On Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. at Haskell Indian Nations University Powwow grounds, the ACCES+ Club held a stickball event on campus.
Stickball is a traditional game that has been used for generations to settle disputes between tribes, such as the Cherokee and Choctaw. Today, the games are used as recreational activities to teach about the sport, to maintain the cultural significance, and promote overall physical wellness. The game takes place on a large field with a tall pole in the center, topped with a carved fish. Players use one or two hand-carved sticks with a small net at the end to catch, throw, or pass a small ball. Rules vary among tribes and games, but the objective is to throw the ball at the top of the pole to score a goal.
“ACCES+ exists to provide students with opportunities to strengthen community ties, learn from one another, and engage in cultural practices such as stickball, stompdance, and other events,” said the ACCES+ club president, explaining the club’s mission and the purpose of the event. ACCES+ wants to create a space where students from other tribes can come together to learn about each other’s cultures without feeling embarrassed for being curious.
The game was held on the powwow grounds at Haskell, with the ACCES+ club providing its own portable stickball pole and sticks. The game was social style and consisted of five rounds, with girls competing againstboys. Withstudents throwing the ball around and tackling each other, the game was a great success. They took the game seriously while still laughing and having fun with one another; in the end, the girls won all five games. ACCES+ plans to hold more stickball games and related events , with plans to install a permanent pole on the Haskell campus.They encourage all to stay on the lookout and participate in future events.
