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< Back Thomas Rahontsiiostha Barreiro Thomas Rahontsiiostha Barreiro Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Thomas and Phillip Barreiro are multi-time Canadian Greco-Roman Wrestling National champions. They strive to be good role models for young people on the Akwesasne Reservation. As experienced coaches, they have logged many years and countless hours working with the younger generation in their community. They are both passionate about sport and have a lot of love for the culture that raised them to be who they are today. They emphasize the importance for young people to develop mindful values and personal discipline. This is critical in order to help Akwesasne youth achieve a healthy lifestyle, not just for themselves but for the community as well.   Thomas Barreiro is a dedicated father of two who is passionate about making a positive impact in his community. Thomas began wrestling in eighth grade at the age of 14. While in high school, Barreiro was a New York State place winner and North American Indigenous Games Champion. Barreiro attended NCAA Division 1 American University from 2010-2013. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from American University in 2013 and spent nine years working with youth at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club. During that time, Barreiro became a six-time Canadian National Champion in Greco-Roman Wrestling representing Canada at both the World Championships and Pan-American Games. He also began coaching young wrestlers in his home community. He has recently started, alongside his brother Phillip, a non-profit youth development program titled GOOD MIND GRAPPLING. The program uses the sport of wrestling, and related grappling disciplines, to promote physical literacy and combat intergeneration trauma in indigenous youth. <Back

< Back Jerry Louie-McGee Jerry Louie-McGee Coeur d’Alene Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Jerry Louie-McGee’s high school career started in the city of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho at Lake City High School. He was named to the 2014 American Family Insurance All-USA Idaho Football Team after his senior season, was a 5-A All Idaho Selection, rushed for 757 yards and seven touchdowns and caught passes for 1104 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He was named Inland Empire League MVP as a senior, and won a 2014 Idaho Class 5A State Track Championship as a junior in the 400 meters. Louie-McGee was an All Conference receiver and special team’s returner three years, Team Offensive Player of the Year his junior year and MVP senior year. Louie-McGee committed to the University of Montana Grizzlies in his senior year and redshirted in 2015. During the 2016 season, he was named a finalist for the Stats FCS Jerry Rice Award for the nation’s top freshman athlete. He was also named All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver and punt returner. Louie-McGee broke the school and Big Sky record for receptions in a game (21), broke the school record for average receptions in a game with 9.1 and averaged 19.2 yards per punt return, had 981 all-purpose yards and a 122.6 total yards per game. His sophomore year he was named All Big Sky Honorable Mention as a wide receiver and return specialist, led the team with 50 receptions with 1000 all-purpose yards. During his junior season he was named All Big Sky punt returner, and All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver. During his senior season he was named Root Sports Big Sky Special Team Player of the Week twice, Stats FCS National Special Teams Honorable Mention, and HERO Sports FCS All American punt returner and First Team Big Sky Conference punt returner. Louie-McGee has the school record for most receptions in a career with 237. After receiving his degree in psychology, Louie-McGee has been the Behavioral Health Case Manager for his tribe in Idaho and assists people through difficult times with their mental health and healing from intergenerational and current trauma. Louie-McGee’s dad Wade was also inducted into the NAIAHF class of 2024. <Back

< Back Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Cree First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jonathan Cheechoo is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation located at the southern end of James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. Jonathan first played hockey at the age of four years old but only began playing organized hockey at 14 years old when he played AAA Bantam in Timmins, Ontario. From there Jonathan continued to excel through Midget AAA in Kapuskasing, Ontario to Jr. B with the Kitchener Dutchmen. He caught the eye of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and was drafted 5th overall in 1997 by the Belleville Bulls. Jonathan played with the Bulls for three years and increased his scoring totals each year with 76 points, 82 points, and 92 points respectively. In 1999, Jonathan led the Bulls to the OHL title and scored 5 goals in the deciding game 7 to help his team clinch the championship. Jonathan’s success in the OHL caught the attention of National Hockey League (NHL) teams. In 1998, Jonathan was drafted 29th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Prior to breaking into the NHL, he played in the American Hockey League (AHL). While in the AHL, Jonathan continued to show his natural talent around the net leading to being called up to the NHL’s Sharks in the 2002-03 season, where he remained for seven seasons. In 2005-06, Jonathan scored 56 goals and won the Maurice Richard trophy, which is awarded to the player with the most goals in a season. Jonathan joined the Ottawa Senators for one season in 2009-10 and finished his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he played for four seasons. Jonathan achieved the unique feat of being selected to participate in the All-Star Game of every league in which he has played, including the AHL, NHL and KHL. Jonathan announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2018. Proud of his roots and Cree heritage, he has maintained strong ties to his home community. Jonathan credits much of his success to the support of his community and supportive, loving family. Jonathan enjoys leading hockey camps in his hometown and speaks to Indigenous youth about the importance of pursuing their dreams. photo credit: San Jose Sharks <Back

