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- 2026 Banquet | NAIAHF
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: Also Open to the General Public 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
- 2026 Banquet Sponsorship | NAIAHF
North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) Banquet Sponsorship Information Saturday, May 30th, 2026 Oneida Casino Hotel; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA 2026 Sponsorship Information: The deadline to receive sponsorship payment and copy ready logos is noon central time on May 1, 2026. Payment can be sent to PayPal to code: coach.danninham@midco.net or postal mailed in a check or money order to Empowered Youth Development Initiatives, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, USA, 56671. Contact Dr. Dan Ninham at 218.368.6430 or coach.danninham@gmail.com to receive additional details about the 2026 NAIAHF Banquet sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship provides a Nike red bag, 2’x4’ banner and gift to attending inductees. Note: No one is allowed to use the NAIAHF logo to print on a product without written consent from Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham. Platnum Sponsor $7,500 Five reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 50 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Platinum sponsors at the banquet Gold Sponsor $5,000 Three reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 30 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Gold sponsors at the banquet Silver Sponsor $3,000 Two reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 20 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Silver sponsors at the Banquet Bronze Sponsor $1,000 One reserved VIP banquet table for 10 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Bronze sponsors at the Banquet Hall Of Fame Table Sponsor $400 per 10 seat table 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor Sponsor may designate who will be seated or allow Dr. Dan and Susan to seat people Announcement as a Table Sponsor at the Banquet Hall of Fame Banquet Drawing Prize Sponsor $500+ retail value of drawing prizes 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor Announcement as a Drawing Sponsor at the Banquet 2025 Sponsors
- NAIAHF Coaches
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
- NAIAHF Builders
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
- NAIAHF Media
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)
- NAIAHF Trainers
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
- Naomi Lang Strong, Karuk Tribe of Northern California
< Back Naomi Lang Strong Naomi Lang Strong Karuk Tribe of Northern California Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Naomi Lang was a competitive ice dancer, and represented the United States in numerous competitions around the world. She has five U.S. national titles, and has competed at five world championships, in which she placed in the top 10 each time. She is a member of the 2002 Olympic team, and became the first Native American woman to compete at the Winter Olympics. Naomi continued to skate professionally and appeared in several U.S. ice shows, including many of the Disson skating shows televised on NBC and the Hallmark Channel. She also toured extensively in Europe and Russia performing in Art on Ice, Kings on Ice with Evgeni Plushenko and composer and violinist Edvin Marton, and the Katarina Witt Farewell Tour. They performed at Jim Carrey's private Christmas party in Hollywood. She is a member of the Karuk tribe of northern California, and has Wiyot and Shasta decency. She was born in Arcata, California. Additionally, Naomi was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Naomi has been instructing figure skating for 18 years, and her goal in teaching figure skating is to inspire people, not only from her own experiences, but share everything she has discovered and learned along the way. Whether it be from her own amazing coaches or things she learned touring the world for figure skating, she wants to help make dreams come true, and strive to find the right path for everyone, and with the right balance of fun and hard work She believe dreams can come true. <Back
- Jon Michael McGrath II, Cherokee
< Back Jon Michael McGrath II Jon Michael McGrath II Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2026 Jon Michael McGrath II is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. While Jon Michael was attending his first Boy Scout summer camp with Troop 1 from Tulsa, he found that he had an aptitude for clay target shooting and soon was invited to move to the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jon Michael pursued his interest and enjoyed a very successful career in American Skeet and Olympic Skeet. At age 16, McGrath is the youngest to win the USA National Championship Gold Medal in Men’s Olympic Skeet. McGrath holds 28 World Titles in both American Skeet and Olympic Skeet including three World Records and one World Cup Individual Gold Medal. Jon Michael McGrath earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2009. McGrath was educated at Bishop Kelley High School and The University of Oklahoma. In 2015, Jon Michael worked for United States Representative Markwayne Mullin (OK-2) in his Washington, DC office. A sixth – generation railroader, Jon Michael McGrath started working for the family firm during his free time during high school. Jon Michael spent two years working on the Oklahoma City Streetcar Project as a field engineer for Herzog – Stacy Witbeck, before rejoining the McGRATH family firm. He is currently a Vice President for McGRATH Rail in Tulsa. Jon Michael is a member of the Board of Directors of the Committee of 100 in support of law enforcement in the Tulsa area. In May 2022, he was nominated and confirmed as a Commissioner of the Environmental Protection Commission for the Cherokee Nation. He is an avid Hunter, Fisherman, Golfer and Public Speaker. At age 12, Jon Michael McGrath II became the Youngest All America Athlete in any sport. At age 14, Jon Michael became the Youngest National Champion in Olympic Skeet in the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) defeating all of the collegiate athletes. At age 16, Jon Michael earned three World Records in Olympic Skeet at the Olympic Skeet World Championship (NSSA). At age 16, Jon Michael became the youngest athlete to win Men’s Open USA National Championship in Olympic Skeet at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. At age 16, Jon Michael became the First American to win the World Championship in Men’s Junior Olympic Skeet in Munich, Germany. Today, Jon Michael is one of the coaches for the USA Shooting Shotgun Team out of the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. <Back
- Brent Reiter, Menominee
