08/25/2026
🌟 Aaniin Nagaajiwanaang
To our Fond du Lac Band community, families, and friends, we are proud to lift up one of our own today.
Bryan “Bear” Bosto, a proud member of our Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, has been named a soon to be inductee into the 2026 Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Dr. Dan Ninham Indigenous Lacrosse Award Category. This honor reflects years of dedication, service, and heart that Bear has poured into the Creator’s Game and into the lives of young people across Minnesota.
For more than two decades, Bear has used lacrosse as a pathway for youth development, cultural identity, leadership, and community strength. His work with Lax‑4‑Life has supported hundreds of Indigenous and non‑Indigenous youth, creating a space where young athletes learn the game while also learning about character, accountability, wellness, cultural pride, and leadership. His recognition through the White House Champions of Change program speaks to the impact he has made far beyond the field.
Bear has also served in leadership roles across the lacrosse community, helping expand access to equipment, coaching, and organized play for Indigenous and rural communities. His commitment to cultural exchange, including annual youth trips to Hawaiʻi, has helped young people connect with the deeper teachings and origins of the Creator’s Game.
We are grateful for the generations of athletes, coaches, mentors, and leaders Bear has inspired. His work continues to strengthen individuals, families, and communities in ways that will carry forward for years to come.
The 2026 Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Gala will be held on Sunday, September 27 at Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove from 4 to 7 PM. More details are in the comments.
Please join us in congratulating Bear and in honoring the heart, leadership, and community focus that he brings to so much that he does.
See below for the full messaging shared about him and this special recognition.
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[Full Text]
Bryan “Bear” Bosto, Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, will be inducted into the 2026 Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the Dr. Dan Ninham Indigenous Lacrosse Award Category.
The 2026 Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Gala will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Rush Creek Golf Course in Maple Grove, MN between 4:00-7:00pm. More details are in the comments.
Bio: Bryan “Bear” Bosto has dedicated more than two decades to advancing the sport of lacrosse throughout Minnesota and within Indigenous communities, establishing himself as a transformative leader, coach, mentor, and advocate. Through his vision and commitment, he has expanded participation, increased access to the game, and created opportunities for countless young athletes to succeed both on and off the field.
A proud member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Bosto has consistently used lacrosse, known traditionally as the Creator’s Game, as a vehicle for youth development, leadership, cultural identity, and community empowerment.
In 2011, Bosto co-founded Lax-4-Life, an Indigenous-led youth development program that has grown from a grassroots initiative into one of Minnesota’s most influential lacrosse camps and mentorship programs. Serving hundreds of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, Lax-4-Life combines high-level lacrosse instruction with lessons in character development, academic accountability, health and wellness, cultural pride, and leadership. Many participants have gone on to compete at the high school, collegiate, and club levels while returning to mentor and inspire future generations.
In 2012, Bosto and Lax-4-Life received national recognition through the White House Champions of Change program for their innovative work using sport to improve the lives of Indigenous youth through mentorship, education, healthy living, and community engagement. This honor affirmed the program’s growing impact and Bosto’s unwavering commitment to strengthening communities through lacrosse.
Beyond Lax-4-Life, Bosto has played significant leadership roles within the lacrosse community. He has served as Chairman of the Homegrown Lacrosse Board, a Board Member of the Indigenous Lacrosse Alliance, and a Board Member of the Northern Siege Lacrosse Association. Through these positions, he has helped expand programming, secure resources, develop coaches, and increase access to equipment and organized competition for Indigenous and rural communities throughout Minnesota.
Bosto has also championed international cultural exchange opportunities, leading annual lacrosse and cultural immersion trips to Hawaiʻi. These experiences connect Indigenous youth with Native Hawaiian communities, fostering cultural understanding, leadership development, and a deeper appreciation for the traditional origins and values of the Creator’s Game.
Bryan “Bear” Bosto’s legacy is defined not only by the programs he has built, but by the generations of athletes, coaches, mentors, and community leaders he has inspired. His lifelong dedication to growing the game, preserving its Indigenous traditions, and creating opportunities for others has had a profound and lasting impact on lacrosse in Minnesota. Through his leadership, service, and vision, he has helped ensure that the Creator’s Game continues to strengthen individuals, families, and communities forgenerations to come.
