What is the game lacrosse that northwest coast Indians played?

The game you are referring to is Stick Game (also known as Stickball or La Crosse), a game played by various indigenous cultures in North America, not just the Northwest Coast. While it's true that the Northwest Coast tribes had their own variations of the game, it's incorrect to call it "lacrosse."

Here's why:

* "Lacrosse" is a modern name: The game was named "Lacrosse" by French colonists in the 17th century, who saw the sticks used as resembling the crosier of a bishop (which is called a "crosse" in French).

* Stick Game is older: The game played by indigenous peoples predates the European arrival and had different rules and variations depending on the tribe.

* Northwest Coast version: The Northwest Coast version of the game often involved two teams of 20-30 players competing on a large field, using sticks with a net at the end. The goal was to score points by passing the ball through the opponent's goal.

So, while the Northwest Coast Indians played a version of Stick Game, calling it "lacrosse" is inaccurate. It's better to refer to it as Stick Game, Stickball, or La Crosse, acknowledging its indigenous origins.