That was a beautiful piece that made me cry. I'm not Native American/Indigenous but I'm so happy that your team shared his story and displayed his craftsmanship. These are the historical facts/stories I rarely hear about or see in history books. It feels amazing to see this beautiful community represented. May his legacy continue long after he's gone. Those are irreplaceable works of art.
It makes me glad he has an apprentice, I wish this was the history that was taught in classes. There are so many beautiful crafts that are tied to equally as great people who share a rich history and this work, although tough, should be preserved protected and promoted. It's great to see it here. I really enjoyed the episode :)
When they suddenly started using past tense lesding up to that I got incredibly nervous and that still hit hard for a man i just learned sbout 15 minites ago.
Amazing editing tbh but it sorta seemed like it was meant to be right? Alfie held on long to enough to pass on his knowledge through this video 😢. It should survive forever
Then they came in with that complementary blow that "He was buried at Onondaga, with his lacrosse stick in hand". What a fitting traditional burial for a man who dedicated his life to the sport.
It's such a massive relief to see such respectfully told tributes about wonderful craftspeople, culture, heritage, and life. Thank you! I think we could use a lot more of this these days.
I agree. We need to teach the real history of these people j clueing the fact they had war crime slaves murder and alcohol. I'm so sick of people lying about factual and known history. Also Indians did NOT invent beads or beadwork that's a recent one I have keep correcting people on
That's so cool. I love learning about native American traditions. There's a college near me where all the native American students got together and built a traditional kayak using their grandparents knowledge and trial and error. Nobody thought they could do it but they paddled that thing all the way across the lake. It was absolutely amazing.
RIP Alfie. You made the stick and carried it till your last day. You preserved your culture and shared it with the world. I salute you master craftsman for keeping the tradition going.
literally insane how they banned indigenous players from playing their OWN game that they themselves invented... so wild to me how people could be so arrogant, selfish, and prejudiced. I struggle to comprehend it
When two sides fight a war the side that doesn't win is often discriminated aganist assuming the side that lost wasn't just wiped off the earth completely
@@skipfluck4299Funny, the Germans are doing pretty for having lost 2 wars, so are the Japanese. I'm really tired of this assinine argument that what the first nations are suffering is just normal because they lost a war. Do you also think the Ukrainians suffering is justified.
Wow that was so beautiful and sad. A true legend was lost, but his passion for the sport and his amazing craftsmanship and artistry should never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Alfie.
I am DEVASTATED by this loss. Alfie had the qualities of a Kung-fu Master. He had this Zen air about him that complimented his expertise in a way only the master of an ancient craft can. Be at Peace Alfie! Great on ya for pushing through the throws of cancer and holding on long enough to ensure such an important piece of our history is kept alive!! They're beautiful works of art that will carry on your (and our peoples') legacy, so thank you. Also grateful to his students, who are now well equipped and capable of making their own history, thanks to the tutelage of one of history's great Masters.
@@BoyProdigyX Nah man, Im with @sandlin22. You write as if you knew him personally but at the same time, the voice of a stranger. If you did know him personally, now you know why that comment was made. If you didn't know him personally, it's disrespectful to put on airs like that.
@@johnfry Well, MAN, it's also way too familiar the way trolls like you and your friend think they can tell other people what they can or can't say or how to feel. Nobody is "putting on airs", either. Black and brown people have a higher respect for one another and our cultures', and that's something y'all will never understand. And if you don't like something, there's nothing wrong with saying nothing at all. You're turning a few kind words into something nasty, so take advice from a grown up, and if you have nothing nice you say, then keep your troll mouth shut!
As white male in the US at lacrosse practice we would always talk about how the native americans invented one of the best sports in the world, we really did admire it.
Thank you so much for this video. Having one of his sticks has been a great honor for me. He was a gift to the game and a great loss to us all. The day he passed I had the kids in my clinic play a medicine game for him. The kids said it was the most fun all week. Thank you Alfie it was and please meeting you.
A true legend has passed. I hope dearly that his sons and others are continuing his craft. Native American traditions like this must celebrated and kept alive. Rest in Peace
Have loved lacrosse since I was very small. This was an excellent video all around and it pains me to know Alfie passed away. This video made my day. Thank you.
