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< 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

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

Thomas Gardipy Jr. Beardy’s and Okemasis’ Cree Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Trainer 2023 <Back Thomas Gardipy Jr. is a 4th generation Cree thoroughbred horse trainer. Tom is a very well known trainer across North America. His stats include 4851 lifetime starts with an impressive 872 wins, 847 seconds and 721 thirds, with a total earnings of $4,925,535.00. Throughout his career, Tom has amassed a number of awards, including the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Top Trainer award from Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In 2003, he received the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Circle of Honor Award for Sports Athlete Professional. Tom has accumulated a remarkable 6 Top Trainer awards from Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In the 19 years training at Assiniboia Downs, Tom always ranked in the top 3 trainers. Tom attributes his success to his wife of 39 years, Cheryl. When she is not taking the grandchildren to visit their Moshum (grandfather) in Winnipeg, she is maintaining the family farm in Beardy’s Cree Nation. In addition, his sons and daughter all assist and play a role in the day-to-day work training and caring for thoroughbred racehorses. Tom believes in helping and giving back to the community that has always supported him. Throughout his years training, he has employed many Indigenous youth and given them the opportunity to learn about the horse racing industry. Tom firmly believes in the healing ability that horses have. Over the years, he has witnessed and experienced it first hand, with his family and employees. He is often heard saying, “take care of your horses, and they will take care of you”. Black Diamond Stables, which was named after Tom’s great grandfathers horse “Black Diamond” is a family centered business. His hope is to have his children and grandchildren carry on the legacy that began over a century ago and maintain the cultural connection between horseman and horse.

< Back David Powless David Powless Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 David Powless’ high school football team was the undefeated Illinois State Champions of 1960. He was an All State offensive tackle. He received college football scholarship offers. He chose the Oklahoma University (OU). He left OU as a sophomore and went to the University of Illinois and played offensive guard on the University of Illinois Big 10 and Rose Bowl Championship team in 1964. In 1965 as a graduating senior he was drafted in the National Football League (NFL) by the New York Giants and also by the American Football League (AFL) by the Kansas Chiefs. He was with the New York Giants one year and then went to the Washington Redskins his second year. That year he had a spinal injury requiring surgery that ended his football career. Powless worked for Native American tribes including his Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. He also owned several personal businesses. His expertise was in economic development. In 1983 he received an award in the “White House Rose Garden” from Vice President of the United States George Bush for the development of recycling technology. In 2008 he was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame for his athletic contributions. <Back

Marty Ward Onondaga Nation, Snipe Clan Induction Category: Year Inducted Trainer 2026 <Back Marty Ward’s legacy is defined by a lifetime of service, excellence, and unwavering dedication to athletes at every level of competition. A proud member of the Onondaga Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Marty was a trailblazer whose impact on hockey and lacrosse extended from local fields in Syracuse to the international stage. Over the course of nearly five decades, Marty earned a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected athletic trainers in the game. His professional career began in 1974 with the Syracuse Stingers of the National Lacrosse League. He went on to serve as head trainer for the Philadelphia Firebirds (1975–1979), the Syracuse Firebirds (1980–1982), and the Erie Golden Blades during the 1982–1983 season, demonstrating unmatched commitment and expertise in professional hockey. Equally profound was Marty’s devotion to his hometown. From 1979 through 2012, he served as the football and lacrosse trainer at Corcoran High School in Syracuse, New York, where generations of student-athletes benefited from his care, mentorship, and guidance. For more than three decades, Marty was a constant presence on the sidelines—teaching young athletes the importance of discipline, resilience, and respect, while ensuring their safety and well-being. His influence at Corcoran extended far beyond wins and losses, shaping lives and setting standards that endure to this day. Marty’s contributions to lacrosse are among the most distinguished in the sport. From 2006 to 2021, he served as a trainer for the OAC Redhawks Senior B Lacrosse Team, helping guide the organization to multiple championships. Under his care, the Redhawks captured CAN-AM Championships in 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018, as well as President’s Cup Championships in 2010 and 2014. On the international stage, Marty proudly served as head trainer for the Iroquois Nationals Men’s Field Lacrosse Team from 2006 to 2014. His work with the Nationals culminated in a historic Bronze Medal finish at the 2014 World Lacrosse Championship, a moment that brought pride to the team and to the Haudenosaunee people worldwide. Throughout his career, Marty Ward exemplified humility, professionalism, and cultural pride. He was more than a trainer—he was a mentor, healer, and steady presence who earned the trust of athletes from youth leagues to world championships. His dedication left an indelible mark on every program he touched. Marty Ward passed away in 2022, but his legacy lives on in the countless athletes he protected, inspired, and uplifted. His lifelong commitment to sport, community, and culture makes him forever deserving of recognition and remembrance as a true Hall of Fame figure.

