by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Lottie Gill is a Snipe clan member of the Tuscarora Nation. She is a 2017 graduate of the State University at Fredonia.
Gill has had many accomplishments with lacrosse. More than one of them stand out and she said, “Playing for the Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Team in the 2022 World Championships was a huge accomplishment for me, in addition to being given the opportunity to represent the Nationals at the 2022 and 2023 Super Sixes, as well as the 2023 PALA Sixes.”
“As a natural defender, sixes has really pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to meet my coaches’ expectations,” added Gill.
Gill was on the 2022 and 2023 Haudenosaunee Nationals teams that were inducted into the 2024 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) in the team category. She said, “It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the NAIAHF even more so because it is a team induction. It is something that myself and my teammates will always be connected by. My hope is that this recognition helps to continue to inspire our younger generations, specifically our girls to dream big and work hard towards achieving those dreams.”
Being an indigenous athlete means connecting to indigenous ways of being and doing. “I grew up on the Tuscarora Reservation and something that is instilled in us from a young age is having a Seven Generation Mindset,” said Gill. “It is a philosophy that is rooted in guiding decision making in regards to sustainability, natural resources and our environment but can also transcend other aspects of our culture, such as lacrosse.”
Gill continued to talk about the foundation of playing lacrosse. She said, “The women’s team merged with the men’s team just recently and then the entire program underwent a name change. Formerly known as the Iroquois Nationals, we are now known as the Haudenosaunee Nationals.”
“With the merger came a re-establishing of the women’s program and gave us all the opportunity to lay the foundation for what we want this program to become for our future generations. Thinking, preparing and planning with the Seven Generation Mindset as an emphasis. When I am done playing my goal is to leave behind a team culture that is positive, uplifting and supportive of each other on and off the field, a sisterhood,” added Gill.
“Whenever I have the opportunity to represent the Nationals, wear those colors and step on that field I think of my daughters, my granddaughters and great granddaughters to come and so on and so on,” said Gill.
“Even bigger than that I think of the girls I coach, I think of my friends’ daughters, I think of all the little rez girls out there. It’s those moments that you realize the game is much bigger than goals and assists, ground balls, caused turnovers and the score at the end of the game,” added Gill.
“My hope is that we, as well-rounded women, are modeling the ideal that with a team first mentality, hard work, and self-discipline anything is possible; not just with sport but with anything in life,” said Gill.
Elite athletes have challenges to deal with and to not make them obstacles. Time management is crucial when family responsibilities come into play with elite athletes.
“One of my biggest challenges is managing my time,” said Gill. “As a Mom of three to Isabella, Jag and Lucille who collectively make up a 10 year age range and my role as wife of fourteen years, I am often pulled in a variety of directions.”
“I work at Gowanda Middle which is one of the schools that borders the Seneca Nation, Cattaraugus Territory. I provide support services to the Native American student population. During the spring I coach the varsity girls’ lacrosse team. Balancing all of these rewarding and enriching aspects of my life, while training – specifically leading up to World Championships was my biggest challenge,” added Gill.
“I would be up at 4:30 am to get my workout in before work, work a full day, and then either head to the field after school for practice or get on a bus to coach my girls at an away game,” said Gill. “At least a few times a week, I wouldn’t get home until 9 or 10 at night. I had to learn to manage my time well but also make the most of it.”
The process of mentorship is crucial to have support available to do the right things right. One of Gill’s mentors is at home and has the experience of being a lacrosse player to add to the insight of what is needed to be at peak performance.
“My husband Justin Gill, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe has played a major role in my success with the Haudenosaunee Nationals,” said Gill. “He has been playing lacrosse since the age of three. He came through Newtown Minor Lacrosse, played his junior ball for Niagara on the Lake. He played collegiately at Herkimer Community College and then Alfred University. He also spent some time playing for the Six Nations Chiefs before winning a bronze medal at the President’s Cup with the Native Sons. He has a ton of knowledge and experience to share. He’s been my biggest supporter, is always encouraging, and has a gentle way of giving positive criticism.”
“Lottie has always been someone I have admired and I love watching her compete at the highest levels of the sport of lacrosse,” said Lottie’s husband Justin Gill. “I am so proud of her and all her success. She definitely deserves all the credit because she has put in the work to get there. Her leadership skills are on display as a player for the Haudenosaunee Nationals each and every time she wears that jersey but another example is her head coaching role with the Gowanda Girls Varsity lacrosse team.”
“I have had the privilege of getting to coach with her on numerous occasions but one instance I will always be proud of is when she coached Gowanda to their first ever Section 6 Class D title in school history in 2021. Her exceptional leadership and experience paired with a talented group of student athletes helped Gowanda finally get over the hump and bring home that well deserved title,” added Justin.
“When I consider my success on the field, of course I reflect on the influences and interactions with my teammates. Each of them have faced different forms of adversity to get where they are today and to see the strength each of them have to persevere is inspiring in itself. It’s always a lot of fun and tons of laughter when we come together,” added Gill.
Haudenosaunee Nationals Sixes head coach Tim Bomberry helps guide each team to play at their peak performance. He said, “I first coached Lottie in 2022 for the Haudenosaunee Sixes team. Lottie is the ‘elder stateswoman’ on the team and I think she is an awesome example of a Haudenosaunee woman who has a young family and yet does those things necessary to play at the highest level.”
“Lottie is an excellent defender but can also play offense. She understands the pick and roll game as she played basketball in college. She is willing to play whatever role necessary for the team to be successful. She is a positive influence on every player on our team. Lottie brings those positive qualities that makes a team gel and become a tighter unit. Intangibles that are not measured as just goals and assists,” added Coach Bomberry.
Claudia Jimerson is the Director of the Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Program. She talked about one of her athletes in the program that is improving each day and making others better. She said, “I first knew Lottie Gill as a young coach for one of our local teams. She is a friend of one of my daughters so I have watched her grow as a young woman first and foremost; then as a coach and player.”
“It’s been an adjustment for Lottie as she is one of the older ones on our teams, but has always been in good shape where she can still compete with younger players. As a coach herself, I have witnessed her type of leadership for her school team, but it’s not the same type of leadership you see on the field,” added Jimerson.
“She’s older and has had to play with younger women who have more experience than her and played in top Division I programs,” said Jimerson. “That can be intimidating for anyone, so she couldn’t come in as a player with all the world experience and she couldn’t come in as a high school coach. She had to come in as Lottie, the player who can outwork and outhustle these women if they let her.”
Jimerson continued to talk about Gill’s leadership. She said, “First, she started out quiet and guarded, because her main focus was making the team and figuring out her role. After having some big tournaments under her belt, she has let herself be vulnerable with the team, which helped build trust with her teammates. Once that happened, I started seeing a different side of Lottie.”
“She has grown into a leader who is there for her teammates both on and off the field. She helps balance out the younger ones and she gives her teammates’ perspective when she continues to hustle, make plays and be there to support her team,” added Jimerson.
“She has become more vocal on the field and on the sidelines which has been great to see,” said Jimerson. “She loves the game and appreciates the opportunity to represent our people.”
