(June 26, 2018) Akwesasne will host the 2018 Canadian Lacrosse Association Junior B Founder’s Cup.

The championship games will be held at Anowarakowa Arena from Aug. 12 to 19.

The CLA announced moving the games from Seneca Nation territory to Akwesasne “with mixed emotions” and cited cross-border travel difficulties.

“The CLA Box Sector had approved in principle that the 2018 Founder’s Cup be held in Seneca, New York, on the condition that game officials could successfully and legally enter the U.S. for the tournament. The host organizing committee – which included the First National Lacrosse Association (FNLA), First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League (FNJBLL) and Seneca War Chiefs – was given a deadline of June 15, 2018 to have a confirmation of work visas for all travelling officials,” the league said in an announcement. “However, despite their hard work and diligent pursuit, the hosts were unable to secure work visas for officials by the required deadline.”

“It’s been 20 years since this tournament was held in Akwesasne and we’re going to make sure its return to our community is one of the best ever,” Kariwate Mitchell, Medicine Men coach and general manager, said in an announcement.

“The CLA would like to thank the FNLA and FNJBLL for their hard work in seeking a solution to the cross-border issue,” Ron McQuarrie, CLA box sector chair, said in the release. “The lack of success on this issue is a result of factors beyond the control of the host organizing committee.”

At an executive Board meeting on June 18, the First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League announced that it had selected the Bear’s Den Mohawk Medicine Men as the new host team for the event.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for the Seneca War Chiefs organization as they put a lot of time and resources to have the games played on their homelands,” said FNJBLL Commissioner Robert Burr. “However, we are confident that the Mohawk Medicine Men will put on a first-class tournament.”

The recently renovated Anowarakowa Arena last hosted the Founders’ Cup in 1998.

The Junior B national championship, which has been won by Ontario Lacrosse Association representatives for the past seven years, will feature a handful of teams from Canadian and American leagues.

Additional information on the event will be posted online in the coming months.

The Canadian Lacrosse Association website is http://www.lacrosse.ca. They are also on Facebook and Twitter.