@@gabbar51ngh lmfao this is so false tennis came from "Most historians believe that tennis originated in the monastic cloisters in northern France in the 12th century, but the ball was then struck with the palm of the hand, hence the name jeu de paume ("game of the palm").[1] It was not until the 16th century that rackets came into use and the game began to be called 'tennis'. It was popular in England and France, and Henry VIII of England was an enthusiast of the game, now referred to as real tennis.[2]" The earliest known forms of bowling date back to ancient Egypt,[5] with wall drawings depicting bowling being found in a royal Egyptian tomb dated to 3200 BC and miniature pins and balls in an Egyptian child's grave about 3200 BC. Remnants of bowling balls were found among artifacts in ancient Egypt going back to the Egyptian protodynastic period in 3200 BC.[6] What is thought to be a child's game involving porphyry (stone) balls, a miniature trilithon, and nine breccia-veined alabaster vase-shaped figures-thought to resemble the more modern game of skittles-was found in Naqada, Egypt, in 1895.[4] many would argue egypt is not african in any shape or form. Many would argue that eygptians are not africans.
This man did something I think we all could learn from. He thoroughly enjoyed his life. The simple pleasures of hanging out with your old man, then your son. Listening to some old blues music in a warm workshop on a cold day, enjoying a good meal with good people. This man made all his money without working a day in his life because he truly enjoyed making these sticks. When I would play with the stick he made me other players would be a lot more gentle, not because they didn't want to hurt me, because they didn't want to break an Alfie Jaques original. His name carries a legendary prominence in the lacrosse world. His sticks are considered works of art no different than a Rembrandt. The world lost a good man, but The Creator gained one! Rest in Peace, Alfie. You did a great job!
The genuine smile this man carried when he spoke about his craft... It had me tear up near the end. I hope he watches over all the games from his place in the afterlife, knowing he gave so much to a sport that will never forget him!
I live in the Fingerlakes Region in Upstate NY....I'm American/Italian by ethnicity, but my father gave me his wooden Box Lacrosse stick way before I ever got my first baseball glove (age 5). Since that time, I've had a number of wooden sticks, but never one made by Alfie. I've played and loved this sport my entire life. God Bless you Alfie and RIP.
Requiescat in pace I didn't know him, but I knew the history of the LaCrosse game. Thanks for sharing his story, his passion. I'm glad to know he had apprentice to keep the tradition alive, but his passing hurt me more than I would ever imagine. As I said, I didn't know him, but seeing this video show me a man of passion, a man with a love for the simple joy of the day to day life. May his soul rest in peace, and his work stay alive for the next generation. Requiescat in pace Mr Jacques
From a fellow wood worker with a dream of being half as remembered as he was for his work and passion, my deepest condolences and may he rest in peace. Beautiful work and beautiful film.
This was beautiful. Other comments have expressed how amazing this was better than I could’ve ever. May Alfie’s legacy live on with this beautiful video and even more beautiful craftsmanship.
I appreciate you posting such an inspirational video. We are sharing it with all students in 7th grade in our school. It has completely changed their views on lacrosse, and gotten more than a few involved in the sport. Thank you Alfie Jacques.
Wow this gave me chills and tears! This was a quality level human that are a dying breed... we must look to ppl like him, regardless of ethnic history, to be able to sustain this world. Alfie is a golden example of what to aspire to in many ways. RIP dear Alfie.
Great story and an apparently great man, a leader among people, a true craftsman that can never be replaced, someone who should be honored each time one of his sticks is picked up to play a heritage sport created by his people. A marvelous tribute, thank you for sharing.
unfortunately there is nothing more europeans arriving in the Americas the last 400 years hate more than the godless heathens that are the Indigenous Americans. the only constant these last few hundred years is the destruction of everything native to the Americas including the land and water.
Played lacrosse for three years in high school and man it was probably the most fun I've ever had on any field or court. Watching him create the sticks was wonderful! It reminded me of Katsuhiro Miura making golf clubs. They both just have the perfect touch to make wonderful equipment for their respective sports.
Thanks for sharing this touching story. Chemo beats you up but he kept digging as deep as he could for as long as he could. A true warrior. Thanks Again.
Rest in peace Alfie. Thank you for sharing your art with us. I always hope that these Still Standing videos lead to more interest in keeping the traditions across the world alive.
Alfie seems like a cool cat to hang out with. I love how he described his ideal day perfecting these sticks with the blues seranading him while the snow falls. Purely beautiful. This man deserves a come back movie about him. I nominate James Edward Elmo's to play this gentle soul.
Wow. Nothing hurts more than when a craftsman passes on and we are left wanting for the knowledge of our elder. Good luck taking what he taught and keeping the traditions alive. Great work capturing a legend on film.
This is amazing. True craftsmanship. Have never played lacrosse but do play Irish hurling. We put on a clinic for some native peoples at the Missoula Celtic fest some years ago. The games, traditions, and stories really are parallel. It's great!
