Since the gift of the Creator's game, Dey-Hon-Tshi-Gwa'-Ehs or Lacrosse, the Onondagas and the Haudenosaunee have long enjoyed playing this intense physical and intellectual game. But like most things, there are special abilities and talents that individuals possess that are needed even before the game can begin. One of those individuals is the Stick Maker. For over 50 years at the Onondaga Nation, that title has been held by Louis or Alfred Jacques. Coach Flynn has an Alf Jacques stick.

 Alf Jacques [Onondaga Turtle Clan] is both lacrosse stick carver and lacrosse player. Alf learned the traditional art of lacrosse stick making from his father, the late master lacrosse carver, Lou Jacques, who taught Alf at age twelve to carve and web the lacrosse sticks. Alf himself is a professional box lacrosse player who is the only player to have held every position in field and box lacrosse. Alf carves his sticks from shagbark, shell or smooth hickory wood. The complicated procedure of cutting, seasoning, steaming, bending and carving from hickory wood is a time-consuming process and the netting involves a webbing technique with either leather or "gut." Alf explains that for Native Americans, lacrosse is both play and religious tradition because as a medicine game, it "keeps the people alert."
 

Stick maker Alf Jacques
Traditional lacrosse stick maker Alf Jacques talks about the process of making wooden sticks.
Click here for Video posted on InsideLacrosse.com
http://video.insidelacrosse.com/video/view/9210665/stick-maker-alf-jacques

The Mitchell Brothers produce the sticks for the Mohawk Tribe. They are located in upstate New York and Southern Canada on Cornwall Island. Mohawk International Lacrosse does have a website:
www.mohawkintlacrosse.com

Wes Patterson, as depicted in this print, was a Tuscorora Native, which is part of the Iroquois Confederacy. He was a Native North American who knew as much about the cultural heritage of our National Summer Sport of lacrosse as any person in Canada. Wes Patterson was a very talented aboriginal who could make a complete lacrosse stick in approximately 20 minutes as you watched. He'd talk of the days as a young boy playing lacrosse and how you were not able to play on the team if you did not first select, cut your hickory limb, steam it, bend it, shape it, cut the leather strips and make the net.

Coach Sullivan has a Wes Patterson stick.

Wes has passed away, however sticks are still available from Tuskewe Krafts (716-297-1821), made now by Joe Solotes.

This company in Western New York is the largest manufacturer of wooden lacrosse sticks in North America.

Watch how stick maker Joe Solotes crafts a stick from shagbark hickory: