This photo shows lacrosse player Harry Newman in a 1930s studio portrait. Lacrosse has its roots in the culture of the Haudenosaunee First Nations people, where it has been played for hundreds of years to honour the Creator.
People of the Squamish Nation also played a similar game known as K’exwa7 or stick ball, in pre-contact times.
By the 1880s organized lacrosse matches were being played in B.C., but it was the dream of Andy Paull to take the sport back to its Indigenous roots and he organized an all-Indigenous team in North Vancouver called the North Shore Indians. They became the province’s “most exciting team,” packing arenas to watch them play. In 1936 the team made it to the finals of the Mann Cup in Toronto.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to learn about MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver opening in Fall 2021.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
