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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 2024 North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Friday - Saturday, March 15-16, 2024 Oneida, WI USA Learn More Athletes Coaches Builders Teams Media Officials Trainers Inductee Search

About Introduction: The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) honors and recognizes the indigenous sport cultures of 27 countries of North America by recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in individual and team athletics. By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of the annually inducted individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics and life. Nomination Process: Nominations for individuals and teams to be considered for induction into the annual North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame are accepted throughout the course of the year until the October 21st noon central time deadline. Nominations are accepted for individu als or teams in the following categories: • Athlete • Coach • Team • Builder • Media • Official • Trainer Inductee eligibility: Inductees are recognized and honored, past and present, as Indigenous to North America including but not limited to Tribal, First Nation, Métis, Inuit including federally recognized and self-identified descendant in the listed categories throughout the year. Inductee’s may also be considered who are indigenous to North America and compete outside of North American and those who are indigenous outside of North America and compete in North America. The inductee’s credentials need to include being at the highest state, provincial, region, national or international sport recognition, and/or being recognized in college or professional athletic realms. To receive a nomination form or for additional information, contact Dr. Dan Ninham at 218.368.643 0 (text preferred) or coach.danninham@ gmail.com . The annual nomination deadline is noon central time on October 21st for the next year induction. The inductee’s credentials need to include being at the highest state, provincial, region, national, international sport recognition, and/or being recognized in college or professional athletic realms. Induction Recognition: There will be an in-person banquet recognition to be determined. There will not be a hall of fame facility. Each inductee will receive a certificate and in person banquet inductees may receive additional gift/s. There will be a school curriculum developed to continue sharing the legacies of inductees. The induction announcement will be made on November 1st of the year before each induction class year.

Henry Boucha Category Athlete Tribe Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 6/1/51 While growing up in Warroad, Minnesota, Henry Boucha played on the 1964 Bantam State Championship team, was all-conference in football, baseball, and hockey and was three-time All-State in hockey. Boucha graduated in 1969 from Warroad High School. The Warroad Warriors were runner-up at 1969 Minnesota Boys State Hockey Tournament. He signed with the Winnipeg Jets of the WCHL after high school. As an 18-year old, Boucha was chosen to represent the USA in the 1970 World Championships in Bucharest, Romania. In 1970, he was drafted in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He served two years in the Army while playing with the 1971 US World Championship Team and competing in the 1971 World Championships in Bern and Geneva Switzerland. In 1971 the Detroit Red Wings drafted him 16th overall. Still in the service he also played for the US Olympic Team in 1972 in Sapporo, Japan winning a silver medal. Boucha was the first draft choice of the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the new World Hockey Association just after the Olympics. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1971-72 season and played the last 16 games with Detroit. In 1973, he scored the fastest goal at the start of the game against the Montreal Canadians. Boucha was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in the summer of 1974. He suffered a major eye injury on January 4, 1975 when Dave Forbes of the Boston Bruins hit him with his stick resulting in a devastating and career ending eye injury. Boucha retired in 1977 as a 25-year-old. He returned to Warroad in the mid 80’s to raise his family. Henry coached youth hockey, was Indian Education Director at Warroad Public Schools, and was a realtor. He is the CEO of Boucha Films, LLC, and CEO of Boucha Films LTD, Canada. Boucha Films is currently in pre-production on the movie based on his book he authored called “Henry Boucha, Ojibwa-Native American Olympian”. ​ ​ ​ Home 2024 Banquet 2024 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Danny McCourt Algonquin/Iroquois Induction Category: Year Inducted D.O.B. Official 2023 August 14, 1954 <Back Danny McCourt worked as a National Hockey League Official for 25 years, just under 1,700 games from 1979 to 2004. From 2005 to 2022, he held the position as an NHL Officiating Manager in the Scouting & Development Department. From 2022 to current –he serves as a Consultant to the Senior Vice President & Director of Officiating for the NHL Stephen Walkom. Danny was hired by the NHL after working 1-1/2 years as an amateur Official living in Falconbridge, Ontario and one year in the International Hockey League, based in the Detroit area. When the WHA folded, the NHL took in four teams and needed 16 more officials. Six came from the WHA and he was one of the other 10 hired. His junior hockey playing career ended with winning an SOJHL championship with the Windsor Spitfires. Never being drafted to play in the NHL and knowing nothing about playing hockey in Europe, he changed his focus to officiating. Coaching was an option, if officiating didn’t get him to “the show” but he thought he could pursue that when he was older. When asked about his most memorable moment in the NHL, without hesitation he says his first regular season face-off in Edmonton versus Detroit and the two centres’ were his brother Dale, fellow 2023 NAIAHF inductee, and Wayne Gretzky. Dale won the face off.

