Inaugural event in Laurier’s Beyond the Book speaker series explores the Indigenous history of lacrosse

Jan. 29, 2021
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – The first in a series of events highlighting Wilfrid Laurier University alumni authors will feature Allan Downey (MA ’08, PhD ’14), author of The Creator’s Game: Lacrosse, Identity and Indigenous Nationhood. Downey will join Melissa Ireland, Laurier’s director and interim senior advisor of Indigenous Initiatives, for a discussion about Indigenous culture, identity and the history of the game of lacrosse.

Beyond the Book: A Discussion on The Creator’s Game, will take place via Zoom on Feb. 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. The event is free and all are welcome to attend, but registration is required.

“It is so important to maintain good relationships with our Indigenous alumni, as they have paved a path for current and future Indigenous students to follow,” said Ireland. “I am excited to sit and talk with Allan about the success of his book and career. It is especially meaningful for me since we met at the Indigenous Student Centre during his time at Laurier.”

Downey is Dakelh and a member of Nak'azdli Whut’en First Nation in British Columbia. He currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of History at McMaster University, where he focuses his research and teaching on the history of Indigenous nationhood, sovereignty and self-determination.

In The Creator’s Game, Downey examines the history of lacrosse in Indigenous communities from the 1860s to the 1990s. While the game was appropriated by non-Indigenous peoples and stripped of its traditional cultural significance, it was also used by Indigenous peoples to resist residential school experiences, mobilize politically and articulate sovereignty and nationhood.

Downey will be joined by Ireland, a Laurier alumna (MSW ‘17) and a member of Curve Lake First Nation. Ireland oversees Laurier’s Indigenous Student Centres and their services and programs on the Waterloo and Brantford campuses.

The new Beyond the Book speaker series pairs alumni authors with Laurier subject matter experts for fireside chats. Future discussions will focus on topics including wellness, finances and entrepreneurship.