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IIJL WORLD U16 LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP (WU16LC) Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back 2022 Gold Medal: Haudenosaunee Kaidyn (Honrahdagwaisro's) Lickers-Henry , Kariwanoro Squire, Katinóntie Bear Martin, Moagi Buffalo, Parker Booth, Parker Thompson, Ryker Powless, Stone Mcgregor, Tehohonwáthe Bomberry, Thunder Hallett, Trelin Warrior, Tristan Garlow, Warren Cook President: Gewas Schindler General Manager: Sakoneseriiosta Maracle Assistant Manager: Cam Hill Head Coach: Rich Kilgour Assistant Coach: Ron Cogan Assistant Coach: Al Jones

Teams 1899 Carlisle Indian Industrial School 2017 NIFA Ladies Team Indigenous Canada Can Am Warriors Iroquois Nationals 2003 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Silver Medalists Iroquois Nationals 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Silver Medalists Onondaga Redhawks 2014 President’s Cup Champions Six Nations Arrows 2007 Minto Cup Champions 1999 Iroquois Nationals AlgonCrees Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Iroquois Nationals 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Silver Medalists Kahnawake Hunters 2025 Founder’s Cup Champions Sagkeeng Old Timers The North Americans 2015 Team Canada Women's Soccer Anishnabe Iskwewak IIJL WORLD U16 LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP (WU16LC) Iroquois Nationals 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Silver Medalists Onondaga Redhawks 2010 President’s Cup Champions Six Nations Arrows 1992 Minto Cup Champions

< Back Sydney Lawrence Sydney Lawrence Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Sydney Lawrence was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas to parents Larry and Pam Lawrence. She has four sisters - Mandy, Melody, Magen, and her twin sister Lauren. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Lawrence attended Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma. She was the first in school history to earn All-State Cross Country honors. She was also the first in school history to earn multiple state titles including two in track and field and two in cross country. In addition, she earned Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-State honors her senior year in recognition of her athletic achievements and faith. After high school, Lawrence went on to run cross country and track for Oklahoma Baptist University. During her sophomore year, she won the 3,000 meter championship title in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Track Championships in Houghton, NY. During her junior year, she earned NCAA Division II All-American honors by finishing in the top 40 at the National Championship in Evansville, Indiana. She also earned Great American Conference honors and was on the podium at the conference, regional, and national level. In 2020, Sydney went on to Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. In 2023, she graduated and began working while discovering a passion for triathlon competitions. She competed in the XTERRA North American Championship in Birmingham, Alabama where she qualified for the XTERRA World Championship in Molveno, Italy. Sydney currently resides in Northwest Arkansas as a physical therapist where she runs and participates in endurance sports in her spare time. <Back

< Back Cynthia Yerby Cynthia Yerby Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Cynthia Yerby, a proud member of the Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma, was a 10-time Women’s Arm-Wrestling Champion, a student counselor/advocate, and a cultural artist. Cynthia was a dedicated and inspirational professional with 35 years of experience as a college counselor, empowering students – especially those from Indigenous and underrepresented backgrounds – to pursue higher education and personal growth. Cynthia had been recognized globally for her athletic excellence, cultural representation, and unwavering commitment to mentorship and leadership. Cynthia received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology and her Master of Education in Counseling and Student Services from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. She was an inductee of the Seminole State College Hall of Fame and an inductee of the National Arm-Wrestling Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Sports Museum. Cynthia was a recipient of the AARP Indian Elders Award. She was also awarded the SSC Emeritus Status. As an advisor/college counselor for Seminole State College, Cynthia advised and mentored thousands of students across three decades, with a strong focus on first-generation, Indigenous, and underserved populations. She partnered with tribal education offices and national organizations to increase college access for Native youth. Cynthia received multiple university and community service awards for excellence in counseling and mentorship. Cynthia is the founder and lead designer for Native Designs by Cynthia Yerby: Seminole Patchwork & Fashion. She creates hand/machine-sewn, custom patchwork garments rooted in Seminole tradition with contemporary flair. Her work has been worn in fashion shows, powwows, stomp dances, and cultural celebrations across the U.S. and Canada. Cynthia’s patchwork has also been published in “Piecework Magazine”. Cynthia’s athletic achievements included being named the 1997, 1998, and 2001 USWA/USAA World Wrist-Wrestling Champion. She was named the 1998 and 1999 World Arm-Wrestling Federation Ladies Masters Champion. Cynthia was the 10-time USA Women’s World Champion, an international competitor and represented Team USA worldwide including Russia, Japan, Finland, Sweden, and Canada. Inducted into the New York Wrestling Hall of Fame, she was an 11-time United States National Champion and holds 31 state championships across the country. Notable opponents Cynthia defeated includes country music/acting star Tim McGraw, blues legend B.B. King, and former football coach Barry Switzer. <Back

Saturday, May 30th 2026 Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame will recognize the 2026 inductee class as well as other annual inductees in an exclusive ceremony and lunch on Saturday, May 30, 2026. By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of these individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics. Individual banquet tickets cost $50.00 USD each. Children ages 8 and above costs $30.00 USD each. Payment may be made via the postal service with a check/money order payable to: Empowered Youth Initiative Directives, Dan Ninham, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, 56671, USA or PayPal to code: coach.danninham@midco.net and make sure the full payment is USD. The deadline to purchase banquet tickets is Noon, Central Time (CT) on May 15, 2026 Austin Straubel International Airport: The Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, WI is across the road from the host Oneida Casino Hotel and Conference Center: https://www.flygrb.com/ Host Hotel Information: Oneida Hotel and Conference Center, https://www.oneidahotel.com/ Reservations for the Event will be made by individual attendees directly with Hotel’s reservation department. (Call 800-238-4263 or the hotel direct at 920-494-7300). In order to receive the group rate, your attendees must ask for a room in the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame 2026 room block. Additional Hotel Information: If and when the second hotel block gets booked, contact Dr. Dan Ninham for hotel considerations. There may be another hotel block offered but there may be good deals in the area. This is the NAIAHF website: https://www.naiahf.org/ Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham, Directors, NAIAHF, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, USA, 56671, cell: 218.368.6430 coach.danninham@gmail.com 2026 NAIAHF Banquet Weekend Schedule Saturday 5/30/2026 8:00am Morning Smudge Ceremony Dr. Artley Skenandore Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, WI Saturday 5/30/2026 9:00am Doors Open to 2026 NAIAHF Banquet Three Clans Complex, Oneida Casino Hotel Saturday 5/30/2026 9:30-11:30am Welcome: Susan Ninham Flag Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Memorial Recognition and Moment of Silence: Ernie Stevens Jr. Family Memorial Honor Song: Chief Philip Whiteman Jr. Blessing for the Food: Susan Ninham Banquet Buffet Breakfast Music Performance: Keith Secola, Anishinaabe, Singer/Songwriter, https://secola.com/ Meet and Greet Inductees Reception Saturday 5/30/2026 11:30 Awards Ceremony: Sponsor Acknowledgment and Speaker Introductions: Dr. Dan Ninham Individual and Team Inductee Recognition: Susan and Dr. Dan Ninham Oneida Smoke Dancers Inductee Group Photo Drawing Prizes During the Banquet Traveling Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Inductee Banners Distribution

NAIAHF Film Screenings Oneida Casino Hotel Three Clans Conference Center Green Bay, WI, USA Saturday, May 30, 2026 Free and Open to the Public Featuring the films of NAIAHF inductees in the Media category The Long Walk/A Dance with Humanities 2:00pm, 66:00 runtime Filmmakers: Edison Eskeets, Diné and Philip Lawrence The Long walk is a documentary created to remember the experiences of the Navajo people during a historic event that forced men, women, elderly and children over 330 miles Medicine Ball 3:15pm; 57:00 runtime Filmaker: Leaya Hale, Sisseton/Wahpeton Dakota, Diné "Medicine Ball" follows Native college athletes, Lexus Redthunder and Leroy Fairbanks IV, as they navigate college life and basketball at the University of Minnesota Morris located on the site of a former Native boarding school. Their journey reveals how basketball became a powerful symbol of resilience, hope, and cultural pride in Native communities. My Native America 4:20pm, 75:00 runtime Filmaker: Jim Warne, Oglala Lakota This production is a long-term dream to create a show that share stories and perspectives from a wide representation of Indigenous Tribal Nations. Join me as we learn about an America you may not know... Indian Country... the indigenous communities within the hundreds of Tribal Nations throughout the US. Wopila Carley Buckets 5:45pm, 25:00 runtime Filmaker: Mark Williams, Choctaw A small Choctaw reservation gets behind Tribal member Carly Keats, as she overcomes hardships and adversity in taking her basketball journey to the University of Arkansas.

