Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation

Documentary Feature

102 minute running time

Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation is no ordinary sports documentary. By taking people on a journey exploring the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) roots of the ancient sport of lacrosse we create an opportunity for a new conversation about sports and culture.

The story is told for the first time from a purely Native American perspective and illuminates both spiritual and physical aspects of what is called “the Creator’s Game.” This reminder of the interplay of how the game came to be and why it is revered as medicine is a teaching that is universal. It brings to light intense subject matter within an unexpected frame of a sports arena. The real and intergenerational challenges of racism, sovereignty and the introduction of the Doctrine of Discovery are all on the forefront of this feature length documentary film. When the Iroquois Nationals take the world stage as ambassadors for their sport, they feel they are playing for all Native people. Featuring the Thompson Brothers — Miles, Jeremy, Jerome, and Lyle—lacrosse is a symbol of family and tradition across cultures and generations. They are recognized as the top lacrosse players in the world, sponsored by Nike and leading youth camps across the country.

For native people lacrosse is much more than a game.

PRESS 
"…the most ambitious, broad-sweeping and beautifully shot lacrosse film to date"
—Inside Lacrosse

"It provides the kind of window into another culture's belief system that sports films rarely attempt"
— LA Times

"Viewpoints from the athletes provide a snapshot of the history of lacrosse, the sacrifices made by the players and families, and the cultural importance of the game."
— Indian Country Today

AWARDS
Red Nation Film Festival
Best Feature-length Documentary Film