Story Published:
Jul 16, 2010
Story Updated:
Jul 16, 2010
WASHINGTON – In a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron, the National Congress of American Indians, the oldest and largest tribal advocacy organization in the United States, has called on the government of the United Kingdom to allow for the entry of the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team, facilitating participation in the World Lacrosse Championships being held in Manchester, England (read the letter).
“We strongly urge the United Kingdom to follow the actions of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and clear the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team, representing the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, for international travel on their Haudenosaunee passports,” said NCAI’s President Jefferson Keel in the letter. “As you are aware, the game of lacrosse is indigenous to Native Americans. … In the view of Native peoples, denying entry to the game’s historical and cultural emissaries is a troubling scenario.”
The letter addressed to Prime Minister Cameron comes shortly after U.S. Secretary Clinton granted a one-time travel waiver to the Iroquois Nationals team on Thursday. The British government followed by announcing that it would not grant entry to the team.
President Keel emphasized in the letter that the legitimate documentation questions have been addressed, as reflected by the U.S. State Department’s waiver for travel. While the Iroquois Nationals team has already missed its first game in the World Championships, the team plans on arriving by Saturday to participate.
The letter to Britain’s leader concludes by stating that the National Congress of American Indians encourages the British government to preserve the sanctity and intent of international gamesmanship and tribal sovereignty.
8:58 PM Wanbli wrote ...
Our autonomous red sovereignty, traditional values and norms of our culture and societies are being exterminated by this Empire and they're gatekeepers of the BIA, IRA and non profit organizations- for greed, and colonial statues. We must teach our Red Children that the things supported by sports fans and the US is for white nationalist dominance and greed to destroy indigenous people not save us. BIA and IRA College minded youth traditional priorities in line with the convictions of those who paid the highest price for human beings to create a Earth free, our ancestors… as authentic tradition and sovereign peoples and nationhood’s that are honest, loyal, honorable, ethical, moral, and intelligent as the universe we exist with. To worry about this at this critical time in the history of the human race is not wise. This is a dangerous situation for our continuing indigenous cultural and physical existence. It’s, not about self but the collective in te cause of red liberation...
47769519Friday, Jul 16 at 11:00 PM alisyn wrote ...
you know if it was a world cup team that was having trouble getting to the host country they would have MADE sure that team got there no problem...and ON TIME...this is getting ridiculous and not letting out players go over to the UK to play OUR sport that THOSE countries and teams already in England adopted from our confederecy. I love the Nationals and I love Lacrosse...it is very sad that our team is having so much trouble getting to the championship.
47724889Friday, Jul 16 at 10:17 PM Cynthia wrote ...
What do you mean to stay home and take care of their fires? Apparently you do not understand the the Sanctity of the Aboriginals as we seem fit to Play our National Game and to Honour The United States of America, and our National Game-- The Fastest Game on Foot!!!!!!!!!!!!!
47722619Friday, Jul 16 at 9:37 PM SO DISAPPOINTED!!!! wrote ...
WHOEVER WROTE THIS COMMENT IS TRAGICALLY IGNORANT, IF IT WAS ANY OTHER ETHNIC GROUP THE TEAMS TRAVEL WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN AN ISSUE...WE ARE ALL ONE RACE AND THAT IS HUMAN.... I HOPE THEY START A FIRE AND YOU FALL ON IT....IGNORANT...GOOD LUCK TO THE TEAM MAY GOD SEE FIT FOR YOU TO MAKE IT AND WIN....
47720104Friday, Jul 16 at 4:54 PM Wanbli wrote ...
They need to stay home and take care of they're fires!
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