Honoring and recognizing the empowered journey of North American Indigenous athletes. North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of these individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics and life. Read About NAIAHF 2026 North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Saturday, May 30th 2026 Oneida, WI USA Learn More Athletes Coaches Builders Teams Media Officials Trainers Inductee Search

Coaches Alex “Askie” Askenette Menominee Cherlyn Dawn Billy Shuswap Nation Fern Spencer Hopi/Navajo Jacqueline Lavallee Metis Jason Peters Mi’kmaw Kelvin Sampson Lumbee Mark Burnam Mohawk Orin Lou Askenette Menominee Athena Aitken Anishinaabe/Hocąk Craig Berube Cree Gerald “Jerry” Tuckwin Prairie Band Potawatomi Jason G. Montoya Santa Ana Pueblo Jonathan Harmon Hopi Kerry Danforth Oneida Marty Ward Cherokee Rick Baker Hopi August Wesley Narragansett Dano Thorne,’kwaliquinum’ Coast Salish Cowichan and Nez Perce Greg Henhawk Mohawk Jason Johnson Onondaga Nation, Wolf Clan Kellen Sampson Lumbee Malcolm Blacksmith Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Michael Daney Choctaw Terry Ware Kiowa

Trainers Marty Ward Onondaga Nation, Snipe Clan Harold Ladouceur Cree Gerald (Jerry) Gourneau Turtle Mountain Chippewa Chamisa Goodwin Ojibwe Dominic Tiger-Cortes Muscogee Creek Tim Moccasin Cree Thomas Gardipy Jr. Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation

Builders 7G Foundation Pauma Band of Luiseño Indian Darlene Ahmo Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation Ernie St. Germaine Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Matt Roberson Wichita/Keechi Sianneh Mulbah Ojibwe Alfred Jacques Onondaga Denise Tsadeyohdi Waterman Oneida John Alexander Hunter Muscogee Creek Rick Brant (Teho:ka) Mohawk Walter and Verna Fontaine Sagkeeng First Nation Bennae Calac Pauma Band of Luiseño Indian Dennis Parrish Stewarts Point Rancheria of Kashaya Pomo John Lyall Kwakwaka’wakw Ryan Salmon Ojibwe Wilton Littlechild Cree Claudia Jimerson Cayuga Nation, Bear Clan Dr. Rosalin Miles Lytton First Nation Kathy Smith Mohawk Sam McCracken Sioux and Assiniboine Curt Styres Mohawk, Wolf Clan Dustin Quinn Martin Navajo Krista Hodder Mi’kmaw from Membertou First Nation Scott Daniels Mistawasis Nêhiyawak

Media Cuyler Frank Navajo Mark D. Williams Choctaw Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine Sagkeeng Anishinaabe First Nation Dallas Soonias Nehiyaw/Anishinaabe Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert Hopi Eugene Oree Foster Navajo Perry William Kelly Metis LA Williams Diné Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi Diné (Navajo)

< Back Zach Whitecloud Zach Whitecloud Sioux Valley Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Zach Whitecloud, who spent much of his upbringing on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, joined a group of Stanley Cup winners of Indigenous descent including Hockey Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Grant Fuhr when three of his eight points in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs came in the Stanley Cup Final to help the Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5. Whitecloud became the second defenseman in 22 years and 11th in the NHL modern era (since 1943-44) to score the game-winning goal in the opening game of the Final. Whitecloud was traded to the Calgary Flames on Jan. 18, 2026. He was third on the Golden Knights in hits (73), blocks (63) and short-handed time on ice per game (1:44) at the time of the deal. After playing played three seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Whitecloud then moved on to Bemidji State University in Minnesota. In two NCAA seasons Whitecloud had 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) in 77 games. Whitecloud signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on March 8, 2018, and made his NHL debut a month later, playing 16:42 against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018. He played all of 2018-19 with Chicago of the American Hockey League, finishing with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 74 games and leading the AHL with a plus-39 rating. In the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, Whitecloud led all defensemen with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 22 games the most by an AHL rookie defenseman since Alex Goligoski had 28 points with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008. Whitecloud started 2019-20 in the AHL and had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 35 games. He was recalled by the Golden Knights on Feb. 1 and got his first NHL point Feb. 28 against the Buffalo Sabres, an assist on a third-period goal by Reilly Smith in a 4-2 victory. In 16 games Whitecloud averaged 14:19 of ice time and was plus-3. Source: Calgary Flames <Back