< Back Joseph Burton, Jr ​ ​ ​ Joseph Burton, Jr Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians Induction Category: Year Inducted D.O.B. ​ Athlete 2023 November 2, 1990 ​ Joseph Burton Jr. is a member of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, in which he was raised and currently resides on the reservation. Joseph began playing sports at four years old, coached and mentored by his mother, Grandfather Charles “B-Bop” Silvas, aunt, and uncles. As he grew older he singled in on playing basketball which he excelled in. He played at West Valley High School in Hemet, CA where he was four-time MVP, four-time All Sun Belt league champion, and CIF Champion 2008. He continued on to Oregon State University with a full ride basketball scholarship, known as the first Native American in OSU history to receive a basketball scholarship. In addition, he along with Coach Robinson introduced the N7 games to OSU basketball in honor of indigenous culture, moreover becoming an ambassador for Nike N7. At OSU he was acknowledged as the first non-guard to record 1000+ points, 700+ rebounds and 300+ assists. While at OSU he visited the White House and met President Barack Obama on various occasions. Upon graduating in 2013, Joseph continued his professional basketball career overseas starting in Denmark playing for Aalborg Vikings. In the last nine years Joseph has played professional basketball in the Netherlands, Japan, Finland, and France. While playing in the French LNB league he's competed at Pro A and Pro B level being awarded MVP in 2016 and runner up 2017. He currently plays in the French FFBB league for Orchies NM1 Basketball. Averaging 21.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, he is ultimately highly ranked with 30+ efficiency. <Back

Leanne Sirup Category Athlete Tribe Inuit Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 6/20/1975 Being of Inuit descent, Leanne Sirup’s history in the sport of swimming spans more than three decades; starting as a swimmer, and then transferring her skills to coaching and mentoring. As an athlete, Leanne raced to the podium in numerous championships provincially and nationally as well as competing for Team Canada internationally. During this period, Leanne also set numerous provincial and national records predominantly in the 800m freestyle, the 200m butterfly, and the 400m individual medley. In addition to her decorated career, Sirup came out of retirement and competed at the 1997 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) where she raced to a total of 8 medals and the distinction of the British Columbia (BC) Premier’s Athlete of the Year. As a coach, Sirup has been the head coach of Team BC since 2004. Leading her provincial swimmers in every NAIG since, including a swim team overall victory in NAIG 2017, Leanne has been honored with the Provincial Coach of the Year (2008) and the National Coaching Award for Indigenous Excellence in Sport as presented by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Coaches Association of Canada partnership (2008, 2021). Ms Sirup has also been selected by Swimming Natation Canada as a Select Coach for their High Performance Development program. Leanne is keen on giving back to the Sport that has given so much to her. She is proud to serve as a National Coaching Certification Program’s Learning Facilitator since 2012, sharing her knowledge and experience to further the development the sport of swimming. Locally, Leanne continually endeavors to create opportunities for the youth to learn about the sport of swimming to open the pathway for success in any branch of Aquatics. To positively affect those around her, just as her coaches and mentors have done so generously for her. Photo: Carrie Matheson Home 2024 Banquet 2024 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Duval Category Athlete Tribe Metis Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 7/7/1971 Liz was born and raised in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada. From a very early age her athletic prowess preceded her in all the sports she played. At the age of 10 years, she began playing ice hockey and at the time she was one of only two girls who were given permission to play with “the boys” in her local hockey association. Her hockey skills were above average and soon many people took notice of her exceptional play. While still in her teens she was selected by Hockey Ontario to compete in the 1988 Ontario Winter Games. After graduating from secondary school, she was recruited to play women’s varsity hockey for the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. Liz served as Captain for her final three years while also leading her team-mates in scoring for that same period. In the 1994-95* season, she led the Gryphons to the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association Championship. Also in that year, and as the team’s MVP, she was a finalist for the University of Guelph’s Sportswoman of the Year. It’s also worthy to make note of the fact that Liz was selected as an OWIAA All-Star for each of her four years she suited up for the Gryphons. Upon graduation from university, Liz starred for the Mississauga Chiefs of the Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League from 1993 through to 2000. In 1996, she scored the overtime winning goal and led the Chiefs to capture the Ontario Senior AA hockey title. Liz finished her hockey career by playing professional women’s hockey in France. In 2016 the 1994-95 Gryphons women’s hockey team was inducted into the University of Guelph’s Sports Hall of Fame. Home 2024 Banquet 2024 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Rebekah Howe ​ ​ ​ Rebekah Howe Crow Creek Sioux Induction Category: Year Inducted D.O.B. ​ Athlete 2023 July 29, 1986 ​ Rebekah (Bekah) Howe is Crow Creek Sioux. She plays competitive pétanque and has medaled at regional, national, and international events. Bekah started playing pétanque casually in 2012. She began competing regionally in 2014, and played her first national competition in 2015, bringing home a silver medal in the National Women’s Doubles category. In 2018 she won gold in the National Women’s Singles event and the National Mixed Doubles event. Her first international competition was in 2022, where she represented the U.S. at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama alongside her teammates Janice Bissonnette, Juanita Celix, and Chia Vang. In addition to the women’s team competition, Bekah participated in the precision shooting event where she took the silver medal, earning the first international medal for the United States in pétanque. Most recently, her women’s triples team of Gerda Jorgensen and Chia Vang qualified to represent the U.S. at the 2023 Pétanque World Championships in Thailand. Bekah believes in the power of sport to build community. She has served on the board of her local pétanque club since its inception, and encourages everyone to learn more about her favorite sport, pétanque, and come out and play. She lives in Port Townsend, WA with her husband Silas Holm, who also plays competitive pétanque, and her dog Lou. One of her favorite sport moments was winning the 2018 National Mixed Doubles with Silas. She hopes to play pétanque well into her old age, with her walker or wheelchair if necessary. Photo Credits: Carlos Chavez and Federation of Petanque USA <Back

