New Futures
New Futures

New Futures focuses on rebuilding community and culture in South Minneapolis. Traditional Ojibwe Style lacrosse has been played in the Great Lakes regions long before Europeans set foot on this continent. The game itself is more than just a sport: it is a ceremony that has artistic value as well, and the game is thought to contain a connection to one’s spiritual nature. New Futures will teach 12 Native youth a variety of woodworking skills to help create traditional Ojibwe lacrosse sticks. Youth will be paid a stipend for working towards mastering the skills required to produce steam bent, tournament-ready Lacrosse sticks. Youth will be able to teach others how to make sticks, and at the end of the program, they will host a co-ed community lacrosse tournament in Powderhorn Park.

About the artist:  

David Butler has years of experience making traditional lacrosse sticks and teaching young people to play the game. Mr. Butler has shared his knowledge with students at the school where he teaches, at other local schools, and in the local community with others who are working to revitalize traditional lacrosse.