Bipartisan Support Grows to Include Haudenosaunee in Olympic Lacrosse

As the International Olympic Committee prepares for the return of lacrosse to the global stage in the 2028 Olympic Games, a bipartisan wave of support is building in New York State to ensure that the sport’s original creators are not left on the sidelines. This week, members of the Senate Republican Conference on the Committee for State-Native American Relations sent a formal letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, urging the inclusion of the Haudenosaunee national lacrosse team as a competing entity.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, comprised of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations, are the very originators of lacrosse. Their ancestral and modern homelands lie within New York State and parts of Canada. The sport, which holds deep spiritual and cultural meaning for the Haudenosaunee people, was more than just a pastime—it was considered a sacred expression of community, healing, and diplomacy.

Despite being smaller in population than most national teams, the Haudenosaunee have produced some of the world’s most elite lacrosse players and have earned global recognition for their skill and sportsmanship. The senators emphasized in their letter that the exclusion of the Haudenosaunee from Olympic competition would be a “historical disservice” as lacrosse returns to Olympic play for the first time in more than a century.

“The genesis of lacrosse can be traced back to Native American tribes of the 12th century,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, who serves as the ranking member of the committee. “To them, lacrosse was more than just a game—it held significant cultural and spiritual importance. It’s only fitting Native American tribes are properly represented as an independent, sovereign nation as the sport returns to the Olympics.”

Senator George Borrello echoed those sentiments, calling the sport “one of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s greatest gifts to the world.” He warned that excluding the Confederacy from Olympic participation would be “both historically and morally wrong,” and underscored the importance of recognizing the sovereignty and heritage of the Native nations who created the game.

Fellow committee member Senator Joe Griffo noted the historic timing of lacrosse’s return to the Olympic spotlight. “With this historic sport set to return to the Olympics after more than a century, the Haudenosaunee team deserves an opportunity to be properly represented and to compete on the global stage,” Griffo said. “Including the team in the 2028 Olympics would allow our state, nation and world to recognize, honor and celebrate the rich heritage and enduring legacy of Native Americans.”

Senator Dan Stec added that allowing the Haudenosaunee team to compete would not only affirm their cultural significance but also showcase the remarkable talent of their athletes. “The Haudenosaunee team is amongst the best lacrosse teams in the world,” Stec said. “Allowing Native American tribes representation at the Olympics acknowledges the role these cultures played in the creation of the sport and allows these athletes to compete at the highest level possible.”

The letter concluded with a direct appeal to the IOC: “We urge you to favorably consider allowing the Haudenosaunee nation to compete and be properly represented in the 2028 Olympic Games. Such inclusion would represent a historic and meaningful step forward in honoring Indigenous contributions to sport and culture on the world stage.”

While this letter came from members of the Republican Conference, the sentiment of inclusion and recognition of the Haudenosaunee people has been echoed more broadly across New York’s political landscape. Many New York Democrats, especially those with strong ties to upstate communities and Indigenous affairs, have expressed general support for honoring Native sovereignty and cultural heritage. The idea of excluding the original inventors of the sport from the Olympic Games has struck a nerve among lawmakers across the aisle, with several Democrats in recent years championing legislation and resolutions that recognize and strengthen tribal relations in the state.

The debate over Olympic eligibility touches on complex questions of sovereignty, identity, and representation. The Haudenosaunee have their own passports, compete internationally under their own flag, and are recognized by various sports governing bodies, including World Lacrosse. Their participation in past international competitions has often required special agreements between host countries and international organizations to honor their sovereign status.

As preparations ramp up for the 2028 Olympic Games, pressure is mounting on the IOC to ensure that lacrosse’s return is not marred by an omission that many believe would dishonor the sport’s legacy. Whether the Haudenosaunee team will take their rightful place on the Olympic field remains to be seen, but in New York, support for their inclusion is loud, clear, and increasingly bipartisan.