< Back Brent Reiter Brent Reiter Menominee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Brent Reiter attended Shawano High School in Shawano, Wisconsin from 1996-2000 and excelled in both Cross Country and Track & Field. Reiter was state champion in the 1600m run at the 2000 WIAA State Track & Field Championships and state runner-up at the 1999 WIAA State Cross Country Championships. He was a seven-time state qualifier, six-time sectional champion, ten-time Bay Conference Champion, a seven-time varsity letter winner, school record holder in the 1600m run, and led the Hawks to two straight Bay Conference Cross Country team titles in 1997 and 1998. Reiter was named Shawano High School male athlete of the year in 1999-2000. After graduating from Shawano High School in 2000, Reiter attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2000-2002. He participated in Cross Country, Track & Field, and the Marathon. Reiter was a two-time National Champion, four-time National runner-up, nine-time All-American, an academic All-American, and led SIPI to two straight National Cross Country team titles in 2000 and 2001. Reiter also attended Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky in 2002-2003. He earned First Team All-Conference honors for Cross Country in 2002. Reiter was inducted into the Shawano Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. <Back
- Rebecca Wolfe Damas, Eastern Band of Cherokee
< Back Rebecca Wolfe Damas Rebecca Wolfe Damas Eastern Band of Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Rebecca Wolfe Damas is enrolled in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She began swimming at age six with her local summer league team, then quickly found success in year-round swimming with her club team. In age-group swimming she was Texas state champion six times. Rebecca was selected three times to attend the annual United States Swimming Olympic Development Camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The highlight of her age-group career was winning the national championship in the 200-meter butterfly at age 13 in Santa Clara, CA, and setting a Texas state record in the event. Rebecca swam for Clear Creek High School in League City, TX, setting four individual and two relay records. She was a high school All-American, in addition to achieving Scholastic All- American status. She was an All-State swimmer in the 100-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley. She graduated in 2000 as a Magna Cum Laude graduate, senior class officer, member of the National Honor Society, and a Peer Assistance Leadership Student. Rebecca’s high school achievements were further recognized in 2023 with her induction into the Clear Creek Independent School District Athletic Hall of Honor. Rebecca continued her swimming career, first at the University of Nebraska, then at the University of Missouri. In 2001 at Nebraska, she won the Big 12 Conference title in the 200-yard butterfly, setting a conference championship meet record that stood for 18 years. At Missouri, she won a second Big 12 title in the 200-yard butterfly in 2003. At both Nebraska and Missouri, Rebecca was a NCAA championship meet qualifier and a Scholastic All-American. As a finalist at the NCAA championship meet in 2001, she was named to the NCAA Division I All-American swim team. Further recognition of her college career came in 2006 when she was one of only twelve women who were named to the Big 12 Conference Swimming and Diving 10th Anniversary Team. The highlight of Rebecca’s career was qualifying and swimming at Olympic trials in 2000 and 2004. Rebecca graduated Cum Laude from Missouri in 2004 with dual Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Communications. Photos: Colin Damas and Mizzou Athletic Department <Back
- Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt, Kiowa
< Back Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Kiowa Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Administrator 2026 Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt left an indelible imprint on Oklahoma City University athletics as a basketball player and later athletic director. Sahmaunt earned most valuable player in the All-College Tournament in 1958 while playing basketball for OCU. After transferring from Cameron (Okla.), Sahmaunt became a member of the OCU basketball team from 1958-60. OCU won the 1958 All-College Tournament and participated in the 1959 National Invitational Tournament. In July 1987, Sahmaunt was named athletic director for OCU and served the university for 13 years as such. Before being named athletic director, Sahmaunt served as professor of education and associate dean of education. During Sahmaunt’s tenure as athletic director, OCU captured 15 NAIA national championships. OCU won national titles in women’s basketball in 1988, 1999 and 2000, men’s basketball in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996, men’s tennis in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and softball in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Sahmaunt hired OCU baseball coach Denney Crabaugh, men’s golf coach Kyle Blaser and softball coach Phil McSpadden. Each led OCU to NAIA championships in their sport. Jim Abbott, who later became OCU athletic director, worked under Sahmaunt from 1991-94 as director of athletic development and promotions. Sahmaunt is a member of OCU’s 1960 graduating class as well as a member of the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame. Sahmaunt was inducted into the hall of fame in November 1981 while working for the university as the dean of an OCU program that linked higher education institutions with the local Native American communities. He is also a member of the Kiowa Nation Hall of Fame, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and was a member of The Oklahoman’s 1950’s all-star basketball team. <Back
- Scott Daniels, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak
Scott Daniels Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back Scott Daniels is a former professional hockey player and a proud member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, where he grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada with his parents Noel and Thelma and five siblings. Before becoming a Major Junior A hockey player, where he played in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers, the New Westminster Bruins and the Regina Pats, Daniels attended Athol Murray College of Notre Dame where he played ice hockey. After Junior Hockey, Daniels was drafted by the Hartford Whalers of the NHL. He played for the Springfield Indians/Falcons, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils. Daniels won a Calder Cup Trophy during his time with the 1991 Springfield Indians and was a part of the 1995 Stanley Cup finalists with the Philadelphia Flyers. After retiring from hockey due to a career ending injury, Daniels went on to coaching a local youth team where he taught his daughter Sydney to play the game. He also coached Junior hockey and was a Scout for the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Currently, Daniels runs the Daniels Hockey School, where he works alongside his daughter, Sydney, to pass along his love for the game to indigenous youth and to teach valuable life lessons that can be learned within the sport. Daniels spends a lot of his time traveling across the United States and Canada giving talks to Indigenous youth on dealing with adversity, goal setting, and the opportunities that can be given to you through hard work. Currently, Daniels lives in Massachusetts, USA with his wife Lynn. They have three daughters, Cassie, Sydney and Cree, son-in-law Jose and two grandchildren Adrian and Mateo.





