by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Awęhi:yo (beautiful flower) Thomas is Wolf Clan of the Cayuga Nation from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
“I’ve played the game of lacrosse for 22 years on many teams locally and internationally, attributing to my accomplishments as an athlete and as a team,” said Awęhi:yo. “I currently stand at 5’4” weighing 120 pounds, training for my spot on the Haudenosaunee Nationals competing in the 2021 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women’s World Cup at Towson University, Maryland.”
In the fall of 2019, Awęhi:yo played for the Haudenosaunee Nationals at the Pan American Lacrosse Association placing 1st. In the summer of 2018, she played for the Baltimore Ride Lacrosse, United Women’s Lacrosse League (UWLX). During the summer of 2017, 2013, and 2009, Awęhi:yo played for the Haudenosaunee Nationals World Cup team. The teams finished 12th, 8th and 11th, respectfully. She was honored with a few ‘Most Valuable Player of the Game’ awards.
As a walk-on junior transfer student on the Syracuse Women’s lacrosse team in 2008-09, Awęhi:yo started all 21 games in her first year and helped the team make it to the program’s first NCAA final four appearance.
During the summer of 2003, Awęhi:yo played for the Team Canada U-19 Field Lacrosse Team, and placed 3rd, was the third-leading scorer on the team and travelled on her Haudenosaunee Passport to England.
During 1998-2018, Awęhi:yo played for the Six Nations Women’s Field Lacrosse Club.
“I was very fortunate to have been brought up in a traditional household throughout my life,” said Awęhi:yo. “Coming from a strong line of ancestors on both my mother and father’s side, Haudenosaunee values were embedded in me from the day I was born. I was taught to be humble, respectful and thankful for everything around me from the earth to the sky – to keep a good mind no matter what may come. I was taught the important role everyone plays and ensuring we continue to practice and maintain our teachings and culture for the generations to come. I carry these values with me every day because they have made me who I am today and continue to teach me on and off the field. The lacrosse skills I have been given by the Creator had not only allowed me to share who I am, but who my people are. Breaking stereotypes and breaking down barriers for the younger ones behind me motivates me everyday to do my best. The teams I have been a part of have become family and I am thankful for everywhere the game has taken me.”
“I’ve had many people and coaches in my life who all played a crucial role in getting me to where I am today in my lacrosse career,” said Awęhi:yo. “But I am who I am on and off the field because of my father, Benny Thomas of the Mohawk Nation also from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He grew up with lacrosse in his veins coming from the Logan and Thomas families. He has been the one person who has positively influenced me as a competitive athlete, before I even found my love for lacrosse. He instilled a hardworking ethic in my mind at a young age to always give 1000% into whatever I chose to do. Put in the work to be the best. I remember always practicing in the yard before I’d go to practice, running me through drills and bringing a friend along who had knowledge in the game. Throwing my brothers in net for me to shoot on. My father supported me in the most meaningful way, and still does to this day. He taught me that if I trained and practiced like a champion, I could be a champion. While growing up I was taught to believe in myself with the skills I was given while building my mind and staying true to the values. He has always believed in me not only as a lacrosse player but also as a strong Haudenosaunee woman.”
“As an athlete I am currently training for the 2021 Women’s Field Lacrosse World Cup,” said Awęhi:yo. “The Haudenosaunee Nationals will be a tough team to make this time around with the majority of the women coming right out of their college/university lacrosse teams in D1. I really have to work my 33 year old behind off for this one! But I’m hungry for it!”
Awęhi:yo uses lacrosse as a platform to show the sovereignty of the Haudenosaunee People. “I’ve always stayed true to myself while representing my people as a sovereign nation,” said Awęhi:yo. “The proudest moment I have in my lacrosse journey, was when I competed with Team Canada U-19 Field Lacrosse Team at the World Cup in 2003. Not only was I among the first Haudenosaunee women to make the team, along with Katie Smith, I made the decision to travel on my Haudenosaunee passport even if it meant not guaranteeing me the chance to travel to London, England and compete with Team Canada. Eventually, I was held back from travelling with the team because of my decision. Everyone began to pressure me to get a Canadian passport, but I refused to change my identity. I made the decision not to compromise who I am and the values I was taught as a young woman. To this day, I only have a Haudenosaunee passport and that is something I will always be proud to say.”
“Before the pandemic went into full throttle and the stay-at-home rule was enforced I was entering my final week of a fitness program,” said Awęhi:yo. “That consisted of five boot camps and three lifts per week at the local athletic club. I was making great progress but now that we must stay put for what might be weeks to come I have had to readjust my fitness plan. My trainer sent me a few workouts that will help maintain what I have achieved so far and I really have to push myself to become more creative by incorporating what I have at home! With the World Cup in July of 2021, there is still a lot of time to continue to make progress with or without a pandemic! Training never stops! Stay Safe Everyone!”
Awęhi:yo brings her energy and enthusiasm from her training to empowering others. She has words of wisdom for others who are striving to be better athletes: “Never give up! Once you have a goal or dream, do everything you possibly can to achieve it. There may be a few hiccups along the way but do not let it scare you away. It’s only a hiccup, a tiny bump in the road and a test for your mental toughness. Pick yourself up and keep going! If you think it’s a huge bump that you cannot get over, take a step back and look at the big picture. Ask yourself, ‘what can I do to get around this bump?’ There is always, always a way. Anything is possible! If you believe in yourself, you will be very successful and achieve whatever you set your mind to!”
Photo Credit: Reems Landreth
