Second Southeast Woodlands Stickball Summit Set for May 10

On Saturday, May 10, Tribal Nations will play Indigenous Stickball on traditional Muscogee Land in the heart of Atlanta for only the second time in over 200 years. The Southeast Woodlands Stickball Summit, organized in collaboration with Emory University’s Center for Native & Indigenous Studies, will showcase the history and future of the game to the public.  

The second iteration of this event welcomes Native American delegations from around the South to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park on Atlanta’s westside. Following an opening ceremony, tribal representatives and teams will engage in the traditional sport of stickball.  

Stickball is one of the oldest sports in North America, historically played by multiple Indigenous Nations. This summit provides a unique opportunity for tribal representatives, community leaders and supporters to come together, share their rich cultural heritage, and celebrate the Southeast Woodland Tribal Nations’ diverse traditions.  Spectators are invited to learn more about the history of the game and its evolution through the different styles.  

Schedule:  

• Game One: 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.  

• Game Two: 11:00-12:00 p.m.  

• Break for Lunch: 11:00-1:30 p.m.  

• Game Three: 1:30-2:00 p.m.  

• Closing Ceremony: 2:30-3:00 p.m. 

Stickball is a sport but also has an element of ceremony and politics to it. Click here to view our tips on how to mindfully observe the event. 

We hope you’ll join us and the participating nations at Shirley Clarke Franklin Park (Entrance I) to honor such an important cultural sport. 

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This year’s Southeast Woodlands Stickball Summit is done in partnership with Emory University’s Center for Native & Indigenous Studies. It’s made possible thanks to support from 285 Lacrosse, Georgia Swarm and Southern Empire Lacrosse. 

This program is also supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.