Ross Powless facts for kids
Alexander (Ross) Powless (born September 29, 1926 – died May 26, 2003) was a famous Mohawk lacrosse player. He came from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation near Brantford, Ontario. Ross Powless was known as a great leader for lacrosse and for Indigenous people. Many consider him one of the best lacrosse players in Canadian history. He is even called the "father of modern lacrosse." His amazing playing helped make box lacrosse popular again in the 1950s. He was also the father of another famous lacrosse player, Gaylord Powless. Ross Powless was added to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2020/21 for his important work in building the sport of lacrosse.
Playing Lacrosse
Ross Powless played for the Peterborough Timbermen. His team won the Mann Cup four times in a row, from 1951 to 1954. During this time, he lived with his wife Wilma and son Gaylord in a tent near Peterborough. In 1953, he won the Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy. This award is given to the most valuable player in the series.
In 1956, Ross was a player and coach for a team in Hamilton. He won the league's scoring championship that year. He also won almost every award from the Ontario Lacrosse Association. After his playing days, Powless coached different Indigenous teams. He led them to win three national titles. One of these was the Rochester Chiefs, who won the Can-Am Lacrosse League title in 1969.
He also coached a team that included six of his sons. They won the championship at the North American Indian Lacrosse Tournament. Ross later said this was one of his favorite moments. He won the Tom Longboat Award twice. This award honors Canada's best First Nations athlete. In 1969, he was added to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Ross is also a member of the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
His last season as a player was in 1967. He played for the Hagersville Warriors. In one game, he played against his son Gaylord, who was with the Oshawa Steelers. Ross and Gaylord are the only father and son pair in the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. They are also both in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Gaylord was inducted as an athlete in 2017, and Ross as a builder in lacrosse in 2020.
Coaching and Community Leadership
Ross Powless was a member of the Hamilton Carpenters Union. He helped build the first Burlington Skyway Bridge in 1956. He was proud that his son Gary later worked on the second bridge in 1986.
Ross was a player and coach for the Hamilton Lincoln Burners. He also helped start the Brantford Warriors lacrosse team. He played a big part in setting up hockey and lacrosse leagues on the Six Nations reserve. Ross was also a strong community leader. He served as a band councillor for eight years. He was also a band administrator for twelve years. His work helped improve the community on the Six Nations reserve.
In the late 1960s and 1970s, he coached the Brantford Warriors lacrosse team. Four of his sons, Gaylord, Gary, Harry, and Greg, played on this team. The team won the Canadian Senior B championship in 1968. Ross also organized the Iroquois Nations Cup Tournament during the 1960s and 70s. In 1997, he received an award for his volunteer service from the Ontario Municipal Recreation Association.
Family Life
In his later years, Ross worked as a building inspector on the Six Nations Reserve. He loved hunting with his dogs, Lady and George. Ross was also a very good pool player, gardener, and enjoyed telling jokes.
Ross was married to Margaret Wilma Powless (Bomberry) for 55 years. They raised 14 children together. They also had 27 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Their children were Gaylord (deceased), Gail, Gary (deceased), Audrey, Greg (deceased), Harry, Arlene, Richard, Victor (deceased), Darryl, Karen, Tony, Jeff (deceased), and Jacqui.
Ross was the son of Chancey Powless. His grandfather was Peter Powless. He was also the nephew of Sam, Dick, Cecil, and Titus Van Every.
