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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 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Aidan Howry Aidan Howry Comanche Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Aidan Howry is a proud member of the Comanche Nation. He is the great-great-grandson of Ethel Michobey-Howry, the grandson of John Henry Howry, and the son of John and Lori Howry. Aidan is the most accomplished Junior World Raw Power Heavyweight Lifter in AAU history, as well as the most accomplished multi-organizational Raw Powerlifters in the United States as a whole. Aidan has won the OFBCA State Championship, N.A.S.A. State Championship, AAU State Championship and AAU 13-15 Year Old Champion raw power all at 242 lbs. From ages 12 and 13, Aidan had 315 lbs. Squat, 365 lbs. Deadlift, and an American Full Power total of 850 lbs. all of which he earned A.A.U. American records for. From 14 to 15 years old, Aidan had 264 lbs. Bench Press, 468 lbs. Deadlift, and a total lift amount of 1,157.4 lbs. He proceeded to win the A.A.U. World Championship and set 3 World Records, USPL National Championship, N.A.S.A. National High School Championship, and the OFBCA State Championship at 308 lbs raw power. From 18-19 years old, he won the OFBCA State Championship, the A.A.U. Junior Olympic Championship, an A.A.U American and A.A.U. World Record also weighed in at 308 lbs. raw power. Aidan had a deadlift of 617.5 pounds at the A.A.U. Junior Olympics. This lift earned an American and World Record. Aidan holds four American records, four World records, and one National Record. He was named the Oklahoma All-District Class A Player from 2019-2021, 2021 Class A Lineman of the Year, VYPE Magazine Class A All-State player 2019-2021, Top 100 player in the Daily Oklahoman, and Tulsa World All Metro Offensive Lineman of 2021. Aidan was also invited and participated in the prestigious NBC Sports All American Combine. Aidan has been awarded many football accolades and honors throughout the duration of high school, but currently as an active scholarship student athlete. He received an offer to play Division 1 at University of Central Arkansas where he played in one game as a true freshman. Aidan went on to enter the transfer portal where he received a scholarship to play football at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. At SOSU, he played every game of his Red Shirt freshman year regular season, as well as the Live United Bowl Game. Photo Credits: Dan Hoke and Lori Howry <Back

< Back Ray Fougnier Ray Fougnier Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 On his 81st birthday on April 5, 2024, Oneida tribal member and grandfather Ray Fougnier set 13 new world records and earned four gold medals at the 2024 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) North American Powerlifting Championships. Fougnier also earned the AAU Powerlifting Best Overall Male Lifter Award and the Best Squat Award, named as the best athlete of all competitors, regardless of age. In 2023, Fougnier was named the AAU National Powerlifter of the Year. The year prior, he earned the 2022 AAU Strength Sports Best Overall Male Athlete of the Year Award, which includes powerlifting, weightlifting, body building and feats of strength. These awards include all competitors, regardless of age. Fougnier has competed at the AAU North American, World and International Powerlifting Championships for ten years, setting new records every time in the raw master’s division, where participants within his age range (80-84) do not use equipment to assist their lift. In addition to his success in powerlifting, Fougnier is also an accomplished educator, administrator and academic. After growing up in the homelands of the Oneida Indian Nation in Upstate New York, the weightlifting champion was selected to serve as the first Director for the American Indian Program at Cornell University. He also served as a teacher or administrator in the East Syracuse-Minoa, Solvay, Westhill and Syracuse City school districts. Fougnier started powerlifting at the age of 70. He was a natural athlete and lifted throughout high school when he was playing sports more consistently. The primary reason for powerlifting later in life was seeing both of his parents struggle with their health. His father was diagnosed with cancer and passed at the age of 66 shortly after retiring. His mother developed diabetes in her 40s and struggled with managing that disease up until she passed at the age of 72. Fougnier has spent the last ten years as a World Champion, and now having entered his third age group in competition, he knows his success supports the correlation between strength training and disease prevention. Source/Photos: Oneida Indian Nation <Back

< Back Phyllis Bomberry Phyllis Bomberry Cayuga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Phyllis Bomberry was a former Canadian softball player who was born in 1942 at the Six Nations of the Grand River in southwestern Ontario. She was a Cayuga woman of the Wolf Clan and emerged as a star athlete in the 1950s. She played women’s intermediate softball with the Ohsweken Mohawks and helped the team win back-to-back provincial Intermediate B championships in 1960 and 1961. After moving to Toronto to complete high school, she was quickly recruited to play catcher for the Carpetland Senior A Team in the Ontario Senior Women’s League. She helped the Carpetland team win Canadian Softball Championships in 1967 and 1968, and was named Top Batter, All-Star Catcher, and most valuable player (MVP) in 1967, and All-Star Catcher again in 1968. In 1968, Phyllis became the first female recipient of the Tom Longboat Award, established in 1951 to recognize outstanding Indigenous athletes in Canada. She won a gold medal at the first Canada Summer Games in 1969 and she was named the Canadian MVP and All Star Catcher. Phyllis Bomberry was posthumously inducted into 2023 Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in the Athlete category. <Back

