The Iroquois Nationals Indoor Lacrosse Team, known as the Iroquois Nationals, represents the Iroquois Confederacy in international box lacrosse competitions. They are currently ranked second in the world by World Lacrosse and have won Silver medals in all four World Indoor Lacrosse Championships.[1] The team is organized by the First Nations Lacrosse Association.
The 2007 WILC final, with the expected pairing of Canada against the Nationals, was one of the best games in box lacrosse history.[5] Team Canada went through the first quarter with a 4–2 lead, then the Nationals were able to come back in the second and third. The Iroquois were up 10-9 at the start of the fourth quarter. Three quick Canadian goals put them in front again, but they were answered by another three goals by the Nationals. Then John Grant, Jr. scored two goals and the victory for Canada was almost secured. But Dean Hill scored in the final minute of regulation to tie it at 14, sending the championship into overtime. Thirty seconds into overtime, Jeff Zywicki scored his first goal of the game, making it 15–14 for Canada's second gold medal.[5][6]
Canada beat the Nationals in the final for the third time in 2011. Starting goaltender Mike Thompson was injured in the second quarter and had to be replaced by Angus Goodleaf. Cody Jamieson and Sid Smith and were named to the All World Team. Roger Vyse lead the team in scoring with 15 goals and 9 assists.[7][8]
Most games were held on the Onondaga Reservation at the Onondaga Nation Arena and the newly built $6.5 million Onondaga Nation Fieldhouse, although the Iroquois' games versus Canada and the United States were held at War Memorial Arena in Syracuse and the gold and bronze medal games were held at the Carrier Dome.[12][13]
The opening ceremonies in the sold-out War Memorial Arena featured a light show about the Haudenosaunee creation story and traditional dancing.[14] The documentary Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation explains the meaning of lacrosse to the Iroquois people and covers the Iroquois Nationals in the 2015 WILC, featuring brothers Lyle and Miles Thompson.[15]
During the 2015 WILC, the first FIL sanctioned under–17 box lacrosse friendly took place between the Iroquois Nationals and Team Canada.[17] The under-17 squads again faced off prior to the 2017 Heritage Cup.
In 2015, the Six Nations held the inaugural World Lacrosse Challenge, an under–19 box lacrosse tournament featuring international club and national teams. The Iroquois fielded three teams, with the Iroquois West team winning bronze.[18]
The tournament changed its name to the IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship in 2016 and added an under–17 division. The Iroquois had three under–19 teams; West, East, and Grand River and an under–17 team.[19] The Iroquois West team took gold, with the Iroquois Grand River winning bronze. The under–17 Iroquois team defeated Canada's under–17 squad to win gold.[20]
After a one year hiatus, the 2018 IIJL World Junior Lacrosse Championship returned with a change in format again, this time a full round robin tournament featuring national teams, the United States, Canada, and Iroquois. With half its roster missing due to travel delays, the Iroquois lost to Canada in the opening game of the tournament. After defeating the United States, the Iroquois reached the championship game, but lost in the rematch with Canada.
Scotland 
Australia 
United States 
Czech Republic 
Poland