Out of This World

Video by Sgt. John Angelo

Minnesota National Guard and Swarm Invest in Native American Youth

Minnesota National Guard

July 26, 2012 | 5:21

The Minnesota Swarm Professional Lacrosse Team, Minnesota Army National Guard and the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa have partnered to bring Lacrosse back to the Tribal Communities. These partners look at this unique venture as a way of offering a healthy alternative to much that afflicts our children, to include gangs, drugs, violence and obesity. The camp helped players develop their stick skills and learn offensive and defensive strategies from Minnesota Swarm players, coaches and staff while preserving the heritage of the game of Lacrosse! Guardsmen, nutritionists and camp counselors taught classes on Resiliency, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention during this week long camp. The culmination of a week of practicing and camp was a game between two teams. The game of Lacrosse is called the Creators Game. Three female campers from various tribes talk about the camp. from left to right Tea Drift, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Anna Davis, Mille Lacs Ojibwe and Faryn Dupis, Fondulac Band of Ojibwa. Stephanie Weibye on the left, Police Officer, Minneapolis Police Department and Jo Lynn Shopteese, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council are both third year volunteers for the camp. Jo Lynn is also a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi of Kansas. Sgt. First Class Richard Kargel, Recruiting and Retention NCO, Minnesota National Guard, Cloquette, MN. Talks about the Guards involvement in the LAX 4 Life camp. Assistant Coach for the Minnesota Swarm (NLL) lacrosse team, Assistant Coach for the University of Minnesota Men's Club lacrosse team and Head Coach of the East Ridge High School lacrosse team talks about why he coaches the camp and the Minnesota National Guards involvement in it.