< Back Teton Saltes Teton Saltes Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Teton Saltes is a remarkable individual whose list of accomplishments is nothing short of extraordinary, all achieved by the age of 25. He stands as a symbol of unwavering dedication and the potential for change and impact at a remarkably young age. During his college football career, Saltes earned two Mountain West All-Conference honorable mentions and was twice honored as a Mountain West All-Academic. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only college football major award winner in University of New Mexico history as the recipient of the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy. His four-year stint as a starting offensive lineman for the University of New Mexico football team showcases his exceptional athletic abilities and cemented his legacy as one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at UNM. In 2021, Saltes joined the NFL and was a member of the New York Jets. He played in the USFL in 2022 for the Michigan Panthers and secured a championship in the XFL in 2023 with the Arlington Renegades. Beyond his sporting achievements, Saltes's advocacy efforts are equally noteworthy. He addressed the United States Congress and testified before the New Mexico state legislature, passionately advocating for mental health support for student-athletes. His role as a board member in the BEAR Project in Pine Ridge, SD, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to community betterment. Saltes's academic accomplishments are as impressive as his athletic and advocacy feats. He graduated with a degree in political science and entered into a master of law graduate program, with intentions to eventually receive his Juris Doctorate. Saltes' legacy is a testament to the incredible impact an individual can have with determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their goals. <Back

< Back Bo Tyler Vocu Bo Tyler Vocu Northern Cheyenne/Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Bo Tyler Vocu is a member of the Northern Cheyenne and a descendant of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, with deep roots in rodeo culture. Growing up on his family’s ranch on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, Bo was immersed in the world of rodeo from an early age. His grandfather, Clinton Small, was one of the most decorated rodeo cowboys of all time, and both his father, Michael, and his grandfather, Dale, were accomplished bull riders. This rich legacy set Bo on a path to becoming a rodeo champion in his own right. From a young age, Bo exhibited a fierce competitive spirit, competing in every event he could at youth rodeos. His passion for rodeo and his determination to succeed propelled him to excel in rough stock events, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding—some of the toughest and most dangerous sports in the world. Notably, Bo may be the only rodeo athlete in the nation to have qualified for the Junior High, High School, and College National Finals Rodeos in all three rough stock events. Bo attended New Mexico State University on a rodeo scholarship, where he earned multiple regional titles and contributed to the university’s team championships. His rodeo achievements continued to grow as he qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) every year since 2010, when junior events were first introduced when he was nine years old. He qualified in the junior breakaway and junior bull riding, and captured the INFR Tour Championship in the junior bull riding. At the age of 15 he qualified in the open bull riding for the first time. Bo has qualified for the INFR in all three rough stock events throughout his career. In 2023, he earned the title of World Champion All Around Runner-Up and continues to win titles at many of the top rodeos across the country. Bo’s success extends beyond the INFR; he is also a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) member. In 2024, he finished in the top 50 in the world standings for bull riding and won several professional rodeo titles, including the Xtreme Bulls event in Buffalo, Wyoming. At the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals, Bo qualified in saddle bronc and bull riding, ultimately earning the All Around Championship. His sights are now set on qualifying for the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, with much more to come in his rodeo career. With a legacy rooted in tradition and a future filled with promise, Bo Tyler Vocu’s rodeo story is far from over. His dedication, skill, and competitive drive continue to inspire fans and fellow rodeo athletes alike. <Back

