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< Back Analyss Benally Analyss Benally Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Analyss Benally was born and raised on the Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. She is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Her parents are Brian and Vikki Benally. She has one sibling, Patience Benally. Benally attended Wichita Heights High School in Wichita, Kansas. During her time at Wichita Heights HS, she was a four-year varsity player and scored over 1,000 points in her high school career. Analyss was named three-time Wichita Eagle All-City League, three-time Wichita Eagle All-Class 5A, Sports in Kansas Class 5A Honoree and 2016 Navajo Times All-Star. When it came time to choose a college Analyss chose NCAA Division I San Jose State University (SJSU). At SJSU she became one of the top three point shooters in the Mountain West Conference. She set the SJSU sophomore three point field goals made in a season record. She scored a career high 31 points against San Diego State University. Despite missing numerous games due to injuries in her freshman and senior years, she finished in the top ten in school history with three point field goals made, three point field goal percentage, and three point field goal attempts. Analyss graduated from San Jose State University in 2021. Analyss played professionally in Europe since 2021. Her rookie year team was in Romania with CSM Alexandria. She moved the following year to play in Albania with Flamurtari winning the Albanian-Kosovo Liga United Cup, Albanian Super Cup, Albanian Cup, and was Albanian League Champions. She was named Eurobasket.com All-Albanian League and Eurobasket.com All-Liga Unike for the season. Her next team was Bashkimi in Kosovo. She went on to win the Kosovo Cup, Albanian-Kosovo Liga United Cup. Her team were Kosovo League Regular Season Champions, Kosovo League Champions, Liga Unike Regular Season Champions. During the off season, Analyss resides in New Mexico where she hosts free basketball camps and participates in speaking engagements to tell her story in hopes of inspiring, encouraging and uplifting native youth to never stop working toward their dreams. Additionally, Analyss made her acting debut in the 2024 Netflix movie Rez Ball directed by Sydney Freeland and produced by LeBron James. <Back

< Back Levi Parker Webster Levi Parker Webster Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Enrolled Oneida Nation member of Wisconsin, Levi Parker Webster, better known as Chief Tallfeather, was a prolific runner and football player in the early to mid-twentieth century. Tallfeather was born in 1884 in Oneida, WI. He worked on his family’s farm in rural West De Pere, WI until he was taken to Carlisle Indian Boarding School in Pennsylvania, where he learned English and became a track star. It was also in Pennsylvania where he played professional football with the Frankfort Athletic Club, Pittsburg Lyceums, and the Akron Tigers. Through it all, though, distance running was Tallfeather’s true passion. After playing football, Tallfeather joined the army and served in World War I. Even during his service, he ran races in Occupied France. After the war, he continued his running exploits by competing against any challenger who thought they could beat him. He also accepted commissioned offers to run in publicity events, including one that would instantly establish his legendary status. At age 42, just before his marriage to Servilla Amanda (Dell) Skenandore in 1927, he was contracted by the Chicago Tribune to honor their anniversary by running 94.3 miles, non-stop, from Milwaukee to Chicago, which he did so in 19 hours, 32 minutes. In a Green Bay Press Gazette article by locally famous journalist and Green Bay Packers Public Relations Executive, Lee Remmel, Tallfeather said, “I’m quite sure I could have done better if I could have stopped to change my shoes a couple of times.” Tallfeather did sustain foot and leg injuries during the event, and even collapsed at the end, but he eventually recovered to continue his career. In 1934, on his 50th birthday, he ran 54 miles from Green Bay’s city hall to the city hall of Oskosh, WI, to initiate a tercentennial celebration. Two other noteworthy events happened earlier in his career in 1911 where he ran the fastest mile (4:13) in Dover, England and in 1929, he ran 9 miles from Green Bay to Mill Center, WI in 53 minutes. Tallfeather was buried next to his wife, Servilla, on May 3, 1962 at Oneida Holy Apostles Cemetary in Oneida, WI. <Back

