Lacrosse enthusiast Melanie Childrey, a 2017 graduate in indigenous native nations from Minneapolis, shared the challenges faced by American Indians who wish to travel to lacrosse tournaments outside the United States.

Childrey focused on the Haudenosaunee — also known as Iroquois — and the passports issued by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy for international travel. Many North American ports of call reject the passports as invalid or “fantasy” passports, which creates difficulties when the confederacy’s residents attempt to travel across the U.S./Canadian border to participate in tournaments.

“There isn’t an understanding of the difference between tribal identification cards and passports issued to Haudenosaunee people,” she said.

Childrey said she appreciated the opportunity to share a topic she’s passionate about and discuss little-known tribal sovereignty issues related to lacrosse. She also sought to highlight the game’s roots in native culture.

“I wanted to bring lacrosse to a different type of audience and bring the game back to its Haudenosaunee roots,” she said. “Too many people only know the misinterpreted version of lacrosse found in rich white communities.”