Karuk ball game team. Klamath River, Humboldt County, California. (N35826) © Courtesy of National Museum of the American Indian Smithsonian Institution

One of the events to be featured at the North American Indigenous Games is the game of Field Lacrosse, which has been played in one form or another by Native Peoples all across North America. Each community has its own style of play, variation of the basic equipment, mode of dress, and its own ceremonial and social activities associated with the game. In addition, lacrosse might be seen as being related to many different ball games played throughout the Western Hemisphere, (including both Central and South America), whether it be the games played on a court somewhere in Meso-America with a rubber ball or those played by Native communities on the pacific coast of North America.

The Iroquois call lacrosse "Tewaarathon", or "the little brother of war". Preparations for the game were much the same as those undertaken by warriors as they prepared to go to war. Warfare was one of the most important ways in which young men were readied for their roles in the community. It was believed that playing lacrosse could instil these same valuable lessons.

For many Native communities, the game was a gift from the creator. It was to be played in order to "bestow honour and respect to these members [of the community] living on Mother Earth." The players were taught that playing the game was a gift, which contained the lessons of courage, strength, honour, respect, generosity and fairplay. Moreover, the example that they provided to other players and those watching served as lessons as to proper conduct within, and between, these communities.