The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition had a busy weekend in the nation’s capital. On Friday, September 6, Council members and federal leaders convened at the Hubert H. Humphrey building in Washington, D.C. for the Council’s second annual meeting. After opening remarks from co-chair José Andrés, who joined remotely via Zoom, PCSFN Executive Director Rayhaan Merani offered a recap of the Council’s activities over the past year. Two discussion panels, moderated by Council members J. Nadine Gracia and Elana Meyers Taylor, respectively, served to spotlight the Council’s continued partnerships with national sports leagues and players associations as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. Panelists included Nicole Breen (NBA), Jonathan Nabavi (NFL), Rob Wooley (NHL Foundation), and former Secretary of Labor, Marty Walsh (NHLPA).
The latter half of the meeting honored the winners of the 2024 PCSFN Awards, which were given in person for the first time since 2019. Three categories of awards – the Community Leadership Award, the PCSFN Hero Award, and the Lifetime Impact Award – recognized individuals or organizations that have helped advance or promote messages of healthy physical activity, sports, or proper nutrition. A full list of the 2024 awardees can be found here.
On Saturday, September 7, the Council co-hosted the One Lacrosse Gathering on the National Mall with the National Park Service and National Fitness Foundation. Commemorating the second anniversary of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, this all-day event, led by Council member and member of the Osage Nation Ben Jacobs, was equal parts celebration and education, highlighting the core principles of the sport of lacrosse as well as honoring its historical roots and significance in Native American culture. Speakers at the event included HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine, National Park Service Associate Director Charles Cuvelier, and Oren Lyons, Onondaga Faith Keeper, Lacrosse Hall of Famer and known as the godfather of lacrosse. Attendees of all ages had opportunities to partake in lacrosse clinics and breakout games, and visit the Native Hub, where they could learn more about Native food and culture directly from Tribal Nation guests.
Many attendees and participants in Saturday’s event are hopeful that the event’s success and growing awareness of lacrosse’s Indigenous roots will lead to the Haudenosaunee Nationals being able to fly their own flag and represent Indigenous peoples on the world stage at the 2028 Olympic Games.
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