< Back Phillip Whiteman Jr. Phillip Whiteman Jr. Northern Cheyenne Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Northern Cheyenne traditional Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr, Heove ve'keso (Yellowbird), comes from a long line of chiefs and horse people, who are caretakers of horse medicine and songs. Phillip Whiteman Jr. is a two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider in the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in 1985 and 1999. He qualified 26 times for the INFR and held the highest mark ride of 86 points for 34 years. He won the Open Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) title twice in 1991 and 1993, and was a seven-time world finalist at El Paso, Texas under the North American Rodeo Commission (NARC). He became a champion in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and was selected to join their first All American Rodeo and Wild West Show to Europe, organized by Jerome Robinson. As a PRCA member he became the first European tour champion in Helsinki, Finland, with a score of 91, besting the champions of the time, including three-time PRCA world champion, Monty (Hawkeye) Henson. He competed on the same tour in Paris, France, in 1991. For 15 years he put on rodeo schools for indigenous and non-indigenous children in his home community on the Northern Cheyenne reservation with PRCA Hall of Fame legends, including: Shawn Davis; Charlie Sampson; Bruce Ford; Donny Gay; and Gary Leffew. He competed as an old-style grass dancer often winning in both the professional rodeo and powwow arenas at the same time, including at Navajo Nation Fair; the Shoshone Bannock Festival; Crow Fair; and Oglala Fair. He is also a traditional storyteller and flute player and award-winning recording artist, including winning an Indian Summer Music Award and Native American Music Awards (NAMA) nominations. He served as culture and language advisor for the Hollywood A-List movie Hostiles. Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr. has been committed to giving back to Indigenous children and youth, including in his home community. He also offers trainings across North America through his organization Spirit Seeker Solution combining his lifetime of experience and his ancestral teachings to connect horse, human and spirit. <Back

< Back Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis Seaconke Wampanoag Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 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.” <Back

Can Am Warriors Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back In 1980 the first attempt for a World Box Lacrosse Championship was held in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia (BC) from July 8-17. Five teams participated in the event, Canada West (Coquitlam Adanacs), Canada East (Brooklyn Redman), Australia, US, and North American Natives (Can Am Warriors). The Can Am Warriors were represented by players from the Haudenosaunee and Squamish Nation from BC. The majority of the native players played in the Can-Am Senior B league located in New York State and eastern Canada. That is why the team's entry name for the tournament was Can Am Warriors. Prior to the tournament the Can AM Warriors played the North Shore Indians team twice, and split the games 1-1. Six players from the North Shore team were added to the Can Am team to form the final roster. The team had excellent goalies and the players were young, skilled, and fast. During the round robin tournament the Warriors went 2-2, losing to both the Canadian teams. In the semifinal game the Warriors beat Canada East in a high scoring game that sent them into the finals against the tournament favorite, Canada West. The final game was played at the Pacific Coliseum in front of 7,500 lacrosse fans. The coliseum was electrified by the sound of the beating drums by the Squamish people that added motivation to the native team. It was the largest crowd any of the Can Am Warrior players had ever played in front of in their careers. The first period ended with a one goal lead for the Warriors. The game went back and forth and eventually the size and experience of the Canadian team led them to win the gold medal, 16-11. The Can Am Warriors entertained lacrosse fans in lower mainland arenas with their lacrosse skills during the tournament and finished with a hard fought and highly respectable silver medal. Back Row L to R: Ross Powless, Roy Pinder, Trainer, Harry Powless, Barry Powless, Chuck Martin, Freeman Bucktooth, Tom Thomas, Steve Miller, Louie Mitchell, Dave Bray, Ernie Mitchell, Gilbert Jacobs, Willis Baker, Wes Patterson, Peter Garrow, Frank Baker. Middle Row L to R: Dennis Murrey, Gary Powless, Dave Waterman, Mike Cornelius, Wayne Baker, Delmar Jacobs, Larry King, Dave White, Allan Newmanm, Ryan Newman. Bottom Row L to R: Keith Baker, Jeff Gill, Chuck Stevens, Vern Baker, Jeff Guss, Sam Seward, Frankie Davis.

< Back Zach Whitecloud Zach Whitecloud Sioux Valley Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Zach Whitecloud, who spent much of his upbringing on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, joined a group of Stanley Cup winners of Indigenous descent including Hockey Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Grant Fuhr when three of his eight points in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs came in the Stanley Cup Final to help the Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5. Whitecloud became the second defenseman in 22 years and 11th in the NHL modern era (since 1943-44) to score the game-winning goal in the opening game of the Final. Whitecloud was traded to the Calgary Flames on Jan. 18, 2026. He was third on the Golden Knights in hits (73), blocks (63) and short-handed time on ice per game (1:44) at the time of the deal. After playing played three seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Whitecloud then moved on to Bemidji State University in Minnesota. In two NCAA seasons Whitecloud had 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) in 77 games. Whitecloud signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on March 8, 2018, and made his NHL debut a month later, playing 16:42 against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018. He played all of 2018-19 with Chicago of the American Hockey League, finishing with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 74 games and leading the AHL with a plus-39 rating. In the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, Whitecloud led all defensemen with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 22 games the most by an AHL rookie defenseman since Alex Goligoski had 28 points with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008. Whitecloud started 2019-20 in the AHL and had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 35 games. He was recalled by the Golden Knights on Feb. 1 and got his first NHL point Feb. 28 against the Buffalo Sabres, an assist on a third-period goal by Reilly Smith in a 4-2 victory. In 16 games Whitecloud averaged 14:19 of ice time and was plus-3. Source: Calgary Flames <Back

< Back Joe Hipp Joe Hipp Blackfeet Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Joe Hipp aka Joe "The Boss" Hipp was born on the Blackfeet reservation in Browning, Montana and raised in Yakima Washington. At eight years old he became an amateur boxer and by the end of his amateur career his record was 119-9. At his first bout as a professional in the ring his wife nicknamed him “the boss”. By the end of his professional career his record was 43-7 with 29 knockouts. In 2009 he was inducted into the American Indian Hall of Fame. In 1999 he won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Heavyweight Championship making him the first Native American Heavyweight Champion of the World. In 1996 he won the Western U.S. Heavyweight Championship, in 1994 the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, and in 1991 the WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. He was married 40 years to his late wife Barbara and they have four kids between them including Christina, Zack and twins Vanessa and Sophia along with 11 grandchildren, and one great grandson. When he retired from boxing he created the All Nations Foundation to encourage Native American youth to strive for achievement and excellence in academics as well as physical and mental health. He also speaks on suicide prevention and awareness. His and his daughters do motivational speaking at schools, youth centers and conventions about their experiences with suicide in their community. They created a scholarship called "Keeping the Dream Alive" in memory of his first granddaughter Alexandria Cole who was the 2012 Chief Leshi’s Daffodil Princess. <Back

< Back Virgil Hill Virgil Hill Three Affiliated Tribes Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill is a highly successful and decorated world champion boxer. His pride in his home state and his Native American heritage were both well represented throughout Virgil’s career. He would carry a North Dakota flag and wear his Native American headdress while entering the ring in bouts around the world. He first caught the attention of the boxing world as an amateur where he competed in the 1984 Olympic Games for the United States and won the silver medal as a middleweight. Following his stellar performance in the Olympic Games, Hill turned professional and fought as a light heavyweight and cruiserweight from 1984 to 2007. Over that career he won five world titles and defended those titles an amazing 20 times before making a final farewell fight in his hometown of Bismarck, ND in 2015. Over the course of his hall of fame career, Hill stacked up an impressive record of 51 wins and seven losses. A major career highlight came on September 5, 1987, in Atlantic City, when he defeated Leslie Stewart by TKO for the WBA World Light Heavyweight Title. Hill went on to defend his title ten times before losing it to boxing legend Thomas “Hitman” Hearns in 1991. He later recaptured his title in 1992 with a victory over Frank Tate, and successfully defended his belt ten more times between 1992 and 1997. At the tail end of his career, Hill also won the IBC and WBA titles in the cruiserweight division. Hill was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2010, The International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2013, The Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019, and The National Hall of Fame in 2022. Hill remains in boxing as a trainer having helped several Native American boxers with their careers and occasionally co-promotes pro-am shows in North Dakota, California, and Wisconsin. His biggest dream is to see Native American athletes walking into the Olympics as their own Nation. <Back

< Back Kenneth Strath Moore Kenneth Strath Moore Cree Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Kenneth Strath Moore is the first First Nation athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. A citizen of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, he was born in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1910. Moore would excel at every sport he played, including hockey, baseball, lacrosse, rugby, basketball, speed skating and cycling, although he was most passionate about hockey. His athletic and academic abilities enabled him to win scholarships, and he attended Campion College and Regina College in the late 1920s at a time when almost no First Nations students attended universities and colleges. He captained hockey and rugby teams, played baseball and basketball, and was described as “the most versatile athlete in the College.” Moore became a Canadian Junior Hockey Champion in 1930, scoring the winning goal with 40 seconds left in the game to win the Memorial Cup. He won two Allan Cup National Hockey Championships, and in 1932 traveled to Lake Placid, New York, to represent his country and the Cree Nation at the Olympics. There he scored a goal in the game against Poland, won a gold medal, and made history. Today, Moore’s achievements would be exceptional. A century ago, his achievements are extraordinary. He represents excellence and what can happen when talent and heart triumph over poverty and prejudice. After Moore’s retirement from sport a Winnipeg newspaper noted “It is doubtful if any other athlete in Canada has a record that will stand up to that of Moore’s.” He gave back to the community by coaching three teams to championship titles and sitting on the board of the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association. In 1967 Moore’s Regina Pats hockey team was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, in 1976 his Kimberley Dynamiters team was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1987 the Winnipegs, his 1932 Olympic hockey team, was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Moore’s accomplishments were celebrated in 2018 in a hockey exhibit at the Manitoba Museum, and his achievements are on display at the British Columbia 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 Brady Fairbanks Brady Fairbanks Leech Lake Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 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

Gewas Schindler Category Athlete Tribe Oneida Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 3/28/1976 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. Home 2027 Banquet 2027 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Orin Lou Askenette <Back Menominee Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2025 Orin “Lou” Askenette, was a retired Oneida Nation security officer and former boxer, trainer, referee and coach. Lou was a legendary boxing coach whose dedication and ability shaped the careers of countless champions. With over 50 years in the sport, he has made an indelible mark on boxing. Lou’s work in molding and shaping fighters has helped them prepare for life responsibilities while building careers promoting positive life skills. Lou has played a strong role in many lives, mentoring men and women warriors of Indian Country. Lou began his boxing career fighting on his father’s boxing team, the Menominee Indian boxing club. In 1959 in Fond du Lac, WI, Lou won the 135 lbs. Championship; in 1961 he won the open division tournament at Fond du Lac at 126 lbs. At the age of 18 he joined the military and from 1963 to 1967 he fought on the United States Air Force boxing team. After his military career he joined the Wisconsin Boxing Referee Association, where he was a well-known boxing official. In 1973 he started his coaching career at the Oneida Boxing Club on the Oneida Indian Reservation in Wisconsin and was recruited by Chairman Purcell Powless. In 1977 he co- founded and coached the Soaring Eagles Boxing Club in Green Bay, WI, and he continued recruiting and training amateur and professional boxing careers. Lou has coached and trained several fighters including Carlos Molina, Harry “The Hammer Funmaker, Ernie “Big Cat” Stevens Jr., Roger Ponfil, Chuck Ponfil, Joey Christjohn, Kelly Stevens, Paul “Bad Horse” Stevens, Matt Denny, DJ Denny, Tim Tomashek, Todd Moon Hill, Rory Hill, Mel Smith, Earl Smith, Paul Danforth, Buggs Danforth, John Maino, and others.

< Back Brady Tanner Brady Tanner Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Brady Tanner was born on January 4, 1980 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation, is the son of Gary and Jane Tanner and has two sisters Jamie and Jennifer. Brady has come a long way as he only weighed 4.9 pounds at birth and has Rubenstien-Taybi Syndrome which limits his ability to mentally develop and grow normally. He started lifting in the Special Olympic Competitions at age 21 and was considered the Strongest Special Olympian in the World from 2011-2014 with his maximum lifts. The maximum lifts for Brady’s career included: Bench Press-525 lbs., Squat-650 lbs., Dead Lift-650 lbs., and a strict Curl-165 lbs. for a total maximum combination of 1,990 pounds. In 2011 Brady was chosen to be on Special Olympic Team USA and represented America in Powerlifting at the 275+ category in Athens, Greece. He won three Gold Medals and one Silver Medal including the Overall Combination Gold Medal. Brady has also won the following competitions: -He competed in the first National Special Olympics Games and won two Gold Medals in Powerlifting. -State Special Olympic Champion (Kansas) 19 times from 2001-2020. -World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters (WABDL) – 17 World Championships in Bench Press and 17 World Championships in Deadlift. He was the Outstanding Lifter seven times in Bench Press and four times in Deadlift. -Natural Athlete Strength Association (NASA) nine-time National Champion Brady has also accomplished the following: -Brady has been awarded Kansas City Sports Commission Special Athlete Achievement Award in 2011. -He was recognized as one of the 10 Most Distinguished Kansan of 2011. -The Mayor of Lawrence, Kansas declared June 16, 2011 as Brady Tanner Day. -He is an inductee of the 2013 American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame -Lawrence High School Hall of Honor in 2013 -Inducted to the World Association of Bench Pressers and Deadlifters Hall of Fame in 2016 -Kansas Special Olympics Hall of Fame in 2018 Brady was the Ball Boy for the Haskell Indian Nations University from 1987 until 2015 where he was motivational to all the student athletes in the athletic program. <Back