by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Jeff Shattler plays for the Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). He is 6′ tall, weighs 205 lbs. and plays on the offensive end of the floor.
“My mother is from Wiikwemikong Unceded Indian reserve in northern Ontario,” said Jeff. “My father was from northern Quebec, Saint-Augustine and he’s Inuit. Both reside in Toronto, Ontario.”
“The reason I play lacrosse is to be connected to my heritage and the history behind the sport,” said Jeff. “I love playing lacrosse for what it means to our bloodline. I play for my children and to pass on the history of the game.”
“Since the start of my career in the NLL, I have been fortunate enough to win two NLL championships,” recalled Jeff. “One was in 2009 and the other in 2018. I have won the NLL MVP and Transition Player of the Year in 2011 as well as the 2018 playoff MVP. I played in the NLL now for 15 years which is an accomplishment on its own.”
“The most positive influence I had behind lacrosse is my sister Cindy Shattler,” said Jeff. “She always supported me and believed in my potential to succeed. She told me to never settle for anything less and keep striving for greatness.”
“I grew up in a very challenging community in Ontario, where there was a lot of crime and bad influences all around me,” said Jeff. “I used my love for lacrosse to keep me grounded and to keep my time occupied with positivity, by surrounding myself with positive influences. Growing up, I kept myself out of trouble a lot because I had to focus on lacrosse and training instead of my friends in the neighborhood.”
“Hockey and lacrosse were both very big in our house,” said Cindy Shattler. “There was rarely a day where there was not a practice, game or event. Even if there was one off, Jeff would be cradling the lacrosse ball throughout the house or taking shots at the net in the garage.”
“We used to rough house quite a bit growing up. Bumps, bruises, stitches, even teeth being knocked out, were a normal occurrence. I still tell him to this day, ‘You are a tough as you are because of me.’ I remember growing up and Jeff always got the ‘C’ for his team. Some people would assume he was the coach’s son, because he was given the title instead of earning it. However, every season, every year he would prove to everyone that he was deserving of his ‘C’. He lived and breathed the game and it showed in his amazing abilities to get the team pumped up and ready to win. They won and lost as a team always. Jeff has never been an individual player, never was and never will be,” added Cindy.
“Jeff would always be the first one there if his teammate was injured,” said Cindy. “He was very protective of all this buddies/teammates. They were a family: played, fought, grew, won and lost together. Jeff has always been well respected and gracious. Never letting his head or ego get the better of him. Jeff has many childhood friends and teammates that he is still close with to this day. Being a good friend, teammate and mentor is why this is possible.”
“I am so proud of the man, father and professional my little brother has grown into. He is doing what he loves and this puts him on top level,” added Cindy. “I always told him ‘You’re going to be on the Wheaties box for Lacrosse!’ I’m so proud that he is doing what he loves and bringing much needed attention and recognition to the Creator’s game. He is a true talent of the game, true man to his word and still a force to be reckoned with.”
“Jeff Shattler is a world class lacrosse player, he’s a former NLL MVP, former All-World Player, and NLL World Champion” said Gewas Schindler, Director of Men’s Box Lacrosse, Iroquois Nationals. “He can score, play great defense and is a dominating transition player. He’s clutch when he gets a championship game MVP, when the pressure is on full blast. The Iroquois nationals are very fortunate to have him on their roster, and he is a great ambassador for the Iroquois and the Ojibway Nations.”
Jeff Shattler is giving back to the sport of lacrosse by training others and providing program development in native communities. “I’m running a winter program out of Regina, working out of Standing Buffalo three days a week as the Director of Player Development,” said Jeff. “I also work a girls lacrosse program, Queens Lacrosse, once a month and also do a private session every Monday. Things have been really busy with the academy. We are also in the works to start a nations cup between eight reserves at the moment. It’s in the FHQ treaty 4 and Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation area.”
Patty Lou Racette, Physical Activity and Wellness Consultant, File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council addressed the program Jeff Shattler is working with them on: “I personally have had the honour of meeting and working with Jeff Shattler, during our Treaty Four annual Gathering with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and with the creation of our File Hills Qu’Appelle Lacrosse League within our seven First Nations schools.”
“The belief of having Jeff take the lead during our traditional games was the idea of Brad Johnson, Executive Director of Finance and Administration. From that moment on we had something incredibly special to offer our young people,” added Patty Lou.
“The youth of our Nations know who Jeff Shattler is and his reputation as a highly skilled professional Ojibway lacrosse player,” said Patty Lou. “Jeff also brings the values, beliefs, tradition and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. This aspect is imperative for our young people. They must be exposed to our own hero’s so they can see the reflection of themselves, and believe that anything is possible, and also know they have the power to be in charge of their own destiny. When you witness Jeff working with our and all youth, they are instantly attracted to him, and they surround him, listening to his words of encouragement and praise. He is an inspiration!”
“Jeff believes in sharing his gift, to give back to the youth, for them to go beyond their present existence and excel,” said Patty Lou. The students listen to Jeff because of who he is, being aboriginal. ‘It can be done!’ is his philosophy. Jeff is convinced that it is important to work with First Nations Youth because it has a positive impact, to surround themselves with positive people and to give them joy so they believe they can do it, and to empower them with the tools they need to be successful within the world.”
“Our future, our vision is to create the lacrosse league within our tribal council, to ignite the passion within our youth. In June 2020 we will have our first annual lacrosse tournament, it will be called the ’The Nations Cup’ headed by Jeff Shattler. Yes! The future of youth is bright with remodels like Jeff Shattler, it is an honor to walk beside him in the creation of this incredible vision,” added Patty Lou.
Photo Credit: Jeff Shattler
