Since the Beginning of Time (2021)

TODAWAHSA:WE’ – a Seneca word—meaning “Since the Beginning of Time” is a piece created and designed by lacrosse stick weaver and dyer, Brody D. Jimerson, Wolf Clan, a Citizen of the Seneca Nation. It is representative of the Haudenosaunee Creation Story. Depicted on the head of the stick is Sky Woman. A celestial being that carried child and fell from a world beyond the skies. As she descended, she was gently carried by birds on to a giant turtle which began the foundation of Earth. Her daughter later gave birth to twins. One who reflected a Good Mind and the other—a Clouded Mind. These two sons dueled for control of Earth and played a stick ball (lacrosse) game to settle conflicted wishes. To this day, one basis of lacrosse is to remind us as people of this duality of good and clouded ways. It’s a reminder to work towards resolution with good intentions and not by the destruction of war. This story stick is completed with a root-side, hickory tree shaft—harvested and hand-carved by Dr. Rodney C. Haring (Seneca Nation, Beaver Clan)—further representing the connection of the Medicine Game to the roots of Earth, the honoring of Sky-Woman, and the remembrance of the first game.