The WorkShop Content Studios and One Bowl Productions recently secured an agreement to co-produce programming intended to strengthen various linear and streaming platforms.“Following the incredibly rewarding experience and education The WorkShop’s team was blessed with through our production of Basketball or Nothing, we wanted to continue to be involved in creating content that helps tell crucial Native American stories that have been mostly ignored for far too long," Executive Producers for One Bowl Productions,Tom Farrell, said. “We’re very excited to now have that opportunity through our new partnership with Oren Lyons and the One Bowl team.”
The initiative, created with a focus on Native American stories. The company has already produced a variety of authentic content showcasing insightful stories about Native Americans and their lives on their slates, including, "Sacheen: Breaking the Silence," "Spirit Game: Pride of A Nation," the upcoming, "The Exiled," and the animated children’s series "Thompsons: Blood Brothers." Additionally, the Iroquois Nationals Board and One Bowl Productions with The WorkShop Content Studios have reached an agreement to document the story of the Iroquois Nationals, one of lacrosse's most popular teams and the only professional sports team belonging to an Indigenous nation.
Production began last October with filming of the Nationals competing in Maryland against the top-ranked Canadian and USA teams. For the first time, these top teams participated in the new Olympic game play format of “Sixes” - 6 vs. 6. Being filmed in cinéma-vérité style. Upon confirming the release, CEO and Executive Producer Tom Farrell and One Bowl Productions’ Founding Member and Principal Partner Oren Lyons also revealed that Iroquois vs. The World (WT) will be the first original docu-series from the new venture.
The documentary series follows the Iroquois Nationals as they prepare and compete at the 2022 World Games and continue their ongoing fight for eligibility when lacrosse is expected to return to the Olympics in 2028. Despite being ranked as the #3 team in the world, the Nationals weren’t originally invited to play at the World Games, but they were eventually added after an online petition gained over 50,000 signatures and Team Ireland gave up their spot in the tournament to the Iroquois.
The tournament play in Iroquois vs. the World will serve as a springboard to not only tell important stories about lacrosse’s role in Iroquois history. The show will show the sucess off the Nationals as they set their mind on winning a first-ever gold medal at the 2022 World Games and possibly gain an Olympic berth in 2028, their biggest quest is a global one for acceptance and inclusion by and for all. “I have two heroes who have inspired me to work hard for Indian Nations and Peoples ̶ Tecumseh for his broad vision of uniting nations to keep our lands and our heritage intact…and Native American, the great Jim Thorpe and his amazing accomplishment that has never been equaled by winning the Decathlon and Pentathalon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Sweden ̶ a feat still unmatched in the history of the Olympics," Oren R, Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Council of Chiefs, Haudenosaunee (Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy) and co-founder of the Iroquois Nationals said.