J.R. Conrad Category Athlete Tribe Eastern Shawnee Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/2/1974 J.R. Conrad was born and raised in Northeast Oklahoma, and he is an Eastern Shawnee Tribal Member. J.R. grew up in Indian housing with his mom’s side of the family all living under the same roof for much of his childhood. Once he got to high school, he figured out football could pay for school and it could change the trajectory of his life, and future generations of his family. J.R. became an All-State player, a Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma, and a Gatorade Player of the Year for the Southwest US. He went on to play football at the University of Oklahoma, and was the first true freshman to ever start at center in school history. He was a USA Today All American, started in over 40 games, and was a 4-year starter. Played in bowl games, and the Blue Grey All Star Game, got invited to the combine. He was drafted by the New England Patriots and was a part of Super Bowl 31 team, played for Bill Parcells, followed him to the New York Jets, and later spent a short time with the Dallas Cowboys. J.R. has been married to his wife Keisha for 24 years, and they have four children: Hayden, Hudson, Henley, and Holden. Home 2024 Banquet 2024 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Coaches Craig Berube Cree Dano Thorne ’kwaliquinum’ Coast Salish Cowichan and Nez Perce Jason Peters Mi’kmaw Kelvin Sampson Lumbee Mark Burnam Mohawk Mohawk

Provincial Nominees George Attla Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Wally Leask Alaska Sports Hall of Fame John Brown Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Reggie Joule Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Herb Didrickson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Elliott Sampson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Fred Simpson Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Albert Smoke Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Ron Brown Manitoba Sports & Manitoba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Joe Keeper Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Angela Chalmers Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Reg Leach Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jack Jacobs Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jill Mathez Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Robert Bernard Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Seymour Doucette Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame George Tex Marshall Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Sarah Lynn Knockwood Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Chad Denny Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Jesse "Cab" Renick Chickasaw Hall of Fame Jack and Gerry Brisco Chickasaw Hall of Fame Tom Longboat Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame

< Back Brady Fairbanks ​ ​ ​ Brady Fairbanks Leech Lake Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted D.O.B. ​ Athlete 2022 August 18, 1989 ​ Brady Fairbanks, 2007 graduate of Cass Lake Bena High School (MN), was a Minnesota High School All-State athlete in football and basketball. During his high school career, Fairbanks was a three-year starter on the basketball team leading CLB to an 83-11 record, including 42-0 in conference play. In 2006-2007, he led CLB to the Class A State Championship game where the team came up just shy of victory in a memorable game. Accomplishments include: • Conference MVP (‘06 and ‘07), • Section 6 MVP (‘06 and ‘07), • Honorable Mention State (‘06), • 2nd Team All State (‘07), • McDonald’s All-American Nominee, • Minnesota Native American Athlete of the Year, • National High School Player of the Year (Native Elite Showcase) Fairbanks accepted a full scholarship to NCAA DII Bemidji State University, becoming a starter and earning a spot on the All-Freshman Team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Transferring to Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) after his junior year, Fairbanks had a historical year becoming the school’s first male athlete to become a NAIA All-American. Accomplishments include: • 7th nationally in scoring (20.9), • 14th in rebounding (6.3), • First Team All-Conference, • Conference New-Comer of the Year, • Team MVP, • 1,000+ Points (Collegiate Career). Photos: Haskell Athletics and Ryan White <Back