< 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 Barry Powless Barry Powless Onondaga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 Barry Powless is from the Onondaga Nation and is Eel clan. His elders told him Deyhontsigwa’ ehs (They bump hips) is a medicine game given to the people and played for the enjoyment of the Creator. In 1975, his senior year, he was a high school All American attackman and then played at Syracuse University. He played in two World Championship tournaments; 1980 World Box Lacrosse Championships, silver medal with Can Am Warriors and 1990 World Field Championships in Perth, Australia with the Iroquois Nationals. During his summers, he played box lacrosse at the amateur and professional levels throughout his career in the US and Canada. He was the first overall pick in 1991 with a professional Canadian-US indoor lacrosse league (National Lacrosse League). He received his first pro title, Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL) World Championship, when playing for the Buffalo Bandits in 1992. Barry received multiple league awards for being a High Scorer, MVP, Most Sportsman award, all-star teams, 1978 Cornwall Ontario Lions Club Player of the Year, and 1981 President’s Cup tournament MVP. He won three Canadian National Championships, one Mann Cup and two Presidents Cups. He participated in ten Canadian Championship tournaments and won six British Columbia Provincial Championships. He played senior lacrosse for four decades starting in the 1970’s and retired at age fifty. He was a head coach at the high school, senior, and professional level. He earned his second pro title in 1997 when leading the Rochester Knighthawks to the MILL World Championship and was the first Indigenous head coach to win a world title. Barry also was the VP of Lacrosse Operations for the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and currently is an executive host at Seneca Niagara Casino. Barry is honored, proud and humbled to now be inducted into seven Hall of Fames with those who also played the Creator’s game including 1999 Ontario Lacrosse, 2013 Greater Syracuse Sports, 2015 US Lacrosse Upstate NY Chapter, 2016 LaFayette Central School Sports, 2018 Akwesasne Lacrosse, 2021 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame - Team Category, and the 2023 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. <Back

< Back Dr. Chuck Foster Dr. Chuck Foster Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Dr. Chuck Foster was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona to the late Harold Y. Foster, who was a Navajo Code Talker and Margaret Foster. He comes from the Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan) born for Dzil’ta’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan) and his grandfather, Ta’baabi’ (Edge Water Clan) and grandmother, Hona’gha’ahii (One Who Walks Around Clan). Marie Foster, his wife of 46 years have four adult children and four grandchildren. He was a distinguished student/athlete from Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. He received his AA Degree from Central Arizona College, his BS Degree from the University of Arizona and his MEd and Doctorate Degrees from Brigham Young University. His experience in teaching at the high school and being a school administrator was met with outstanding achievement awards. He was a three sport all state and state champion athlete in high school and competed at the highest level in Arizona’s most prestigious track & field and cross country meets to win his gold medals. At the collegiate level, he was a four-time Collegiate First Team All-American in both track & field and cross country and was a former NJCAA National three-mile record holder. He was also a four-time Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Champion in track & field and cross country, where he held records both in the mile (4:06) and three-mile (13:56) events. At the D1 level his mile (4:04) and 5,000 meters (13:56) was commendable for a personal and collegiate record. He was coached by George Young, a four-time Olympian. He also competed with the Southern Arizona Track Club to continue his athletic journey before becoming a high school teacher and coach. Because of his accomplishments he has received many prestigious awards as a former athlete, teacher, coach, and school administrator. He was also a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award in Utah, and was inducted into the National American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and Central Arizona Athletic Hall Fame, and has been honored by the Utah State Board of Education for his employment. He also sits on several state education committees and is an advocate for the American Indian populations in Utah. <Back

< Back Michael Thompson Michael Thompson Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Michael “Mike” Thompson is a member of the Mohawk Nation and has lived, played and coached in Akwesasne for most of his life. He is one of the most decorated indoor box lacrosse goaltenders to ever play the game of box lacrosse, yet is kind, giving and humble to the core. Thompson played field lacrosse in high school and was an effective and intimidating defenseman. He began playing box lacrosse goalie at the age of 20 while playing in the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse league for the Akwesasne Lightening. He was a natural and quickly made a name for himself as one of the top goaltenders of his generation. He first played professional box lacrosse for the Ottawa Rebels and later enjoyed a professional career with the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League where he won the NLL Championship in 2008. During the summers, Thompson played in the Ontario Major Series Lacrosse League, often called Senior A, with the Peterborough Lakes. He won two Mann Cup Canadian National Championships with the Lakers and was named MVP of the Championship series when they won in 2012. Winning a Mann Cup is considered the pinnacle of success in the lacrosse world and being awarded the Mike Kelley MVP trophy was one of the greatest honors of his life. Thompson also enjoyed success with the Iroquois Nationals Men’s Box Lacrosse team having competed three World Championships. Thompson retired from professional lacrosse in 2012 to focus on coaching his two sons who are also incredibly talented and dedicated lacrosse players. He currently resides in Akwesasne with his wife, two sons and his daughter. <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

