Haudenosaunee women lead the charge at the inaugural women's Box Lacrosse World Championships

As the ball dropped in Utica, New York for the inaugural Women's Box Lacrosse World Championships held from 20-29 September, one team stepped onto the rink with a history as old as the sport itself: the Haudenosaunee Nationals.

The team brings together athletes from the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk), Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations, each carrying with them a deep connection to the sport.

For women like Katsitiarase (Joni) Squire-Hill, who snuck out to play lacrosse because the clan mothers in her community did not yet approve, this moment was a breakthrough within a centuries-old tradition.

Growing up in the Six Nations of the Grand River, near Hamilton, Ontario, Squire-Hill needed to ask for permission to play, a hurdle that, for generations, had kept women from stepping onto the field.

“We had to go to the longhouse, stand in front of the clan mothers, and ask for permission to actually play,” she told Olympics.com. “It was a challenge at first because a lot of people didn’t want it. We knew we were going against something, but when we got approval, it was huge.”

In this exclusive interview, Squire-Hill opens up about her journey from the sidelines to the world stage, the weight of her legacy, and what it means to compete on a global level.

Tradition, legacy, and breaking barriers

Lacrosse, born from stickball, has been played by Indigenous peoples of North America for centuries. More than just a game, it’s woven into the fabric of their spiritual, cultural, and communal life.

For the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse is a sacred rite of passage. Men receive their first lacrosse stick at birth and are buried with it, a symbol of their lifelong bond to the Creator’s game.

Over time, stickball has evolved into the modern sport of lacrosse, now played at intercollegiate, professional, and international levels. The Haudenosaunee Nationals Lacrosse Organization is the only indigenous sports organization of its kind to compete on the world stage.

But for generations, lacrosse remained a men’s game, with many communities resisting women stepping onto the field.

Squire-Hill’s personal journey reflects this challenge. As a young girl, she watched her father and brother play from the sidelines, feeling a burning desire to join them. Yet, it wasn’t so simple.

"I didn't start until I was 13 because I wasn’t really allowed to play lacrosse," she shared with CBC.

"My mom and dad didn’t want me to play. It made me second guess myself if I was doing the right thing at the time.”

But once her father recognized her talent, his tune changed. "He told me, ‘If you’re going to play with Squire on your jersey, you better play well.’" He soon became her coach, demanding excellence and driving her to carry on the Squire family’s lacrosse legacy.

But breaking tradition in the Haudenosaunee world required more than individual talent; it needed the approval of the clan mothers.

As with all of the important matters of the nation, the decision reached the longhouse, a place where sacred ceremonies and cultural gatherings are held. In fact, 'Haudenosaunee' directly translates to "People of the Longhouse."

Standing there, under the wooden beams of the longhouse, benches lining the walls, Squire-Hill felt the presence of her community and the weight of her people’s history.

And in that sacred space, the clan mothers gave their blessing.

“I think they [the clan mothers] see it as an opportunity now. They understand that times have changed. I respect them so much because they’re the glue to our whole nation.”

With their approval, Squire-Hill became part of a cultural shift and a new chapter for Haudenosaunee women in lacrosse. Stick in hand, she was ready to lead the way.

A legacy carved in hickory

Just one year after she picked up a stick, a 14-year-old Squire-Hill earned Rookie of the Year honors. She eventually went on to play collegiate lacrosse for SUNY Buffalo and also represented her nation on the first-ever women’s under-19 traveling world team for the Haudenosaunee.

But behind her rise stands a rich family tradition. “I think I’m part of a legacy of lacrosse,” she said. “If you look at the history of the Squires, there are so many lacrosse players. My uncles have records everywhere, but they’re humble about it.

“I grew up with my uncles making lacrosse sticks from hickory trees. And I put a hickory stick in my son’s hand when he was born. I honor our traditions in every way.”

Her humility has made her a natural leader on today’s women’s team. “My role is to be humble, to lead by example, and to show the fierceness I carry in my heart.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” she says. “Every time I step on the field, I remember the people who helped me get here, especially my dad. He’s not here anymore, but I’m playing for him, for my people.”

Balancing motherhood and elite sport

As a mother of three, Squire-Hill balances her passion for lacrosse with her responsibilities at home. Her children are never far from her thoughts, especially when they’re in the stands cheering her on.

“I can hear them on the floor, calling me 'ista,' which means mom in Mohawk,” she smiled. “It just pushes me harder. I have little eyes watching me, and they’re my strength. I play for them as much as I play for myself.”

Despite her own mother’s concerns, believing her daughter’s role is to focus on motherhood, Squire-Hill is forging her own path.

“I’m kind of going against her will, but I know I’m setting an example for my kids and for other young girls in my community.”

As for Squire-Hill’s thoughts on her daughters asking to play lacrosse? “I would one hundred per cent say go right ahead. But sadly, they are arts and crafts girls,” she laughed.

And she’s not alone. Many of her teammates, including Stacey Smith, a grandmother, form an internal support system for one another, swapping stories and advice on how to dance the delicate balance.

Representing a nation, elevating the game

The Haudenosaunee men's lacrosse team has long been respected on the world stage, often finishing among the top teams in international competitions. But this year, for the first time, the Haudenosaunee women are stepping into the spotlight, walking alongside the men’s team at the opening ceremonies of the Box Lacrosse World Championships.

“This is the first time we’ve walked out together with the men’s team,” Squire-Hill says. “I grew up knowing these guys; they were the top dogs in lacrosse. Now, we’re on the same level. We’ve shown that we belong here.”

Winning the world championships would be the ultimate statement. “If we win, it just proves that we’re meant to stay. I am playing for my people. And we're fighting to be in the world and to honor our people in so many ways, even though this is going against the tradition of men playing. We're standing for something much bigger," Squire-Hill said.

But their success doesn’t just uplift the women’s team; it also sets a higher standard for the men.

“We live in a matriarchy where women have a higher responsibility, and all of the answers come from the women. So, if we won the world championships, it would not only prove that we are here to stay, but we also set the standards high for the men. They would have to do just as well as we are doing.”

Lacrosse returns to the Olympic Games

With lacrosse returning to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 2028, it also returns to the very lands where the game was first brought to life.

As Squire-Hill said about the upcoming Olympics: “It’s a dream come true because I’ve been wanting lacrosse to get to that level for so long.”

“It’s bittersweet, but it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come,” she continued, reflecting on the possibility that she may not compete in LA due to her age.

Despite challenges such as smaller pools of athletes and fewer resources, Squire-Hill believes in the talent of her team and the Haudenosaunee people.

“We’ve broken through so many barriers to be here, and we’re meant to be seen, just like everyone else. For these world championships, we had a selection out of 120 girls, whereas everybody else had a selection of thousands of women. And our 120 girls are showing up.”

As the Haudenosaunee Nationals step onto the rink, Squire-Hill remembers why they call lacrosse ‘sacred medicine.’ “My favorite thing about lacrosse is that it’s where I can be myself, be creative, and find peace,” she shared. “This sport brings me calm, and in that calm, I find my strength.”

With the gold medal match fast approaching, the Haudenosaunee Nationals aren’t just playing for themselves. They’re playing for their people, their children, and the generations of women who will follow in their footsteps.

The men's and women's teams will play in the semi-finals on 27 September. You can follow all the results on the World Lacrosse website.