Chad Chief Moon (Bare Shin Bone) and his son Zane Chief Moon have been introducing the sport of lacrosse to communities in Southern Alberta over the past year. Chief Moon Sr. is a member of the Kainai Nation, also referred to as the Blood Tribe, and is currently working on moving the Crowsnest Pass Lacrosse Association from Crowsnest to his community.
Chief Moon Sr. and his son, Chief Moon Jr., have been working hard to bring more awareness to the sport of lacrosse within Kainai Nation and ensuring that their youth are staying active year-round.
Chief Moon Sr. said he wants the “organization to have all the teams and all divisions, from U7 to Junior.” While he notes winning is good, “the most important part is having our kids involved, and [that] no kid gets left out.”
Their work doesn’t just start and end in Kainai Nation, as both men participate in lacrosse opportunities with other communities.
“We go to Lethbridge and just rent out a gym to throw the ball around. And that’s the enjoyable part, in my opinion, playing with the kids,” said Chief Moon Jr..
While nurturing the development of lacrosse in their community, they hope those involved and grow up with the sport will someday come back to the community and participate as well.
Lacrosse has many names in the Indigenous community, including the Creator’s Game and the Medicine Game. Both Chief Moon Jr. and Chief Moon Sr. share a deep personal connection to the sport and plan to tackle every challenge presented to youths and their community by promoting the Creator’s Game.
Crowsnest Pass Ravens has been rebranded to Cheif Mountain Lacrosse and registration for the new season is now open.