First Nations Media

Noah Snyder Remembered as Scholar, Athlete, and Haudenosaunee Lacrosse Player After Fatal Crash

The lacrosse world is mourning the loss of Noah Snyder, a 20-year-old sophomore at Marquette University and proud Haudenosaunee lacrosse player from the Seneca Nation in New York, who was killed in a car crash Friday night in Milwaukee.

A statement was released by the Seneca Nation via Facebook — “The Seneca Nation wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences and support to the family, friends, and teammates of Noah Snyder. Our entire community mourns this loss with you. We are all heartbroken by this tragedy. We wish you a peaceful journey Noah as you travel to be with the Creator in the Spirit World.”

Police said a driver struck a vehicle carrying six passengers near the intersection of North 27th Street and West St. Paul Avenue. Snyder and fellow student-athlete Scott Michaud died at the scene. The 41-year-old driver was taken into custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

At Marquette, Snyder was more than a standout on the field. A business major in the College of Business Administration, he balanced academics with athletics, earning recognition on the BIG EAST All-Academic Team for maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 13 of the team’s 14 games, recording nine goals and seven assists.

But his identity extended far beyond campus. Snyder proudly carried the traditions of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, representing his people on the international stage as a member of the Haudenosaunee Nationals U20 team. In that role, he honored the game known as the “Creator’s Game,” a sport that has spiritual and cultural meaning stretching back centuries.

The Haudenosaunee Nationals released a statement honoring Snyder, saying he represented the values and traditions of his people “with grace and dignity.”

Closer to home, Snyder was remembered for his roots in Western New York lacrosse. A former player for the Jr. Bandits, the program called him “always part of our family,” praising his kindness and passion for the sport.

Marquette University also released a statement:

“The two students were Noah Snyder and Scott Michaud, both student-athletes on the lacrosse team. Both Noah and Scott were strong students, being named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team at Marquette for maintaining a 3.0 grade point average.”

For those who knew him, Snyder’s life embodied a balance of dedication—to his studies, his teammates, and the Haudenosaunee heritage that gave meaning to the game he loved. His loss is deeply felt not only by his family and community, but by the wider lacrosse family and relatives across Turtle Island.

— FNTV

Kahnawake Hunters Win First-Ever Founders Cup Championship (Read full story below)

The Kahnawake Hunters have made history, capturing their first-ever Founders Cup championship and establishing themselves as one of Canada’s top Junior B lacrosse teams.

Their undefeated tournament run featured four straight wins against teams from across Turtle Island, including the Mountainview Mavericks (13–9), Nova Scotia Privateers (20–6), Seneca WarChiefs (10–5), and Calgary Shamrocks (12–6).

The tournament, hosted at the 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Jim Starlight Centre on the Tsuut’ina First Nation, came to a dramatic close with a tense championship game between the Coquitlam Adanacs and the Kahnawake Hunters. Early on, it looked like the Adanacs had the edge, taking a 4–2 lead in the second period. But the momentum quickly shifted as the Hunters found their rhythm. The game ended in a commanding 9–4 victory for Kahnawake, sealing their undefeated run with a powerful comeback performance.

This win represents more than a national title—it carries deep significance for the Mohawk community of Kahnawake. Lacrosse holds powerful cultural and spiritual meaning in Indigenous communities, and the Hunters’ success on the national stage reflects their commitment to honoring and continuing that tradition.

The Kahnawake Hunters were founded in 2009 to create opportunities for local players to compete beyond the minor lacrosse level. Before the team’s formation, athletes often had to leave the community to pursue Junior B lacrosse elsewhere. By entering the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League, the Hunters created a space for Indigenous players to grow and compete while remaining grounded in their community and culture.

The Kahnawake Hunters’ Founders Cup victory marks a proud and unforgettable moment for the team and their community—a reflection of years of dedication, growth, and connection to the game’s Indigenous roots. As they look ahead to the 2026 Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League season, set to begin in the spring, the Hunters carry the confidence of champions. Fans can also anticipate next year’s Founders Cup, which will be held in Saint John, New Brunswick, at Harbour Station in August 2026.

By: Kassidy Jacobs, Journalist — First Nations Media Network