Lacrosse is more than a game. It is an opportunity to celebrate unique origins, embrace differences, and improve communities. Our goal at the National Lacrosse League is to promote continuous learning, and support initiatives to make us a better league. We will accomplish this objective through our three pillars: Heritage, Inclusion and Service.
The NLL proudly supports NLL Unites – an effort to raise awareness about U.S. and Canadian policies that forcibly removed Indigenous children from their homes and placed them in residential and boarding schools. Children were stripped of their personal belongings, forbidden to speak their native languages, and often abused. We believe it is time to embrace truth and seek reconciliation. It is not enough for us to honor the origins of the game we love. We must also acknowledge how our countries treated the original stewards of the game. Learn more below.
The original players believed lacrosse was much more than a game – it was given to us by the Creator. As a league, we honor the sport’s heritage. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone who enjoys this game knows the rich history.
We are better when people with different backgrounds can pick up a stick as their authentic selves. We are committed to making our game accessible to everyone.
Our footprint spans across 36 cities in North America. We pledge to give back and make a difference. It is our responsibility to serve the communities where we teach, promote and play our game.
NLL Unites is our commitment to honoring people and serving communities, especially children. It begins with celebrating the gift of lacrosse, and uplifting those who played the game one thousand years ago. We use our platform to promote causes and organizations from Indigenous communities. We leverage our resources to expand access to this game for kids. We improve our communities by donating time, skills and capital. Unlike other sports, lacrosse was never just a game. It was a gift from the Creator. Through NLL Unites, we’ll spread that spirit to our communities.
Our journey also includes learning from our stakeholders and ecosystem. We collaborated with RISE to conduct a series of focus groups with NLL players, teams, and front office staff to explore topics around diversity and inclusion, heritage, and equality. Students from the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology conducted a CSR landscape analysis to recommend initiatives for NLL Unites. Our League connected with other leagues, consultants, and ongoing partners to best understand the unique needs of the sport and its growing fandom.
Our CSR journey is just beginning, and now you a part of that journey. Together, we can ensure that our histories are shared and honored, our differences are acknowledged and celebrated, and our communities are served and united.
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. DWF provides education on the true history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the lasting impact of residential schools through their programming, partnerships and events that build awareness, education, and connection between all peoples in Canada.
The mission of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is to lead in the pursuit of understanding and addressing the ongoing trauma created by the United States Indian boarding school policy. NABS’s work is centered around seeking truth, justice, and healing for survivors and descendants of Indian boarding schools
