by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Cassandra “Bean” Minerd, 26, is from the Onondaga Nation.
She played women’s lacrosse at SUNY Brockport from 2013-2017. She also played women’s lacrosse at LaFayette Senior HS.
Cassandra is currently at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) working on her master’s degree in environmental sciences.
Cassandra played on the world stage in the 2011 U-19 World Cup when she was a sophomore in high school. In 2013, as a high school senior, she played on the 2014 women’s world cup team.
“As I was going into my freshman year at Brockport, I already had experience behind me,” said Cassandra. “I came onto the team as a defender. I played defense my whole life.”
“My male cousins, Marshall and Mike Abrams, were also defenders. I watched them play when I was growing up. I never watched women play lacrosse until I was in high school. All I watched as a kid was men’s box lacrosse,” added Cassandra.
“We have a box men’s team on the Onondaga Nation that is known as the Red Hawks,” said Cassandra. “That was my childhood during the summer time. I would go down to my gram’s house on the Nation, play with my cousins then head up to the arena to watch box games.”
“While I attend Brockport, I made great accomplishments for myself,” said Cassandra. “I made the SUNYAC third and second teams. During my junior year, my team and I went to the NCAA’S for the first time in our program history. Going into my senior year, we returned back.”
“My senior year at Brockport was very successful,” said Cassandra.
She led a defense allowing less than 6.5 goals a contest and holding teams to a clear percentage of less than 64 percent. The team forced over 19 turnovers per contest. Cassandra picked up 42 draw controls, had 33 caused turnovers and picked up 30 ground balls, while adding three goals and two assists.
During her senior season, she led the team to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2017 NCAA National Tournament. “I was named to the ECAC D3 North Women’s lacrosse All-Star Team,” said Cassandra. “I racked up the post-season awards for my 2017 campaign being named SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year and to the IWLCA All-Region Team.”
She also earned the SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year, a spot on the All Conference First Team and the SUNYAC All Tournament Team.
“After Brockport, I returned home and worked as a youth group leader for the Onondaga Nation Youth Group,” said Cassandra. “I then did case work for homeless families with Catholic Charities. Now, I am a graduate student at ESF learning environmental sciences.”
“I am currently trying out for the Iroquois National Women’s team,” said Cassandra. “I was a part of the team where we went to Auburndale, FL for the PALA sixes tournament where we won GOLD! First time for our women’s program! I am trying to make the team for the World Cup in 2022 located in Towson, MD.”
“I grew up very traditional in the Nation,” said Cassandra. “My grandma, Phoebe Hill, was an Eel clan mother. My uncle Sid is Tadodaho. I grew up listening to our language while being at my gram’s house. My mother always took me to the longhouse to attend ceremonies. To attend ceremonies is always a normal thing for me along with our daily teachings.”
“Before we start ceremonies, the thanksgiving address is always the first protocol before we start anything. Even in gatherings as well. My daily teachings come from the thanksgiving address. To give thanks for all living things, from mother earth to the water, plants, food, animals, creator, and the people,” added Cassandra.
“My mother always talks to me about being peaceful, humble, and having a good mind,” said Cassandra. “My mother shares how strong I am, not by the strength of hurting people, but by the strength of my mind and body. I use my strength to help me play lacrosse so I can play at an elite level. My mother shares about being peaceful with people that there is no need to be rude or disrespectful. Be peaceful when entering a place or an area. Respect others and respect their land. Lastly, she shares with me to always have a good mind. A good mind when I do anything. A good mind at school, with family or friends and even when playing.”
“I always have a good mind when I play lacrosse because it’s a teaching that we all learned but I keep a good mind because of how much the sport took care of me from the good medicine it provides when you play,” added Cassandra.
“That good medicine is the love and joy you receive and give when playing with your teammates and against other opponents,” said Cassandra. “These teachings carry over to my daily life as it is a habit and I want to continue these daily teachings so that I can live my desired peaceful life.”
“Since I respect my culture and teachings, taking care of Mother Earth is my top priority as to why the teachings from the Thanksgiving address have strived me to attend ESF to get my masters in environmental sciences and learn more ways to combat climate change to save Mother Earth as much as I can while I am down here.”
“My mentor is my mother,” said Cassandra. “My mom pushed and supported me to where I am now in my life. If it wasn’t for her support, I would not be doing things that I am passionate about without her guidance and faith in me.”
Photo Credit: Cassandra Minerd
