By Mike Kinney
Local youth played traditional game of stickball as part of the fun activities at Native American Family Day at Nicholl Park on Saturday.
The event was held by the Native American Health Center and Contra Costa County Department of Health Services.
Among the activities were finger-weaving and traditional stickball, which was popular among the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole peoples. Stickball has always been much more than a game to the Cherokee people. Though once this ancient sport served a judicial or diplomatic function by settling tribal disputes before they led to war, today it’s a living cultural tradition. Stickball games are regularly played across the Cherokee Nation.
Saturday’s event also featured a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic, along with resources related to nutrition and health the community.
