Watch Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation

Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation is a documentary film from 2017 that explores the world of indigenous lacrosse players in North America. The movie is directed by Peter Spirer and Peter Baxter and features interviews with players, coaches, and community leaders from Haudenosaunee, Cherokee, and other Native American tribes. The film begins with a brief history of lacrosse, a sport that was invented by indigenous peoples in North America and has been played for hundreds of years. The game was originally played as a kind of spiritual practice, with teams representing different clans or communities competing in contests that could last for days. Today, lacrosse is played at all levels, from youth leagues to the professional level, and has become a major part of indigenous culture in North America.

The movie focuses on the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team, which is made up of players from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a group of six tribes that includes the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. The team has been a dominant force in international lacrosse for years, and has won numerous titles and medals in competitions around the world.

The movie follows the team as they prepare for the 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, which are being held in Onondaga Nation, the home of the Onondaga tribe in upstate New York. The team is facing stiff competition from the United States, Canada, and other countries, but is determined to win the championship and bring pride to their community.

Throughout the movie, we see the players practicing, bonding, and sharing their stories with each other. We also hear from coaches and community leaders about the importance of lacrosse to indigenous culture and the challenges that face Native American communities today.

One of the themes of the movie is the struggle that indigenous people in North America have faced to maintain their traditions and culture in the face of colonialism and oppression. Lacrosse is one of the ways that indigenous people have been able to preserve their heritage and connect with their ancestors. As one player says in the movie, "Lacrosse is more than just a game. It's a way of life."

Another theme of the movie is the importance of sportsmanship and respect. While the Iroquois Nationals are fierce competitors on the field, they also value tradition and sportsmanship. They take part in ceremonies and rituals before and after games, and they show respect for their opponents and the sport itself.

The movie also touches on the political and diplomatic challenges that face indigenous nations. The Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team represents a sovereign nation, but they are not recognized by the International Olympic Committee or other official bodies. This means that they sometimes face obstacles when traveling to international tournaments, as they are not issued passports by any country. The movie shows how the team and their supporters have to navigate these challenges in order to compete on the world stage.

In addition to lacrosse, the movie also explores other aspects of indigenous culture, such as music, art, and language. We hear from musicians and artists who are using their talents to celebrate their heritage and connect with younger generations.

Overall, Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation is a moving and inspiring documentary that sheds light on a unique and important aspect of indigenous culture in North America. Through the eyes of the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team, we see a community that is proud of its heritage, resilient in the face of adversity, and determined to succeed on its own terms. The movie is a testament to the power of sports and culture to unite people across borders and generations.

Spirit Game: Pride Of A Nation is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.5.