Empowered Youth Development Initiatives Presents.... Saturday, June 7, 2025 Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame will recognize the 2025 inductee class as well as other annual inductees in an exclusive ceremony and lunch on Saturday, June 7, 2025. There were 54 inductees and 300 guests at the first banquet on September 9, 2023 at the Canterbury Park Expo Center, Shakopee, MN, USA. Last September 16, 2024 there were 55 inductees and 450 guests at the Oneida Hotel and Conference Center, Green Bay, WI, USA. 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. Please join us in our efforts to honor and recognize the elite indigenous athletics leaders in North America by becoming a hall of fame, table or drawing sponsor for the 2025 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet. All proceeds will offset the event expenses including providing gifts to the inductees. 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 2025 NAIAHF Banquet Weekend Schedule Friday 6/6/2025 3:30 pm Indigenous Honor Stickball Game Oneida Nation High School Front Field Saturday 6/7/2025 7:00am Sunrise Tobacco Burning Ceremony Dr. Arltey Skenandore Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, WI Saturday 6/7/2025 9:00am Doors Open to 2024 NAIAHF Banquet Three Clans Complex, Oneida Hotel and Conference Center Saturday 6/7/2025 9:30am-11:50am NAIAHF Banquet: Opening Reception with Beverage Stations Welcome: Dr. Dan Ninham Sponsor Acknowledgment: Dr. Dan Ninham Honor Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Individual and Team Inductee Recognition: Susan and Dr. Dan Ninham Meet and Greet Inductees Reception Three Clans Complex, Oneida Hotel and Conference Center Saturday 6/7/2025 Noon-1:00pm Buffet Lunch Meal Blessing: Susan Ninham Music Performance: Keith Secola, Anishinaabe, Singer/Songwriter, Website: https://secola.com/ Music Performance Sponsor: TBA Saturday 6/7/2025 1:00pm-2:40pm General Public Meet and Greet Inductees Reception Sponsor Speeches Oneida Social Dance Demonstration Sponsor: Oneida Nation Tourism Department Drawing Prizes Emcees: Susan and Dr. Dan Ninham Saturday 6/7/2025 2:45pm-3:00pm Closing Ceremonies Co-Emcees: Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham Inductees Group Photo Traditional Blessing: Dr. Artley Skenandore Traveling Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Inductee Banners Distribution NAIAHF Banquet Information: $40 USD/per person with a deadline of noon central time on June 1, 2025; send name, cell number and email address, and number of tickets with check or money order payable to Empowered Youth Development Initiatives and mail to Dan Ninham, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, 56671, USA or PayPal payment to code: coach.danninham@midco.net Austin Straubel International Airport: The Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, WI is across the road from the host Oneida Hotel and Conference Center, Green Bay: https://www.flygrb.com/ Host Oneida Nation Schools: https://oneida-nsn.gov/education/oneida-nation-school-system/ Host Hotel Information: Oneida Hotel and Conference Center, https://www.oneidahotel.com/ Ask for the group rate for “North American Indigenous Athletics”. The room rate is $109USD plus 15.5% tax. Rooms can be tax exempt with Tribal ID shown at check in. Call this phone number to make a reservation: 920-494-7300 extension 1. Sponsorship Opportunities: Click on this link - https://www.naiahf.org/copy-of-banquet-sponsorship Information: Susan Ninham, cell: 218.766.3507 or Dr. Dan Ninham, cell: 218.368.6430 or coach.danninham@gmail.com

Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis Category Athlete Tribe Seaconke Wampanoag Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 8/24/1986 Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis hails from East Providence RI, is a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe and is the first Indigenous Woman fighter to become a World Champion. As a Professional Boxer, Reis has attained six World Titles in two weight classes and is currently the WBA, IBO and WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and is on the “Road to Undisputed”. Kali made history when she participated in HBOs’ first ever Women’s televised in 2018. She uses her boxing platform to spread awareness on various issues such as the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women). Living up to her given name Mequinonoag, translated to Many Feathers/Many Talents, Kali is a certified Motorcycle/Small Engines Technician and has worked as a Residential Counselor since 2009. She has found healing in sharing her story and mentoring troubled youth with a relatable approach, as well as traveling to speak with and support various communities in hopes of being a positive example to “Never throw in the towel no matter what punches life throws at you”. In 2021, Kali made her acting debut with the lead role in the film ‘Catch the Fair One; in which she also received a writer’s credit. This film highlights the MMIW epidemic & earned a Special Jury Mention award at the Tribeca film festival. Recently, an Indie Film Spirit Award nominee for Best Female Lead Actress was announced for Reis’ performance. This mixed Cape Verdean/Native American has a “Voice for the Voiceless.” Home 2025 Banquet 2025 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Team 2025 Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Team made history in 2024, earning their place as trailblazers in international lacrosse. Competing at the 2024 World Lacrosse Championship in Utica, New York, the team clinched a historic bronze medal—the first-ever international championship medal awarded to the Haudenosaunee women in lacrosse. The Haudenosaunee women showcased extraordinary skill, resilience, and unity throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding 21-4 victory over Team Australia in the bronze medal game. This landmark achievement not only brought pride to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island but also underscored the Haudenosaunee’s cultural and spiritual connection to lacrosse, known as the Creator’s Game. Comprised of athletes from Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous Nations, the team reflected the strength of community, tradition, and perseverance. Team members included: Akwesasne Mohawk Territory Jillian Benedict, Jadie Burns, Trysten Burns, Kharlene "Bineh" Garrow, Tallis Tarbell and Kyra Thompson Fort Albany First Nation Mekwan Tulpin Kanesatake First Nation Ava Gabriel Oneida Nation of the Thames Jada Doxtator Seneca Nation Lindsay John Six Nations of the Grand River Timmia Bomberry, Chelsea Doolittle, Chelsea Gibson, Amalee Jacobs, Kenley Jacobs, Chelsie John, Trisha John, Fawn Porter, Stacy Smith, Alisha Smith-Longboat, Joni Squire-Hill and Carey-Leigh Vyse Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Kendall Tabobandung Walpole Island First Nation Ferrah Blackbird Wikwemikong Unceded Territory Mackenzie Shigwadja and Reese Shigwadja Team Staff Head Coach, Jason Johnson, Onondaga Assistant Coach, Randy Chrysler, Tuscarora Assistant Coach, Cheyenne Lazore, Akwesasne Mohawk Assistant Coach, Mary James, Métis Assistant Coach / Video Analyst, Matt Attwood, Six Nations of the Grand River Trainer / Dietician, Paul Staats, Six Nations of the Grand River Player Liaison, Karissa John, Six Nations of the Grand River General Manager, Jeff Powless, Akwesasne Mohawk Their triumph exemplifies the power of Indigenous women in sports and serves as an enduring testament to the Haudenosaunee’s deep-rooted lacrosse legacy. By earning a place on the international podium, these women broke barriers, inspired future generations, and strengthened the path toward greater recognition of Indigenous athletes on the world stage. The 2024 bronze medal not only marked a pivotal moment in lacrosse history but also symbolized the enduring sovereignty and resilience of the Haudenosaunee people.

Craig Berube Category Coach Tribe Cree Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 12/17/1965 Craig Berube is the head coach of the National Hockey Leagues (NHL) St. Louis Blues. Since taking over the team during the 2018-19 season, the team was in last place and then led the team to a 38-19-6 record. One of the biggest turnarounds in NHL history occurred and the St. Louis Blues finished as the first in franchise history the winners of the Stanley Cup. He originally joined the Blues as an associate head coach in 2017. Before joining the Blues, he served as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves. He played 17 seasons in the NHL in over 1000 games between 1986-2004 for the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders. Home 2025 Banquet 2025 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Dean Hill Dean Hill Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Dean Hill excelled at hockey and lacrosse growing up in the Six Nations of the Grand River community. Hill enjoyed a very successful Jr. B lacrosse career with the Six Nations Rebels and the St. Catharines Spartans, which led him to being drafted by the Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. Hill would play 10 seasons in the NLL recording 247 points in the regular season and adding 12 more in the playoffs. Hill was known as a power play specialist who many considered to have the best one-timer in the game. In his second NLL season he led the Minnesota Swarm with 32 goals with 12 of them coming on the power play. Hill won a Canadian University Lacrosse Championship with Brock University and a Canadian Sr. B Championship with the St. Regis Braves. He also helped the Iroquois Nationals win two Silver Medals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships in 2007 and 2011. In the 2007 gold medal game with Canada leading the Iroquois 14-13, Dean Hill scored with 5 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game. Canada would go on to win the game 15-14 in sudden death overtime. That game is still considered one of the most thrilling indoor lacrosse games ever played. Hill was known for being a great teammate and for his high lacrosse IQ. Upon his retirement from playing he made a seamless transition from player to coach and embarked on a very successful coaching career. He won two Canadian Championship Minto Cups with the Six Nations Jr. A Arrows in 2015 and 2017 and led the Six Nations Rebels to a silver medal finish in the Founders Cup Jr. B Canadian Championships in 2019. Sadly, Dean Hill passed away due to complications in his sleep September 6, 2021 at the age of 36. <Back