Gary Sargent Category Athlete Tribe Red Lake Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/18/1954 Gary played and excelled in sports at the high school, college and professional levels. At Bemidji High School in Bemidji, MN, Gary was an NCAA DI prospect in football, baseball, and hockey. He turned down an offer from the Minnesota Twins baseball team after high school graduation to pursue a career in hockey. Gary played hockey at Bemidji State College for one year. During this time Gary was named to the World Cup team and played collegiate hockey in Graz, Austria. This team won a silver medal. He was named a college All American while playing at Bemidji State College. Gary played junior hockey with the Fargo Moorhead Sugar Kings for one year before turning professional. He played in the American Hockey League before joining the Los Angeles Kings for three seasons. In 1977 Gary signed with the Minnesota North Stars and played there until his retirement from professional hockey in 1983. During his tenure with the North Stars he was selected to the NHL All Star Team twice, and played in 402 games in the NHL. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Marvin Camel Marvin Camel Salish Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Marvin Camel had his first fight at twelve years old in Polson, Montana. His father, Henry Camel, a boxer, was his trainer. Although he lost his first fight, it was the beginning of his boxing career. Camel is the first Native American champion across all weight classes and made history as the first world cruiserweight champion in two organizations. He won the World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight championship in 1980 and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) cruiserweight title in 1983. Camel is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. He encourages others to persevere in boxing and in life. Now in his 70s, Camel stays active, running every day and continuing to work. <Back

< Back Alexis Desjarlait Alexis Desjarlait Red Lake Band of Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Alexis Desjarlait has been involved with athletics since she could remember. She was on the Bemidji Bombers traveling team from 3rd grade until 5th grade then attending her first year of AAU basketball. In between that time frame, she was on the Bemidji Blaze fastpitch team as well. Desjarlait played volleyball, basketball and softball for six years at a varsity level and carried that three-sport athletics at Hibbing Community College (HCC). The 2018 high school graduate scored 2,190 points for Red Lake to rank second in program history and also had a total of 995 rebounds. The Warriors had a 129-25 record during her career and headlined the programs first-ever run to the state tournament in 2017. The success carried over with her 44-13 record at HCC. In two seasons as a Cardinal, Desjarlait scored a school-record 1,057 points and grabbed 512 rebounds. She was the All-Region XIII MVP and an NJCAA Division III All-American honorable mention selection in 2019-20. Desjarlait also earned spots on the Minnesota College Athletic Conference’s All-Northern Division First Team and All-State First Team in both her freshman and sophomore campaigns, and she cracked the MCAC All-Defensive Team during the 2020 season. In 2018-19, she led the Cardinals to their first-ever national tournament appearance. Desjarlait was also awarded Region XIII MVP 2020. She is now a junior at NCAA Division III Concordia University Chicago. <Back

< Back Kayla Gardner Kayla Gardner Eagle Lake First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Kayla Gardner was a two-time girls’ hockey state champion with the Warroad Warriors, earning back to back titles in 2010 and 2011. Gardner was a contributing member of five section 8A championships. Off the ice, Gardner was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating from Warroad High School, Gardner attended the University of North Dakota from 2013-2017, where she received a full hockey scholarship. During her time at UND, Gardner was a three-time WCHA Scholar Athlete. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2017, Gardner went on to play professional hockey with the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL. After a successful year with the Calgary Inferno, Gardner continued her professional hockey career in Sweden, playing with the Brynäs IF in the SDHL. <Back

< Back Danny Hodgson Danny Hodgson Cree Metis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Danny Hodgson was born in Fort Vermilion, AB. and grew up playing minor hockey in Fort McMurray, AB. In 1980-81, at the age of 15, Hodgson began playing junior hockey with the Cowichan Flyers of the BCJHL. After two seasons, he joined the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was named the WHL Rookie of the Year in 1982-83. The next season, Hodgson finished second in league scoring with 181 points and followed it up with 182 points in 1984-85-while breaking Bobby Clarke’s WHL all-time record for assists. In 1984-85, Hodgson won the Ed Chynoweth Cup with Prince Albert as league champions and then the 1985 Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Champions. He was named the 1984-85 CHL Player of the Year and 1985 Memorial Cup MVP as he set a Memorial Cup record with 13 assists. Hodgson represented Canada two times at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, placing fourth in 1984 and winning gold in 1985 as Team Captain. He continued to win major awards in 1985, as he was named the Canadian Amateur Sportsman of the Year. In 2016, he was named the 27th greatest player of all-time in WHL history. Hodgson was drafted 83rd overall in the fifth round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs and spent four seasons in the NHL from 1985 to 1989 playing a total of 114 games for Toronto and Vancouver Canucks. He scored 29 goals and added 45 assists for 74 points over his NHL career and had a career-high of 5 points (1g, 4a) in one game during the 1987-88 season versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hodgson played professionally in Europe for 17 more seasons as he played in Austria, Eishockey-Bundesliga (Germany), and the Swiss-A League. While in the Swiss-A league, he won back-to-back titles with the ZSC Lions in 2000 and 2001. As a professional in Europe, Hodgson represented Canada twice at the Spengler Cup, winning the championship 2001, and would play in six more with his club teams Hedos Muchen (1), and HC Davos (5). <Back

