The Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council is proud to announce the opening of registration for athletes interested in trying out for the 2025 Prairie Cup

The Alberta Lacrosse Association is pleased to offer the following opportunity for indigenous athletes to participate in the Prairie Cup. Note that the registration link included in the below release is not currently taking credit card payments. Athletes can still register and pay before the date of the tryouts. An etransfer option is available at registration. Etransfers must include the athlete's full name and 'AIBC Tryout' in the notes so that your payment can be allocated to your registration. 

Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council Registration Release

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work, and play the Creators game on the traditional territories of Treaty 6, 7, and 8, as well as the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 1 through 6.

The Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council (AIBC) is proud to announce the opening of registration for athletes interested in trying out for the 2025 Prairie Cup in Brandon, MB. We are grateful for the support of the Alberta Lacrosse Association (ALA) and the host society for providing the opportunity to compete as an Alberta Indigenous entry in their U13 and U15 Divisions.

AIBC is led by a dedicated board, including Blaine Raine, Kim Lucid, Kevin Buffalo, Chad Chief Moon (Cody Thompson), and Stu Sterparn. Our team has been actively organizing Indigenous lacrosse initiatives since 2013, preparing teams to represent Alberta at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in 2014, 2017, 2020 (canceled), and 2023. In addition to NAIG, we have worked to create ongoing opportunities for Indigenous lacrosse players between competitions, including exhibition games, 4-on-4 tournaments, and participation in events such as the Parkland Fall Classic, CALL Frozen Four, Alberta Indigenous Games, Edmonton Masters Lacrosse League, and the inaugural Chris Letendre Memorial Tournament.

AIBC is committed to organizing and supporting Indigenous teams for lacrosse opportunities not currently offered by the Alberta Lacrosse Association. We look forward to working together to build strong foundations and pathways for Indigenous lacrosse in Alberta. Note that at this time the registration (link here) does not accept credit card payments. We are working with our IT service provider to update this option soon. Etransfer payment options are available as noted in the registration. Etransfers must note the players name, age group and say 'AIBC Tryout' in the note.

Our Mandate

The Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council (AIBC) is dedicated to providing Indigenous youth and adults with opportunities to participate in lacrosse programs and competitions across Alberta, our Traditional Homelands, and the territories of our Indigenous relations across Turtle Island (Canada and the USA). Our mission includes securing financial support for equipment, tournament fees, and travel costs for both sanctioned and non-sanctioned tournaments and national competitions. Through this work, we aim to empower Indigenous athletes to achieve athletic excellence while upholding Indigenous values and serving as role models within their Nations and Communities.

Tryout Information

The tryouts will be held at the Four Nation Arena in Maskwacis, Alberta on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Please note that this is a full-day tryout with two sessions scheduled. The morning tryout session will commence with a smudge ceremony. We invite all participants to partake in this traditional practice as we begin the day. Specific timings for both the morning and afternoon sessions will be communicated to you upon confirmation of your registration.

During the tryouts, coaches and evaluators will assess players' skills, athleticism, and overall suitability for the team. We encourage you to come prepared and ready to showcase your best abilities.

Successful registrants will be advised of the tryout results by Friday, June 20, 2025. Please note that successful applicants will be required to pay an additional registration fee of $600. Further details regarding payment will be provided upon notification of selection.

Indigenous Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for registration with the Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council, interested individuals must meet the following criteria:

1. Proof of Alberta Residence:

Applicants must provide valid documentation demonstrating current residency in the province of Alberta.

2. Proof of Indigenous Ancestry:

Applicants must provide one of the following documents as proof of their Indigenous ancestry:

a) Proof of Status or Métis Card: A valid and recognized Status Card issued by Indigenous Services Canada or a valid Métis card issued by a recognized Métis organization (e.g., Métis Settlement or Metis Nation of Alberta).

b) Proof of Application Process: Official documentation confirming that the applicant is currently in the process of applying for a Status Card or a Métis card from a recognized organization. This documentation should include the applicant's name and the date of application.

c) Consideration for Alternative Documentation (Letter Describing Indigenous Lineage): The Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council recognizes that some individuals may face circumstances where the documentation listed above is not readily available. In such cases, applicants may submit a detailed letter outlining their Indigenous lineage and connection.

This letter will be subject to review by the Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council.
As part of this review process, applicants may be required to provide a signed form acknowledging their lineage from a First Nation or Métis Settlement/Nation. The signature on this form should be from a recognized representative of the respective First Nation or Métis Settlement/Nation, confirming that the registrant is the child of a parent who is a member of that First Nation or Métis Settlement/Nation.
For clarity, this letter and signed acknowledgement form are not a request for the First Nation or Métis Settlement/Nation to approve the registrant's membership. Applicants who wish to become members of a First Nation or Métis Settlement/Nation must adhere to the specific membership processes established by that First Nation or Metis Settlement/Nation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the following Alberta Indigenous Baggataway Council representatives: