Celebrating Grade 5 Traditional Games Day: Honoring Haudenosaunee Culture in Action
On March 25th, we had the privilege of hosting our annual Grade 5 Traditional Games Day for Waldorf Schools in partnership with Onkwehonwe Games. This immersive event brought together four Grade 5 classes for a full day of storytelling, sport, and cultural connection. Under the expert guidance of Dallas Squire and Mekwan Tulpin, students didn’t just learn how to play traditional Indigenous games—they discovered the deep community values that give each game its meaning.
A Day Rooted in Story and Spirit
Our day began with a heartfelt welcome in the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, where Tekonwanyahesen (Stacy), Dallas and Mekwan introduced themselves and welcomed the group to the Six Nations community. Students then rotated through stations:
Students were divided into two rotating groups:
Games Track (with Mekwan) - Three traditional games that highlight precision, strategy, and teamwork:
Bone‑and‑Toggle: Students learned the rhythm and skill of this ancient throwing game, developing hand‑eye coordination.
Hoop‑and‑Javelin: Each student practiced launching a wooden spear through a hoop, discovering the focus required by early hunters.
3 Point Tug‑of‑War: Students stepped up to participate in the ultimate test of strength and perseverance.
2. Cultural Track (with Dallas):
Haudenosaunee History & Six Nations Community: Explored the homelands of the Haudenosaunee, the Five Nations (Hiawatha) Wampum Belt, and some facts about the Six Nations of the Grand River community.
Snowsnake & Lacrosse Origins: Shared the origin of each game, how they are played and why these sports remain central to Haudenosaunee identity.
Dallas and Mekwan share their experiences with lacrosse.
By alternating between active play and cultural learning, students gained both physical skills and deeper understanding of the worldviews that animate each game.
After lunch, all four classes came together for an immersive lacrosse session:
Skill Drills: From stick‑handling to passing circles, students honed fundamental techniques.
Capture‑Tag Game: In place of a full lacrosse match, students played a fast‑paced tag variant that emphasized agility, strategy, and teamwork—putting their new skills to the test in a fun, dynamic setting.
What Participating Schools Are Saying
“Amazing venue. Incredible pros. But more than anything a very valuable insight into the worldview of the Six Nations. This was not only about sports, but why we play them, on a very deep spiritual level.”
— Jon Koop, Trillium
“It was a wonderful event, very well structured and thought through. Dallas and Mekwan are two passionate professionals that made the experience meaningful for the children on so many levels. They were able to hold and coach four full classes of 10‑ and 11‑year‑olds with ease and grace. Their stories were deeply touching and aligned with the Waldorf Grade 5 curriculum perfectly. They shared their teachings with generosity and warmth, and made the lacrosse practice dynamic and yet accessible for everyone. We felt privileged to be a part of this event. Thank you! Nyawen! Miigwetch!”
— Natalia Popolov, London Waldorf
“It is so important for students to experience something before engaging a conversation about it. This was a lovely occasion for that. Dallas Squire and Mekwan Tulpin handling their lacrosse sticks with the ease and grace of masters of their sport lent credibility to the passion and cultural importance which they spoke about. Thank you for organizing this.”
— Jonathan Snow, TWS
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
Experiential & Reflective: Alternating play with cultural context deepened student engagement and understanding.
Curriculum Synergy: The event complemented Grade 5 geography, offering a balanced counterpoint to the Greek Olympics.
Community Connection: The Six Nations venue and the warmth of our facilitators created a welcoming space where every student felt seen and supported.
Logistical Wins & Tweaks: The arena’s facilities were ideal; next year, we’ll add more game stations and equipment rotations to keep every student active.
We’re already planning for next year’s Traditional Games Day, with ideas for adding professional demonstrations and exploring other aspects of the culture.
We’re so grateful to Dallas, Mekwan, and all four schools for making this day so memorable. Nyawen! Miigwetch!
Interested in bringing Traditional Games Day to your school?
Contact Onkwehonwe Games at onkwegames@gmail.com or visit their website at www.onkwehonwegames.com.