< Back Asa Shenandoah Asa Shenandoah Lumbee/Tuscarora/Onondaga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Asa Shenandoah, Daiaweñdodeh, represents two bloodlines. Her mother’s people, the Lumbee and Tuscarora Tribes of North Carolina, are river, swamp and coastal folk. Her father’s people welcomed the Peacemaker into Haudenosaunee territory on the Onondaga Lake. Though Shenandoah was adopted by her father’s nation at birth, her call to water comes from both sides. Shenandoah attended St. Andrew’s School in Delaware where she discovered rowing. She was moved to the top varsity boat as a sophomore, one of two underclassman on an all senior boat. That year she competed in the most prestigious high school rowing competition in the world, the 2004 Stotesbury Regatta. The team won with a time of 5:29:05 in the 1500m sprint. Their success secured them entry into the Henley Royal Regatta in England. Henley attracts Olympic and elite intercollegiate competitors from around the globe. Few high school programs participate. Her team set a divisional course record during the semifinals. They placed second in the finals. After college Shenandoah was approached to help create a Native crew team in Onondaga. At one time the lake had become one of the most polluted lakes in the world. She saw this as an opportunity to help to repair her community’s relationship with, and bring exposure to, the water. Shenandoah began coaching for the Syracuse City School crew team and Syracuse Chargers Rowing Club.These programs gave her the experience, certifications and support to grow the first indigenous crew team. Under her leadership the team gained representatives from across the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She built connections that brought the team instruction from the head coach of Colgate University, training with Virginia Commonwealth University Women’s team and use of Syracuse University’s training facilities. They competed in several regattas within the first year. This crew of mothers, grandmothers, college students and aunties advocated for women and promoted wellness within their community. Since COVID, however, they are on hiatus. The goal for Shenandoah having a boathouse on the lake would be the first time the Onondaga People would occupy a place on the water in a very long time. <Back

< 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

Matt Roberson Wichita/Keechi Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2023 <Back Matt Roberson is the Executive Director for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation. Matt also serves as the Executive Officer and Region 6 Director for the North American Indigenous Games Council, as well as, serving as a Management Representative for Quivera Enterprises, Wichita Tribal Enterprises, Wichita Government Solutions and Iscani Industries. Matt is an enrolled member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Keechi) and is originally from Anadarko, Oklahoma. Previously, Matt was elected to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Executive Committee and served as Southern Plains Regional Vice-President Alternate for the National Congress of American Indians. Matt was elected to two terms as President of The Association of Combative Sports Commissions. While under his leadership, The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation was recognized as the 2017 Organization of The Year by the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. The Department of Athletic Regulation, also organized and hosted the First Annual “Meeting of The Clans” an All-Indigenous Amateur Boxing World Championship in 2022. In 2017, Matt received The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s prestigious “40 under 40 Award." In 2018, Matt was selected as an American Express NGEN Fellow and in 2022 completed Converge Social Justice Leadership fellowship through the American Express Leadership Academy.

< Back Dennis J Danforth Sr. Dennis J Danforth Sr. Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Dennis Danforth Sr., “Teyohahase – Good Road,” is a member of the Oneida Nation (WI). Danforth earned his Associates degree in Business Management and currently works for the Oneida Comprehensive Housing Division. A devoted husband to Margaret Danforth and an amazing father to seven children and a proud grandfather to 14 grandchildren. Danforth began his boxing journey at 10 years old with his brothers at the Oneida Mission Boxing Club in Oneida, WI. This was the beginning of shaping a lifetime of family, healthy relationships, and core values through hard work, fitness, and commitment. Danforth’ high school years began at West De Pere High School, and in his junior year in 1974 he transferred to the Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, South Dakota. Danforth was a multi-sport athlete playing football, basketball, track & field, and boxing. Trained by the late Joe O’Brien, a former Ojibwe boxer and a Marine veteran, Danforth learned valuable lessons of self-control, strategy, focus, sportsmanship, and was a boxing standout. Although Danforth was offered a football scholarship to Black Hill State University, his love of boxing took him on a journey that shaped his lifetime of self-discipline, humbleness, and competitiveness that he shares with his children and grandchildren. Danforth fought in the welterweight and middleweight classes. His greatest accomplishments as a boxer were being invited to the 1976 Olympic Trials and being a three-time National Indian Athletic Association two-weight class champion. Danforth won the 1977 South Dakota State Championship, the Upper Midwest Golden Gloves Championships in Minneapolis, and eventually crowned the 1977 Golden Gloves Welterweight Champion. He received a bid to the U.S. National Golden Gloves Tournament in Hawaii, where he joined Team Minnesota. He fought hard in Honolulu where he was defeated in a controversial split decision to a former three division world champion professional fighter. Danforth was also a two-time Wisconsin State AAU Boxing Tournament champion and participated in three National AAU Boxing tournaments throughout Indian Country. Danforth now enjoys passing on core values through coaching, singing for his community, and inspiring others to learn their culture, language and always be proud of who they are. <Back

Officials Gary Hull Inupiaq Danny McCourt Algonquin/Iroquois Brian Chrupalo Pine Creek Frist Nation 282 Michael Thomas St. Croix Ojibwe