One Lacrosse Gathering Celebration: Inaugural Event Gets Washington Post Feature

[September 18, 2024]— The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, & Nutrition, The National Fitness Foundation, and the National Park Service hosted the inaugural One Lacrosse Gathering Celebration on September 6-7, 2024. The event celebrated America’s rich cultural heritage through traditional Native American games, with a focus on the origins and modern impact of lacrosse and other native traditions on cultural identity and overall well-being.

Set against the iconic backdrop of the National Mall, this free community event welcomed hundreds of participants to explore and experience the core principles of lacrosse and the healing power of culture: respect, strength, endurance, teamwork, and inclusivity. This event aims to uplift diverse cultures and enhance overall health and well-being while celebrating America’s first games, first foods, and the meaningful intersection of cultural traditions and health.

“Our goal is to highlight the lasting importance of Native traditions, focusing on modern Indigenous perspectives while sharing culture, identity, and inclusion for all through sport and health,” said Ben Jacobs, a member of the President’s Council and Osage Nation. “In supporting the roots of lacrosse and traditional stick games, this event connects local D.C. youth lacrosse groups with national organizations to celebrate inclusivity and diversity.”

The One Lacrosse Gathering featured representation from federal leaders, Tribal communities across the United States, diverse non-profit stakeholders, social players and collegiate athletes, including the Howard and Catholic University Women’s Lacrosse teams helping to teach the game and empower youth attendees. The event, held on the JFK Hockey Fields on the National Mall in Washington, DC, included youth lacrosse clinics, community games for all ages, skill-building sessions, Native hub educational areas, hands-on lacrosse, traditional stick game demos, and more.

The entire event team is looking forward to the One Lacrosse Gathering Celebration’s continued growth in future years.

To read the Washington Post Article, visit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/09/08/lacrosse-national-mall-olympics/

For more information and to stay up to date on next year’s events, visit https://onelacrossegathering.com/