Lacrosse Talks - Mike Kanatakeron Mitchell
Michael Kanatakeron Mitchell has been a driving force behind the recognition of indigenous contributions to the game. He was born into a lacrosse family that had a great deal to do with stick-making for the world’s lacrosse community. He started playing the game with the Cornwall Island Braves Peewees, eventually making the Akwesasne Senior B team as a Midget-aged player. In the 70’s and ‘80’s he became the owner and general manager of Cornwall Island Thunderbirds. He built the Iroquois Lacrosse Association and was appointed to the CLA’s Board of Directors. In 2003 he was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, eventually honoured with the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2014, Mitchell went on to establish the Akwesasne Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
His reach goes beyond lacrosse. He worked with the North American Indian Travelling College (now Ronathahonni Cultural Centre) in producing literature supporting the game and Mohawk culture. He was honored as a First Nations Filmmaker in 2017 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. He has served as a Faithkeeper for his people and Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.