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< Back Bill Berry Bill Berry Apache Tribe of Oklahoma Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Bill Berry was named the 1980 Oklahoma High School Coaches Association American Legion Baseball Coach of the Year and 2003 Assistant All-State Baseball Coach, 2000 Oklahoma High School Softball Coaches Association All-State Fast Pitch Coach and 2012 All-State Slow Pitch Coach, 2014 Arizona Diamondbacks National Native American Softball Coach of the Year, and 2017 and 2018 Oklahoma Native American All-State Fast Pitch Coach. Berry was an assistant coach with the ASA 18U Gold Tulsa Eagles reaching the National Tournament five times placing ninth in 2003. He coached 23 All-State players and assisted in sending 27 players to NCAA Division I and 67 to various colleges on softball scholarships. He was inducted into the Oklahoma High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2016 and selected as a 2017 Oklahoma AARP Indian Elder Honoree. Berry was the winning coach of the 2001 All-Indian Women’s National Softball Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK, 2013 Jim Thorpe Native American Games 18U Softball Championship in Oklahoma City, OK, and the 2016 Native American Basketball Tournament (NABI) 18U Softball National Tournament Championship in Phoenix, AZ. In 2020, he was named head softball coach of an 18U All-USA girls’ fast pitch team that was to play in Spain but cancelled due to COVID-19. He played 28 years of professional men’s fast pitch and was named the 1978 National Indian Athletic Association National Tournament MVP in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1979 in Albuquerque, NM, 1980 in Norman, OK, 1979 and 1983 ASA National Tournament MVP in Oklahoma City, OK, and Sioux City, IA, and played in the International Softball Congress (ISC) 1994 World Tournament at Prince Edward Island, Canada. He was a member of the 1991, 1992, and 1993 All-Indian Fast Pitch National Champions (North Americans) in Oklahoma City, OK. Berry was a three-time All-Conference pitcher at Cameron University and made the Oklahoma All-State baseball team and winning the Oklahoma American Legion State Baseball Championship in 1971. He served as assistant softball coach at Oklahoma Panhandle State University and head softball coach at Bacone College and was an invited clinician for the University of Oklahoma, Baylor, and Louisiana Monroe softball camps. <Back

< Back María Lorena Ramírez María Lorena Ramírez Rarámuri Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 María Lorena Ramírez won the 2017 Ultra Trail Cerro Rojo 50K in Puebla, Mexico in a time of 7:20 and not long after, she became the first Rarámuri woman to compete in a European ultra with her inaugural attempt at the Bluetrail, the second-highest race in Europe. She competes wearing huaraches, a form of sandals, and a long skirt and she has a truly fascinating story and was featured in the 2019 Netflix documentary Lorena, Light-Footed Woman. Photo/Bio Credit: Ultra X <Back

Iroquois Nationals 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Silver Medalists Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back Iroquois Nationals Announce Roster for 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships The Iroquois Nationals announced the players that represented the program in the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Name, Number, Position, Last Team, Hometown Mike Thompson, 66, G, Buffalo Bandits, Akwesasne Ken Montour, 29, G, Philadelphia Wings, Six Nations Mike Attwood, 00, G, Arizona Sting, St. Catharines, Ont. Doug Noganosh, 61, D, Barrie Lakeshores, Mnjikaning Sid Smith, 17, D, Six Nations Arrows, Six Nations Ryan McComber, 15, D, Kahnawake Mohawks, Kahnawake Clay Kirby, 88, D, Kahnawake Mohawks, Kahnawake Daryl Seymour, 19, D, Buffalo Bandits, Akwasasne Marshall Abrams-A, 43, D, Rochester Knighthawks, Onondaga Travis Hill, 47, T, Minnesota Swarm, Fort Erie, Ont. Tom Montour, 63, T, Chicago Shamrox, Six Nations Kyle Jamieson, 6, T, Six Nations Chiefs, Six Nations Andrew Lazore, 14, F, Arizona Sting, Akwesasne Dean Hill, 73, F, Minnesota Swarm, Six Nations Cory Bomberry-C, 72, F, Buffalo Bandits, Six Nations Cody Jamieson, 10, F, Six Nations Arrows, Six Nations Andy Secore, 21, F, Arizona Sting, Hamilton, Ont. Gewas Schindler, 42, F, New York Titans, Onondaga Brett Bucktooth, 26, F, Buffalo Bandits, Onondaga Craig Point, 22, F, Six Nations Arrows, Six Nations Delby Powless-A, 9, F, Buffalo Bandits, Six Nations Roger Vyse 81 F Buffalo Bandits Six Nations Jeff Shatler-X F Calgary Roughnecks Calgary, AB Brandon Swamp-X T St. Regis Indians Akwesasne Robert Jimerson-X T Newtown Eagles Cattaraugus A – Assistant Captain C – Captain X – Alternate Duane Jacobs, Head Coach Jason Tracy, Assistant Coach Ron Chatelain, Assistant Coach Kevin Sandy, General Manager Kim Smith, Assistant General Manager Vern Jones, Equipment Manager Blair Martin, Assistant Equipment Manager

