Knighthawks Visit Ganondagan Historic Site to Learn About Lacrosse's Indigenous Roots

Players connect with Haudenosaunee culture and history as team prepares for Native American Heritage Game.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:34pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a lacrosse game broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in earthy green, blue, and orange tones, conceptually representing the sport's Indigenous origins.The Knighthawks' visit to Ganondagan Historic Site underscores lacrosse's deep Indigenous roots and the team's efforts to honor that heritage.Buffalo Today

The Rochester Knighthawks professional lacrosse team visited the Ganondagan Historic Site in Victor, New York to learn about the Indigenous origins of their sport. The visit was led by Ansley Jemison, a member of the Haudenosaunee Nation, who spoke about the importance of sharing Native identity and culture. The Seneca Nation purchased the Knighthawks in 2025, recognizing lacrosse's deep ties to the Finger Lakes region.

Why it matters

The Knighthawks' visit to Ganondagan highlights the team's efforts to connect with the sport's Indigenous roots and honor the Haudenosaunee people who invented lacrosse centuries ago. As the Seneca Nation takes ownership of the franchise, this represents an important step in elevating Native American voices and perspectives within professional sports.

The details

During the visit, Knighthawks players learned about the history and significance of lacrosse to the Haudenosaunee culture. Ansley Jemison, a member of the Haudenosaunee Nation, led the discussion and emphasized the importance of sharing Native identity and appreciation for the sport's origins. The Seneca Nation purchased the Knighthawks franchise in August 2025, stating that 'lacrosse is part of our culture and Rochester is part of our ancestral home'.

  • The Knighthawks visited the Ganondagan Historic Site on April 6, 2026.
  • The Knighthawks' Native American Heritage Game is scheduled for April 19, 2026 at the Blue Cross Arena.

The players

Ansley Jemison

A member of the Haudenosaunee Nation who led the discussion about lacrosse's Indigenous roots during the Knighthawks' visit to Ganondagan.

J. Conrad Seneca

The President of the Seneca Nation, which purchased the Rochester Knighthawks franchise in August 2025.

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What they’re saying

“It's complicated. It can be challenging at times but at the same time there's a lot of pride and a lot of appreciation for the culture and who we are and it's important to be able to share that with our brothers in the game – the game of lacrosse.”

— Ansley Jemison, Member of the Haudenosaunee Nation

“Lacrosse is part of our culture and Rochester is part of our ancestral home.”

— J. Conrad Seneca, President of the Seneca Nation

What’s next

The Knighthawks will host their Native American Heritage Game on April 19, 2026 at the Blue Cross Arena, which is the last game of their regular season.

The takeaway

The Knighthawks' visit to Ganondagan and the Seneca Nation's ownership of the franchise represent an important effort to honor the Indigenous origins of lacrosse and elevate Native American voices within professional sports. As the team prepares for their Native American Heritage Game, this connection to the sport's cultural roots will be celebrated and shared with the community.