Lacrosse brothers honoured by STC
- NC Raine | November 20, 2017
The Thompson brothers are using their platform of lacrosse to make their mark on Indigenous youth in Canada.
Prior to the Saskatchewan Rush exhibition game on November 18, the four Thompson brothers from Syracuse, New York, were honoured at the Sasktel Centre with a special ceremony and powwow. Lyle, Miles, and Jerome Thompson, players for the Georgia Swarm, were in town to play brother Jeremy, star player for the Saskatchewan Rush.
More than 1000 community members attended the event, including 700 individuals driving in from seven different First Nations in Saskatchewan. The brothers were gifted a special buffalo robe blanket by the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Chief Mark Arcand.
For more photos from the honouring ceremony, check out this photo gallery.
Each Thompson brother then addressed the youth in attendance, highlighting the importance of dedication and perseverance.
“I can honestly say that we got here through hard work and dedication, but it wasn't easy. I had hardships and roadblocks along the way,” said Jeremy Thompson.
“Lacrosse has been a vehicle to give myself an education. And it's a vehicle for us to give back,” he said.
The brothers also spoke on many of the struggles that youth in Canada and the US face, including drugs, alcohol, obesity, and education. They cited the importance of family and culture as path forward.
“One thing I want you to take from me and my brothers (...) the respect we have for the game and for everything around us,” said Jerome Thompson. “Respect is the big thing in Indigenous culture. And the other thing is pride. I'm proud of who I am and where I cam from. I'm proud, every time I step on the floor, who I represent.”
The powwow included STC Chief Mark Arcand, several flag bearers from Saskatoon and nearby First Nations, as well as the Thompson brothers and youth from across the province.
Later that evening, the Saskatchewan Rush, in their first home pre-season game, successfully held off the Georgia Swarm in a 24-9 victory.