.

During that time he played with several of the inductees. He spoke to the Brass Horse ceremony about their playing styles. Aside from Akwesasne, he played across the country and the world with the Iroquois Nationals and picked up more accolades. After his distinguished playing career, which included a pair of President's Cups, a Mann Cup and an ILA Championship, ended, Powless began a distinguished career behind the bench. He won two professional championships (Rochester and Buffalo) and also helmed the Iroquois Nationals in International play. One of the inductees who played under legendary lacrosse coach Frank Benedict was Mark Thomas - and he was a teammate of Powless.

Mark Thomas was one of the upstart Cornwall Island Thunderbirds. He loved the intense competition against reserve rival Akwesasne Warriors in the Quebec Sr. ranks.

That rivalry and the game in general was one of Thomas' best times.

"Those were some really fun, packed houses. We always ended up in the playoffs against each other."

That sentiment carried over ten years later with the start of the Akwesasne Thunder vs. Outlaws rivalry. Thomas was one of a handful of players who wore both jerseys.

At the time some people said it wasn't right for brothers to be hacking away at each other on the floor but after the game it was a different story.

"We all ended up in the same place after the game," he said.

Thomas thanked his coaches, teammates and opponents and his father - Ron Thomas - for instilling the love for lacrosse.

"I played lacrosse because I loved it, it was in my blood. It was something that I had to do every spring. It was never a goal to be in the Hall of Fame. It was just something that I had to do, I love the game. I can't say enough of it," said Thomas.

Ben Benedict, son of legendary player, coach and GM Frank Benedict, began his love of lacrosse helping run the 1970 St. Regis Braves as the water boy and trainer. He got off the bench in 1973 to play Junior in Valleyfield. He returned to the Akwesasne ranks for the rest of his career in the Juniors, Seniors, Old Sticks and Masters. His championship trophy case includes the 1980 Akwesasne Warriors Rookie of the Year, 1991 Old Sticks Coaches award and two Canadian Masters championships in 1992 and '95. In between he won a few championships in the A division of the Dave "Chuggo" Jacobs Memorial lacrosse tournaments. Off the floor he was a coach of local Minor teams and won provincial championships, and in 2002 was the Cornwall Lions Club Coach of the Year.

LARRY KING

M.C. Peter Garrow said Inductee Larry King was one of his players over the years and admired his athleticism and leadership. That leadership quality gave him the Captain's C many times. Lacrosse was not the only sport King played and he had other passions off the floor.

"He excelled in the game and played for many championship teams in Akwesasne. He excelled at other sports-Golden Gloves boxing champion, and he helped put the Akwesasne Powwow on the map for years to come," said Garrow.

King thanked his family and the Hall of Fame committee for getting him in the Hall and that he was proud to be included with teammates and opponents of the past.

"I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate my fellow inductees, guys I grew up playing with and against," said King.

Over the years King has many titles and memories but the one that stands out was in 1995. A first for Akwesasne and he was proud to be the captain of that club.

"Finally winning the Presidents Cup, being captain of the team made it extra special," he said.

FRANK ROUNDPOINT

Mike Mitchell said Frank Roundpoint's passion to compete began playing football in the yard at a young age. He played with older relatives like Cousin Bruce and Uncle Wallace and competed hard against them. After a stint in goal early in his lacrosse career he moved up the floor. He picked up Junior championships in the 1980's. On the way to a President's Cup that family tradition of competitive spirit was sparked once again when he battled brother Bill in the ILA.

Upon accepting his award Frank acknowledged the recent passing of two greats who have had a major influence on him: Mike Benedict Sr. and Greg Tarbell. Frank also acknowledged his President's Cup champion Captain Larry King and the Hall of Fame committee for accepting him.

BUILDERS

In the builders category was the late Barbara Barnes. Akwesasne H.O.F. Chairman Mike Mitchell shared with the ceremony Barb's love of the game and the lengths she went to.

"She was a person who was so devoted to the game that there was nothing she wouldn't do. She volunteered minor lacrosse to senior. She went to meetings, CLA, Iroquois Lacrosse League. She ran the Travelling College with me so I knew firsthand her love of lacrosse," said Mitchell.

Even when she was too sick to get around she wanted to keep in touch with what was going on. One who has that heart for the game deserves to be accepted into the Hall of Fame.

"You can tell whenever we have someone in our community that is that devoted to our game that you know sometime you have to honor that person," said Mitchell.

Her award was accepted by sister Leona Barnes who said Barbara had been around the game so much she had many proud moments, but one highlight stuck out.

"Her proudest moment was when she got to see her nephew play with the Iroquois Nationals," said Barnes.

MARK MITCHELL

Over the years Mohawk International Lacrosse has been providing sticks to local players and one of the men responsible was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Builders category- Mark Mitchell. It has been said over time that Akwesasne's Roundpoint Lacrosse factory was one of the world's largest suppliers of wooden sticks. Once that reign ended with a fire, production went down and was close to dying out with a handful a scattered factories in Indian Country. MIL is bringing Lacrosse stick making to the forefront with other local companies bringing it back.

ROY LEDOUX

Many epic battles have taken place in the 1970's and 80's between Cornwall and Akwesasne teams. The person that many a local player had to beat between the pipes was Roy Ledoux. His commitment to lacrosse was recognized at the Brass Horse ceremony as a builder but he was also known as a Minor Lacrosse League President, Referee, Coach, Executive, and in 2015 a Founders Cup Champion. He was the drive behind bringing Senior "B" back to Cornwall in the early 80's, Junior back to Cornwall in 2006 and Minor Lacrosse to Hawkesbury in the 1990's.

Since 2009 he has managed the Akwesasne Indians Junior "B" lacrosse club featuring that Founders Cup win. He was proud to be involved with the game over the years and to be associated with Akwesasne. Although he was best known for playing against the natives, he was recently told he shares our philosophy of the game.

"We used to have some heated battles with you guys. The game is a passion, I believe the game found me. Once I was bitten and I love to play and love to do now what I do with the Jr. Indians. Somebody said today this game is my medicine too," said Leroux.