By Kerry Davis
Faculty, friends and student members of the Native American Student Alliance (NASA) gathered to erect a Stickball pole at the south end of the Natatorium building on the Indianapolis University-Purdue University IUPUI campus in Indianapolis. Under the direction of Dr. Johnny Flynn (Potawatomi), Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at IUPUI, a 35-foot maple tree was selected for the stickball pole, and variations of this game have been played among different tribes for many years. Traditionally, it was only played by men, but in one version men and women played against each other, although women used their hands rather than sticks.
Before putting the pole in the ground, Flynn tied a blue ribbon around the pole several feet from the top to mark the beginning of where points are scored. A skull, painted blue with a red and yellow circular target in the center of the forehead, was then firmly attached to the top of the pole. Traditionally, a blue line was painted around the pole and in many cases, the skull or animal shape at the top was carved into the wood rather than being attached. Once Flynn and his team set the pole securely in the ground, everyone tried their hand at the game by using two Lacrosse-style sticks to pick up and hold a small, deerskin ball about two inches in diameter. The sticks are then held back over the head and, using the wrist, are “flicked” up into the air at the same time the ball is released. The goal is to try and hit the target on the skull and if successful, 10 points are awarded; five points are given if the ball touches anywhere else on the skull, and one point is received if the ball hits the pole anywhere above the blue ribbon or line. The game is played to 21 points.
NASA members include both faculty and students, and represent various tribes. Corey LeRoy, president of the organization and a Freshman at IUPUI, is of the Ponca tribe of Nebraska.
“The purpose of NASA is help make the community more aware, and to educate the students and people on campus about Native Americans and our culture,” LeRoy explained.
An English Education major, LeRoy is planning to teach on the reservation in Oklahoma after she gets her degree. “It’s my way of giving back and helping my people,” she said.
NASA students are an active group, organizing several events during November for Native American Heritage Awareness month such as an Educational Conference, an Ancestry Workshop, a Bead Class and presenting Leadership awards – that is, when they’re not outside playing Stickball!