< Back Gewas Schindler Gewas Schindler Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Gewas Schindler is a Haudenosaunee Oneida Nation citizen and a member of the Turtle Clan. He grew up playing multiple sports under the tutelage of his grandfather, Chief Paul Waterman, on the Onondaga Nation. Gewas played the Creator’s game, this game has world-renowned origins within the Haudenosaunee culture known as Dehontsigwiseh - "bumping hips" is called lacrosse, currently played collegiately, internationally, and at pre-Olympic levels today. Gewas worked for the National Hockey League Phoenix Coyotes and the National Lacrosse League Arizona Sting in marketing, the professional Rochester Nighthawks Lacrosse organization as Governor and he served five years on the National Lacrosse League Board of Governors along with serving on their Marketing Committee, Player Relations Committee, and the Collective Bargaining Agreement Unit. In 2012 Gewas Schindler received the NCAIED (The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development) 40 Under 40 National Business Award, and the Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce Award in 2010. Gewas Schindler attended Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland, concentrating in Communications and Marketing. As a student-athlete at Loyola, he earned lacrosse accolades earning 3X Division 1 All American Attackman awards. He was a 3X Iroquois Nationals World Team Captain who worked as a professional athlete in the National Lacrosse League and the Major Lacrosse League for eight years. Gewas Schindler competed in seven more World Lacrosse Championships and made eight Iroquois National World Team Rosters. In 2021, as General Manager, the Haudenosaunee U-15 Team won a Gold Medal in the IIJL World Championship, and the Haudenosaunee U-17 Team followed with a Gold Medal. Gewas’ role as an organization builder for youth lacrosse led him to serve as a Lacrosse Ambassador traveling to numerous countries such as Australia, Japan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, England, Mexico, Switzerland, Haudenosaunee, Indigenous Territories, Canada, and the United States to support, advise, and to leave a sport the indigenous people gave to the world community of lacrosse. Gewas’ family includes his wife Tia, and four children, Lawson, Madex, Kohen, and Kimaura. <Back

Kayla Gardner Category Athlete Tribe Eagle Lake First Nation Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 11/16/1994 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. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Patti Dillon Patti Dillon Mi'kmaq Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Patti Dillon was one of the most storied and accomplished runners of her era. Rising from complete obscurity to win the 1976 Ocean State Marathon, she quickly established herself as the best female runner in the Boston Area. By 1979, however, she was one of the most fearsome competitors in the United States. The next three years would see her finish runner up at the Boston Marathon three times in succession; finish behind Grete Waitz in the 1980 NYC Marathon becoming the first American woman to break 2:30; set multiple American and world records; and help to usher in professional running in the United States, often at great cost to herself. Along the way, Patti was signed by Nike as their first sponsored female runner and was pivotal in pushing for and accepting prize money in road races. In one glorious stretch, Patti entered 48 road races and won 44 of them. She set world records in the 20k, half-marathon and 30k and a world record in the women’s only marathon. Patti also won the Honolulu Marathon 4 times, winning in course record times with each successive race. After retiring in 1986, Patti married US Cross-country National Team standout Dan Dillon. They have two wonderful children, Aaron and Raven, and a growing pack of golden retrievers. Patti is now the Head Coach of the first professional Native American running team in US history with the intention of developing world class talent across Native Americans communities. Patti held the World Record for 5 miles, 20k, 13.1 miles, 30K twice, and 26.2 miles. American records included the 10k 6x, 15k 2x, and 10 miles. She broke the American Marathon record three times and held them all at the same time. <Back

< Back Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Duval Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Duval Metis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 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. <Back

< Back Dennis Eastman Dennis Eastman Crow Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2025 Dennis Eastman was born December 23, 1960 in Crow Agency, Montana. He was enrolled in the Crow Tribe of Montana and was a descendent of the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy, MT. He attended high school in Wahpeton, North Dakota (ND) where he participated in football, basketball, track, and baseball, and was the ND High School Athlete of the Year in 1979. He played basketball and football at NDSCS in Wahpeton, and football at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). Eastman had a remarkable quarterback career at MSUM in the early 1980’s. He was a two year starter, piloted the Dragons to an undefeated regular season in 1981 and a number one spot on the final NAIA I regular season polls. He led the Dragons to consecutive conference titles and post-season playoff trips; he was named to the All-Conference and All-NAIA District 13 teams in 1981 and voted the Most Valuable Player in the NIC as a senior. In 1993, he was inducted into both schools’ Athletic Halls of Fame. After graduating from MSUM, Dennis received his teaching certificate from Mayville State University. In 1990, Dennis and his family moved to Brainerd, Minnesota where he began his teaching and coaching career at Central Lakes College. He held a number of roles in his 26 years at CLC, including men’s football coach, women’s basketball coach, women’s softball coach and Athletic Director. In his 17 seasons as the Raiders women’s basketball coach his teams had two trips to the Region 13 national tournament, won the NJCAA Division III National Championship in 1996, and qualified for nine state tournaments. He received the Region XIII Coach of the Year in 1996. His Raider women’s softball teams went to national tournaments in 2000 and 2001, finishing seventh both times. Eastman was passionate about coaching and teaching, and worked to instill values that would help his students and athletes be successful later in life. Eastman passed away on April 8, 2017 and is deeply missed by all that knew him. <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 Bradley Scott Croaker Bradley Scott Croaker Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Bradley Scott Croaker was born August 31, 1976 in Bemidji,f Minnesota to Wanda Faye Headbird and William Leland Croaker. He is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. He was raised alongside his older sister Andrea and older brother William Jr. At the young age of nine years old Brad began his boxing adventure with the Leech Lake boxing club. His father William and Henry Harper were his coaches throughout his boxing career as he had many others along the way that helped him achieve his accolades including two older brothers William Jr. and Archie Larose. He boxed amateur for 15 years before taking time off to work and raise his family. Within those 15 years Brad earned his nickname of Ogichida by winning multiple local, state, regional, and national titles to he credits. He finished with an amateur record of 134 wins and 12 losses with 50+ KOs. He then turned professional at the age of 27 where he finished with a record of 4 wins 0 losses and 1 draw. As an amateur some of his credits included three National Silver Gloves titles at 80lbs, 119lbs, and 156lbs. Other accomplishments included multiple National Indian Jr. and Sr. Championships, 1992 National Junior Olympic runner up, 1993 North American Indigenous Games 156lb Champion, 1993 State Golden Glove 156lb Champion, and 1994 and 1995 State Golden Glove 165lb Champion. In 1995 Brad qualified for the National Golden Gloves tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he finished as runner up, competing against every states best 165lb boxer. Throughout his boxing career Brad continued playing other sports and had some injuries which would prevent and delay him from continuing his boxing career. Brad said he pushed hard and finished where he needed to, not necessarily where he wanted to, in his career, to not only make a name for himself in the sport but to also put Leech Lake on the map and show others the relentless will power of all Native Americans past present and future. Brad’s wife is Lori and they have five children - Bradley, Jennalee, Brody, Rasean and Devante. <Back

< Back Aspen Wesley Aspen Wesley Choctaw Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Aspen Wesley was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, in 2000. She is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and grew up in the Pearl River Community on the Choctaw Indian reservation. She sees playing softball as her way to inspire the next generation of native kids in her tribe and others. Aspen graduated from Mississippi State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in the spring of 2024 and played on a softball scholarship for five years. She was named 2024 second team all-SEC, two-time NCAA Pitcher of the Week, two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week, and 2023 NFCA All-America scholar-athlete. Aspen helped Mississippi State to their first-ever super regional in 2022. She then played professionally for the Texas Monarchs and was selected as an all-star. She also played overseas in New Zealand. She went to Neshoba Central High School and is a six-time state champion and four-time Mississippi softball Gatorade Player of the Year. When Aspen is done playing softball, she wants to be a pitching coach for college schools. She would love to give back to her community and educate/motivate Native kids to see the world, whether sports-related or academics. Her family and her native people are what have given her the drive to strive for more. Aspen remains committed to pushing the boundaries, learning, and helping others. She hopes to make a meaningful impact in her professional work and community. <Back

< Back Billy Mills Billy Mills Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Billy Mills was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He is Oglala Lakota and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Billy did not have an easy childhood. Surrounded by poverty and orphaned at the age of 12, he started running to channel his energy into something positive. In high school, his gift for running become more apparent as he set records in numerous track events. He went on to earn a track scholarship from the University of Kansas and then served as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. At the 1964 Olympics, he shocked the world and came from behind to win the gold medal in the 10,000 meters race. At the time, he set a world record of 28 minutes, 24.4 seconds and is still the only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10K event. His win was an upset that has been called the second greatest moment in Olympic history. In Lakota culture, someone who achieves great success has a ‘giveaway’ to thank the support system of family and friends who helped him achieve his goal. As part of his effort to give back to his community, Billy helped found Running Strong for American Indian Youth and became the organization’s National Spokesperson. Today Billy travels over 300 days every year. He visits Native American communities throughout the U.S. and speaks to youth about healthy lifestyles and taking pride in their heritage. Photo Credit: Billy Mills <Back