Senate Republicans Urge The Inclusion of Native Tribes in 2028 Olympic Games

Today, members of the Senate Republican Conference on the committee for State - Native American Relations sent a letter to International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry to support the Haudenosaunee Lacrosse team’s request for inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games. 

The Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy encapsulates the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora tribes whose traditional and current territory lies within the borders of New York State. It was on this land and in these tribes where the game of lacrosse was born and as the Olympics prepare to welcome back this historic game to the competition for the first time in over a century, it would be a historical disservice to exclude its founders.

“Despite having a significantly smaller population than other national teams, the Haudenosaunee produce extraordinarily talented players and have competed successfully on the global stage. We believe there would be great benefit to a worldwide audience from watching the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team compete at the Olympics,” the letter reads.

“The genesis of lacrosse can be traced back to Native American tribes of the 12th century, and 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 for the first time in more than 100 years, and I fully support the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in representing Native American tribes on the world stage during the 2028 Olympic Games,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt, ranking member of the Committee on State - Native American Relations.

“The game of lacrosse is one of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s greatest gifts to the world, and their exclusion from Olympic play would be both historically and morally wrong,” said Senator George Borrello, member of the Committee on State - Native American Relations. “Recognizing their sovereignty and honoring their deep connection to the origins of this sport is the right thing to do and long overdue.”

“The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is steeped in history, culture and tradition, including lacrosse. 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. 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 and the many contributions they have made to our society,” said Senator Joe Griffo, member of the Committee on State - Native American Relations.

“The Haudenosaunee team is amongst the best lacrosse teams in the world. Allowing the 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,” said Senator Dan Stec, member of the Committee on State - Native American Relations.

“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,” the letter concludes.