This was a wonderful homage to this honourable man. We should continue to sing the praises of the old-fathers and -mothers who have left such an imprint on our society. Our past should be celebrated, not buried. We can change with the times but keep the living memory alive. RIP Alfie Jaques.
What a beautiful man. Simple , content and humble. We should all be so lucky . Having that inner peace is not easy to come by . Thank you for sharing this story .
I grew up 15 minutes from this man. Lacrosse is a huge game in my hometown and surrounding areas. Great game. Such a rich history. The creators game. Nyawayha to this man
I’ve never played lacrosse in my life. My younger daughter has been playing since she was 6 and she 13. She plays year round for a local team and travel. I’ve grown to love this game and watching the game as much as I can. I’ve watched multiple documentaries on how the game originated and its history I have such a respect for what it means to the people who started the game. Much respect for this man and his impact on the game and his people. Rest in peace brother. The world is a better place because of your impact on it and the people you touched.
Amazing. R.I.P if I knew about him sooner I definitely would’ve bought one of his hand made masterpieces even though I don’t play but to have a piece of history from this master
They didn't. If you watched the video you'd have learned that the name, rules, and current concept is European. Natives played a completely different game with different rules by a different name. Your statement would be like someone saying the first person to stand on a board in water invented the sport of surfing 😂
@@Sandlin22 They did invent it, yes the game has changed, but so has every other sport. Every source out there credits Native Americans with inventing the game.
As a former lacrosse player, this is no longer just a piece of sports equipment, this is a work of art and a piece of history. I know a lot of lacrosse enthusiasts who would love to claim one of these as their own but the manufacturers are far in between resulting in very large backlogs. Even if you’ve managed to get your name down for an order, the expected arrival date is TBD. It’s a shame that the talent to make a traditional lacrosse stick is slowly diminishing and I hope the process can be passed down. Upholding the process is for sure a way to provide an important connection to the roots of the game and its history. RIP Alfie.
Tbh I’m part Native American and I didn’t know lacrosse was a sport we invented till saw this video. Hope this mans doing well and I hope his business prospers.
I agree. Some people are working for what they love and not how much they can make. Wooden sticks are a tough market for that reason. You need old trees for the strength (raising cost of materials). You need a quality build for the precision required. But it also needs to be cheap enough that a player can afford to buy one and actually use it. The feel of a good worked in wooden stick is something special. The power they have on defence is impressive because they are so rigid. But you can buy a molded plastic one with synthetic netting for half the price and it will preform much better. If you break your wooden stick it can take a while to get a new one worked in right. If you break a plastic stick you can replace it in minutes. I love the craft and what they can do but it’s hard for players to commit to a woodie. Both performance and financial.
I really hope he taught his apprentices enough to keep that legacy alive. I can’t claim to have roots that deep, but I can appreciate them when I see them.
That mans smile shows his soul. Shows his lust for life, and the beauty of the human. By sharing this little glimpse of a wonderful spirit he will live on through some young person somewhere watching this video. We could never afford a nice stick like this. Here’s something ,,,many of todays great hockey players played Lacrosse when hockey was over for the year…people like Wayne Gretzky and Doug Gilmore… they were good lacrosse players.
I played lacrosse for the first time my second year of college and, while I was really bad, I loved it. It's a special sport. I'll always cherish my time in the game. RIP, legend...
wow i played lacrosse in hs all four years and never played the sport before or after. the fact that people actually were buried with their own lacrosse stick, like i didnt know how serious and spiritual this game's origin is. This is so powerful. Thank you Haudenosaunee nation a korean american kid was able to build a life time of friendships and fond memories of team sports.
Wow wow wow. What an incredible man and incredible legacy. I'm ashamed to say this is the first time I've heard about the origins of lacrosse. More people need to know about its Native origins.
This makes me so happy. Such a relief this legend beat cancer. It also warms my heart to see he has an apprentice to keep this alive. Much love and respect.
His people's work, the Haudenosaunee nations constitutions of peace and governance between them, was referenced as a significant basis for the US Constitution. Respect, fam!
I recognized his stamp from my youth when i played, never knew it was from one of the last stick makers, seeing this i wish i had of kept it. this is not a game of bulk and strength, its a game of speed and reflexes, no real corporate sponsors like most sports but a game that reflected on the strengths of indigenous peoples whos history is hundreds of years old. I am proud of my native heritage even if it doesnt represent my day to day life, it still remains. Thank you Alfie for what you did.
“And then they banned indigenous people from playing” Wow you stole their sport, renamed it on YOUR RELIGION, and banned them. Wow. The audacity. Thank you for shining the light on this.