< Back Clay Mayes III Clay Mayes III Chickasaw & Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 Clay Mayes was the head cross country and track coach at Bacone College (BC), University of Antelope Valley (UAV), and coached a group of cross country and track student-athletes in Oklahoma. Between 2011 and 2019, Mayes guided his student-athletes to five NAIA National Titles including 2017 5000m and 10,000m titles at the NAIA Outdoor Track Nationals, 2016 and 2017 Mile titles at the NAIA Indoor Track Nationals, and the 2016 Cross Country title at the NAIA Cross Country Nationals. While at BC and the UAV, Mayes recruited nearly 30 cross country and track student-athletes the first year for each program while representing 20+ tribes. His athletes at BC and UAV went on to obtain three Top 20 Team National Finishes and one Top 10 Team National finish at the NAIA Cross Country Nationals, while obtaining BC’s first and only Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) title with a win at the 2016 SAC Cross Country Team Championship and a win over two-time defending national team champion Oklahoma City University. Mayes’s athletes acquired 21 All-American honors for both cross country and track. Mayes was named SAC Coach of the year, and Midwest Coach of the year while coaching at Bacone College. As a high school coach, Mayes had 27 State Champions for cross country and track. Most notable honors include Arya Bahrein’s 5k Cross Country State Meet Course Record, Ben Barrett setting Oklahoma’s Mile State Record, being a two time-Footlocker National finalist, having a 14.51 5k and setting Oklahoma’s 3200m state record in 8.57. Following Ben’s records one year later, Zach Black (Cherokee) eclipsed Ben’s Mile State record with a 4.09. A Claremore, Oklahoma native, Mayes graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2011 with a degree in Psychology. Mayes was a high school All-American honored runner with a sixth place finish at the Nike Outdoor Track Nationals 5000m in 15.11. As a college cross country and track athlete, Mayes competed for Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma, and was a scorer on the 2009’s 12th-place finishing team at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships, had a 14.16 5000m personal best, and was named Big 12 All-Conference for the 10,000m. <Back

< Back Jack Mark Edmo Jack Mark Edmo Shoshone-Bannock/Blackfeet Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Jack Mark Edmo, 83, an all-around Indian cowboy who was a visionary and gifted horseman, passed away July 17, 2023 in Billings, Montana. He was born July 8, 1940 to Helen Monroe Sherman and William Bill Edmo. His beloved stepfather Alex Sherman also helped raise him. Edmo had an incredible life as an Indian cowboy and lived his dream. He won over 170 belt buckles. His mother Helen made him a pair of elk hide gloves and he used them riding broncs creating the idea of wearing gloves while bronc riding. He was a traditional cowboy, lived on a ranch, was a gifted horseman and he took pride in that. He rode saddle bronc, bareback, bulls and was a calf roper and team roper. He was a founder of the Rocky Mountain Indian Rodeo Association and helped organize the Indian National Finals Rodeo. He believed in his tribal traditions and was proud of his culture. He loved his family and his photo collection showed it. He shared his knowledge with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid elk hunter and fisherman. Edmo loved the mountains and told his children that’s where he will be, when they look for him. Edmo attended schools in Browning, Montana and graduated with a degree in agriculture from Northern Montana College. He was a tribal government specialist as he worked in planning and transportation. He and a co-worker submitted EDA grants to build the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Human Resource Development Center and Tribal Business Center in the 70s. In addition, the Fort Hall Indoor Arena and rodeo grounds including the grandstand. He worked as a planner for the Blackfeet Tribe for 15 years until he retired at age 70. His children included: Shelly (Ivan) McDonald, Jack (Casey) Edmo, Gaynell (Tim) Realbird, Dave (Mindy) Edmo, Mark Edmo, Hank McArthur Edmo and Andreen Edmo, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Melvin “Buzzer” Edmo and William Rusty Edmo, along with a grandson Ladel Kelly Omeaso. He’s buried at Willow Creek Cemetery in Browning, Montana. <Back