By The Circle
Dan Ninham, a longtime advocate for Native education and Indigenous games, has been named to the inaugural class of the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Dan Ninham, PhD, is a retired physical education teacher and coach, and co-founder of the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.
Ninham (Oneida Nation) is one of 12 inductees honored by the newly established Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Foundation. Two additional people were recognized with Unsung Hero awards.
“These distinguished individuals — comprising players, coaches, officials and administrators — exemplify excellence and leadership in Minnesota’s lacrosse community,” the foundation said in a news release.
Ninham is the only Indigenous member of the first class. He said the recognition is meaningful, but emphasized that it reflects the efforts of many.
“Even though I was recognized, I think there’s so many other people involved with it as well — from the young kids playing the wooden stick game, the traditional game, as well as the modern stick game,” Ninham said. “I often reference ‘we,’ because there’s a number of people involved that I believe are part of me representing them. I think of those who have come before us and those who continue to play this game, and it’s nice to have that recognition.”
Ninham, a writer for The Cirle, has promoted Indigenous games throughout his career in physical education. He said the sport carries deep cultural meaning.
“The spiritual connection of the Creator’s game — the Creator gave us the game to play for his amusement,” Ninham said. “It’s a medicine game. When everybody plays in a good way, with strong exertion and skill, I think that’s the medicine.”
The Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame Foundation was established in June by founder and president Mark Hellenack.
“It’s time for Minnesota to have a Hall of Fame of its own to honor our best men’s and women’s players, coaches, referees and the most impactful growers of the sport,” Hellenack said in the release.
Lacrosse surged in popularity in the early 2000s and was considered one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Participation slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Ninham hopes young athletes will continue to embrace the game and its history.
He is also looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he hopes the Haudenosaunee Nationals will be allowed to compete under their own flag.
Both the men’s and women’s teams already compete in international tournaments. Olympic recognition, Ninham said, would be “so significant.”
“It’s been going on for almost 45 years, starting with the Iroquois Nationals, and Indigenous people played prior to that as well,” he said. “But to be playing at the international level is the elite of the representation mode.”
The Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame’s first class was introduced at a Premier Lacrosse League playoff game on Aug. 23. The formal induction ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 14 in Minneapolis.
