The First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League (formerly Iroquois Nations Junior B Lacrosse League) is a
box lacrosse
Box lacrosse, also known as boxla, box, or indoor lacrosse, is an indoor version of lacrosse played mostly in North America. The game originated in the 1930s in Canada, where it is more popular than field lacrosse. Lacrosse is Canada's officia ...
league sanctioned by the
First Nations Lacrosse Association
First Nations Lacrosse Association (FNLA; formerly Iroquois Lacrosse Association) is a member of Lacrosse Canada with associations in both Canada and the United States centred in Native American Communities.
In addition to youth associations, ...
. The league was formed in 2014 with the restructuring of the
Canadian Lacrosse Association
Lacrosse Canada (), formerly the Canadian Lacrosse Association, founded in 1867, is the governing body of lacrosse in Canada. It conducts national junior and senior championship tournaments for men and women in both field and box lacrosse. There ...
. Four teams competed in the inaugural season.
The league winner earns a spot in the
Founders' Cup, the national championship of Junior B lacrosse in North America.
History
The first game in INJBLL history was contested between Tonawanda and Seneca on May 24, 2014 at Cattaraugus Community Center. Seneca won the game 27–4. Brandon Brooks (7 goals, 6 assists) was named Player of the Game.
The WarChiefs finished a perfect 12–0 regular season and went on to win the playoff title over Onondaga 3–1 (best-of-5 series). Seneca finished as Silver medalist at the 2014
Founders Cup, falling 14-7 to the
Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League champion
Six Nations Rebels.
In 2015 the league joined forces with the
Montreal Junior Lacrosse League to for a 7-team league, renamed First Nations Junior B Lacrosse League. Teams play each other twice in the regular season for a 12-game schedule.
Fédération de crosse du Québec
The Fédération de crosse du Québec (FCQ) is the governing body of lacrosse in Quebec, Canada. Its purpose is to encourage the development of lacrosse in Québec and to contribute to the sport's growth internationally. The FCQ governs all box, ...
(FCQ) member teams Montreal Jr. Shamrocks and Vermont Jr. Voyageurs are not eligible to represent the FNLA at Founders Cup.
On May 16, 2015, the Montreal Jr. Shamrocks won the first-ever FNJBLL game, 6–5
over Kanehsatake Warriors. The game was played at Aréna Kevin-Lowe in
Lachute, Québec.
After playing eight games in the 2015 season the Jr. Voyageurs withdrew from the league, citing player commitments.
Seneca repeated as league champion in 2015 winning the two-day playoff tournament on July 24–25 at Cattaraugus Community Center. The WarChiefs defeated Tonawanda Jr. Braves 29–3 in a semifinal before downing Onondaga Jr. Redhawks in the championship game.
Kanehsatake Jr. Warriors went on hiatus for the 2016 season leaving the league with four teams. Seneca WarChiefs dominated the competition finishing a perfect 10–0 regular season, outscoring opponents 210–59. The WarChiefs went on to sweep Onondaga in a two games (best-of 3 playoff) to win their third-consecutive league championship.
Teams
Former teams
Kanehsatake Jr. Warriors (2015)
Mohawk Medicine Men (2017–19)
Montreal Jr. Shamrocks (2015)
Onesquethaw Smoke (2023)
Onondaga Jr. Redhawks (2014-2024)
Rochester J-Hawks (2014–16)
Tonawanda Jr. Braves (2014–17; 2022)
Tyendinaga Thunder (2018–19)
Tyendinaga Spearmen (2025)*
Vermont Jr. Voyageurs (2015)
*Tyendinaga did not compete in the 2025 season, however they remain in good standing with the league and are set to beocome competing members in the 2026 season.
Champions
Founders' Cup
References
External links
FNJBLL website@FNJBLL on X
FNLA website
Onondaga Redhawks website
Rochester J-Hawks website
Seneca WarChiefs website
Tonawanda Braves website
{{Box lacrosse leagues
Lacrosse leagues in Canada
Lacrosse leagues in the United States
Lacrosse of the Iroquois Confederacy
Sports leagues established in 2014
Indigenous sports and games in Canada
Native American sports and games