Canadian Lacrosse Association  – OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Lacrosse Foundation (CLF) is happy to announce that the Government of Canada, through the Canada 150 Fund, has made a generous financial contribution to help support the planning and delivery of the 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration.

The Canada 150 Fund is a funding initiative, managed by the Department of Canadian Heritage, that aims to promote Canadian values, culture and history, generate national pride and bring citizens together to celebrate our country’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

“Canada 150 offers Canadians the chance to strengthen the bonds that unite them and celebrate the rich heritage of Indigenous peoples,” said The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The Canadian Lacrosse Foundation will use this opportunity to highlight the historical importance of this traditional game practised by First Nations. I invite you to make the most of Canada 150 to discover the fascinating cultural history of this sport.”

“We are very pleased to have the support of the Government of Canada for our 150^th anniversary celebration,” said Jim Burke, chairman of the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation. “Lacrosse has a rich history in this country and as Canadians from coast-to-coast gather to celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of Confederation, we want to educate them on the important role that the sport of lacrosse had in helping build our nation.”

The 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration, which will take place from June 16-18, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will help honour and celebrate the history and cultural significance of Canada’s national summer sport.

A traditional medicine game played by First Nations for thousands of years, lacrosse was adapted into a modern sport with the formalization of the rules back in the 1860’s. This version became the norm when the National Lacrosse Association, the first sport governing body in North America, was established in 1867.

“Lacrosse is a game that has connected people in Canada, transcending both cultural and language barriers, for over 150 years and continues to do so today,” stated Jim Calder, event manager for the 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration. “We greatly appreciate the support provided by the Canada 150 Fund as we celebrate the sesquicentennial of our great country and our great game.”

A family-friendly mix of activities are being organized for the weekend in Montreal, including a re-enacted game featuring authentic wardrobe and traditional equipment, a historical display of lacrosse photos and artifacts, a series of lectures from lacrosse authors and academics, and box and field lacrosse tournaments for athletes of all ages.

These activities will be hosted at venues that are deeply rooted in lacrosse history, most notably the Lower Field on the campus of McGill University, the McCord Museum and the Montreal Amateur Athletic Club.

“This grant will go a long way in helping us deliver a world-class event that will pay homage to our sport’s tremendous history and help us introduce it to a new generation of Canadians,” added Calder. “We’re excited to showcase the transformation of lacrosse and invite people from across the country to join us in Montreal this summer.”

About the 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration

The 150^th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime festival of activities that will help honour and celebrate the history and cultural significance of Canada’s national summer sport, lacrosse. Between June 16-18, 2017, the city of Montreal, Quebec, will host a variety of educational and cultural activities, including a re-enacted game featuring authentic equipment, a historical display of lacrosse artifacts, a series of lectures from lacrosse authors and academics, and box and field lacrosse tournaments for athletes of all ages. This event is being organized by the Canadian Lacrosse Foundation, with help from the Canadian Lacrosse Association and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and is made possible thanks to contributions from the Government of Canada.

For more information on the 150th Anniversary of Lacrosse Celebration, visit 150.lacrosse.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also join the conversation using #CANLax150.