Indigenous Stickball Game

Natalie M. Welch is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and grew up on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina. Natalie is currently an assistant professor of Sport Management in the School of Business at Seattle University, teaching Marketing and working with the Sport and Entertainment Management MBA graduate program. She is a two-time alumnus (BS and PhD) of the University of Tennessee and the University of Central Florida (MBA) and has professional experience working at Nike N7 and Wieden+Kennedy. Natalie is passionate about advocating for Indigenous athletes and equity across all of sport.

Addison Karl (b. 1982) is a visual artist, who was born in Denver and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Contemporary self-taught artist, Addison’s work is created in the United States and Internationally. Throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. His work includes paintings, sculptures, installations, and public art, including large-scale murals.

He builds from an early background in printmaking, held in a private studio for more than 15 years. Addison’s ongoing determination to keep learning about both traditional Chickasaw and Choctaw methods of creating, as well as contemporary painting and sculpture techniques. Through his work, he creates a visual narrative that responds to his heritage and being a Culture Bearer.

Casey Bigpond is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. He is Half Choctaw/Half Creek. Raised on the Pearl River Reservation in Choctaw, Mississippi. At an early age, his interest in tribal traditions led him to take up Choctaw cultural arts.
Casey is now a young traditionalist, one of the few young artisans who are becoming the tradition-bearers of the Choctaw people. A skilled craftsman, Casey’s work includes making the “Kabocha” and “Towa” — the sticks and ball used in the ancient Choctaw game of Stickball; crafting blow guns and rabbit sticks – traditional hunting weaponry; and creating beaded medallions.

Ace Greenwood (Chickasaw/ Cherokee) was raised in a traditional home where he was exposed to the Southeastern way of life. he began playing the social game when he was only a child, then the ceremonial game of stickball in his teen years, and introduced to the tournament style within the last decade. he has stepped on the field of most Southeastern tribes game and has a love for all of the styles. Ace currently coaches and teaches the game to many different groups, ages, and nationalities through camps, presentations, and demonstrations. “There are many things that we as human beings can learn from a simple game. we can’t afford to let it go away.”

My name is Tosh C. Welch. I have worked for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for 15yrs across the areas of Higher Education, Recreation. I currently work for the EBCI in the Emergency Operations Communications Center. I possess a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Affairs from Western Carolina University as well as being an Alumni of the Native Leadership Institute at The University of North Carolina @ Chapel Hill. I earned my Ed.S. from The University of Georgia in Adult Learning; Higher Education Emphasis.

Dr. Monte Randall is Muscogee (Creek) from the Talladega Tribal Town and Deer Clan. He is a veteran of the United States Navy and the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Monte is a graduate of Haskell Indian Nations University, the University of Oklahoma, and Oral Roberts University, where he received a doctorate in educational leadership. He resides in Glenpool, OK, with his wife Lauren and three children.