< Back Levi Horn Levi Horn Northern Cheyenne Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Levi Horn is an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne and resides in Lame Deer, Montana. Horn attributes his work ethic to his mother Julia Horn that raised three children on her own. Childhood was hard as poverty and the past trauma of Native people were very noticeable around Levi. The on thing that kept Levi looking forward was the chance to play football. Horn remembers telling all of his friends when he was six years old that he would play in the NFL. Having this dream pushed him to commit to school in high school and stay out of trouble. In high school he earned all-conference and all-state honors in Washington at the tight-end position for a struggling school. This is were he caught the attention of local universities and committed to the University of Oregon. Horn redshirted at Oregon and transferred at the end of the year and admits that he wasn’t ready. Horn transferred to the University of Montana. Horn recalls seeing other Native Americans on campus and professors that helped his confidence on the academic side. His first year at Montana he saw substantial playing time due to injuries on the team and he knew that he could play at this level. Horn then started his junior year at left tackle and he was named All Big Sky Conference. In 2009, he was named Third Team All American Associated Press and The Sports Network, First Team All-American AFCA and received the University of Montana Paul Weskamp Award. Horn then signed his Undrafted Free Agent contract with the Chicago Bears on draft day. His first year he made the practice squad and the Bears went to the NFC Championship game. His second year Horn made the 53 man roster under offensive line coach Mike Tice. In 2011, he was honored as a member of the Top 40 under 40 with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Horn now works and coaches at his alma mater and visits reservations to speak about the importance of having a dream <Back

< Back Sydney Daniels Sydney Daniels Mistawasis Nêhiyawak Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Sydney Daniels is a proud member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation on Treaty 6 Territory. Daniels completed a four-year NCAA Division 1 ice hockey career at Harvard University where she obtained many accolades including ECAC Hockey All-Academic selection, Multiple ECAC Player of the Month, All-ECAC Hockey Team, All-Ivy League Team. Most importantly, Sydney was selected to captain the team her senior year. Daniels has also participated in multiple tournaments as a member of Team USA bringing home both a silver and gold medal in the IIHF World Championships at both the U-18 and U-22 levels. After her collegiate career, Daniels was drafted third overall in the NWHL to the New York Riveters. She played her first professional ice hockey season with the Boston Pride of NWHL. Daniels spent four seasons as an NCAA Division 1 Assistant Coach for Harvard University from 2018-2022. As a coach, she helped the team in winning the Ivy League, the ECAC regular season, and the Beanpot Championship. Most recently, Daniels was hired by the Winnipeg Jets as a member of the NHL scouting staff, with a specific focus on recruiting within the NCAA. She is the first female from Treaty 6 Territory to be an operations staff member of an NHL team. Daniels is passionate about finding ways to use her experiences to uplift Indigenous Youth. For the past six years, Daniels and her father, Scott Daniels, also a 2024 NAIAHF inductee and former NHL player, run the Daniels Hockey School, a multi-day youth hockey camp for Indigenous youth. Daniels Hockey focuses on creating safe and inclusive spaces for Indigenous Youth to feel safe, have fun, and develop their hockey skills. She hopes to continue to find ways to support and empower Indigenous youth to chase their dreams. <Back

< Back Jordin Tootoo Jordin Tootoo Inuit Induction Category: Year Inducted Atlete 2024 Jordin Tootoo made history as the first Inuk player to be drafted by the NHL. Over his 13-year career, he played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks, banking 161 points, including 65 goals, in 723 career games. A trailblazer both on and off the ice, Tootoo has since become a vocal mental health advocate dedicated to giving back to his communities. He speaks to the power of creating a culture of inspired inclusivity and explores what real teamwork looks like, both at home and work. Of Inuit and Ukrainian descent, Tootoo is not only the first Inuk NHL player, but also the first one raised in Nunavut. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003 and was drafted by the Nashville predators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Tootoo was nominated for the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2015, which recognizes players who enrich the lives of people in their community. He announced his retirement from the sport in 2018. As an Indigenous athletic leader, Tootoo has long understood his responsibility as a role model and speaks openly about the need to fight the stigma around mental illness and to provide more mental health support. He founded the Team Tootoo Foundation in honour of his late brother Terence, to provide grants to various charities for suicide prevention and at-risk youth. In 2016, Tootoo was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal through the Order of Canada in recognition of his work. Action Photo Credit: Jordin Tootoo #22 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena on February 19, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. Frederick Breedon/Getty Images <Back