Delisle headed to the Hall

To Tewenhni’tatshon Louis Delisle, the game of lacrosse was not one he got so heavily invested in because he was looking for any sort of recognition.

“The words Hall of Fame, they didn’t mean anything to me,” said Delisle, who was announced as one of the 16 inductees in this year’s Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame class as a builder.

Along with his many years of service in Kahnawake and outside the community as a coach, mentor to players and coaches, and administrator of teams, he was also a “leader in the creation” of what is now the Kahnawake Mohawks Minor Lacrosse Association in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

“I was really emotional when they contacted me,” said Delisle.

He reflected proudly on the enduring legacy of the hard work he had spent so many years on.

“The fact that I worked very hard on starting teams and leagues in Kahnawake, and many of the players I coached have become coaches and have kept the sport alive with the community,” said Delisle.

“All the work, it was a passion, and it’s continuing today. I watch the Hunters, I watch the Senior players, I watch the U15, U17, U19 teams, and it’s just a continuation of what I felt was really important as I grew up in the 50s and 60s.”

The Creator’s game has also been a way for Delisle to connect to his culture, as a Kanien’kehá:ka man.

“Lacrosse kept me connected to what I was, and I appreciate it. I was wanting to learn about myself and that came out of lacrosse,” said Delisle.

“That stayed with me. And to this day, I think that’s the most important thing with the lacrosse teams.”

Delisle has been inducted in a hall of fame once before, the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, in 2014 as a player and a builder.

He thought then the same as he did now about his nomination.

“In terms of getting it, it’s not for me, it’s for lacrosse and the community of Kahnawake,” he said.

The induction ceremony will be held on November 1 at Mont Hill Golf & Country Club in Caledonia, Ontario.

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