< Back Duane “Dewey” Jacobs Duane “Dewey” Jacobs Cayuga, Wolf Clan Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2026 Duane ”Dewey” Jacobs was one of the Indigenous pioneers in the NLL and perhaps at all levels of lacrosse that he competed in. He is still one of the few NLL Indigenous offensive players to reach 400 points. Like many young boys Dewey began playing lacrosse as a five-year-old on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory with the Six Nations Minor Lacrosse Association. As he aged he competed at a continually developing level toward being elite. During the 1988-89 season he played with the Owen Sound North Stars in the Ontario Senior B Lacrosse Association. He was named the League Rookie of the Year and was a member of the 1989 President’s Cup national championship team. In 1991-92 he played for the North Shore Indians in the West Coast Senior B League and was named the League MVP. One of the highlights in his aspiring career was playing for the Six Nations Chiefs. The Chiefs were three-peat Sr. A Mann Cup national champions between 1994-1996. Duane’s professional team career began in 1993 in the MILL/NLL with the Detroit Turbos. Beginning in 1995 he would play for the Rochester Knighthawks for eight seasons. The Knighthawks were NLL champions in 1997. During his time in Rochester the team made four championship final appearances. In 2003 he began an 11-season tenure with the Buffalo Bandits. Each season the team qualified for the playoffs. He was named to the Second Team All-Pro for four consecutive seasons from 1997-2000. During his final season of summer box lacrosse in 2003, he was on the Kitchener Kodiaks President’s Cup national championship team. He was also a part of the Iroquois Nationals World Box Lacrosse silver medalists. At the end of his playing days Dewey was a five-time national champion and one-time professional champion. He then pursued his passion to be coach of the next generations. Jacobs was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Bandits from 2004-2006, as well as 2010, and he was the head coach of the Minnesota Swarm from 2007-2009. As the Swarm’s head coach, his team had a record of 25-23. In both 2007 and 2008, Jacobs coached the Swarm to back-to-back playoff appearances. He was the Director of Player Development for the Rochester Knighthawks for two seasons between 2017 and 2019. He was the Iroquois Nationals head box lacrosse coach that earned silver medals in the 2007 and 2011 seasons. Dewey was inducted into the Rochester Knighthawks inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2009, the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame player category in 2016, and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in the player category in 2019. <Back

< Back Jerry Louie-McGee Jerry Louie-McGee Coeur d’Alene Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Jerry Louie-McGee’s high school career started in the city of Coeur d’Alene in Idaho at Lake City High School. He was named to the 2014 American Family Insurance All-USA Idaho Football Team after his senior season, was a 5-A All Idaho Selection, rushed for 757 yards and seven touchdowns and caught passes for 1104 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He was named Inland Empire League MVP as a senior, and won a 2014 Idaho Class 5A State Track Championship as a junior in the 400 meters. Louie-McGee was an All Conference receiver and special team’s returner three years, Team Offensive Player of the Year his junior year and MVP senior year. Louie-McGee committed to the University of Montana Grizzlies in his senior year and redshirted in 2015. During the 2016 season, he was named a finalist for the Stats FCS Jerry Rice Award for the nation’s top freshman athlete. He was also named All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver and punt returner. Louie-McGee broke the school and Big Sky record for receptions in a game (21), broke the school record for average receptions in a game with 9.1 and averaged 19.2 yards per punt return, had 981 all-purpose yards and a 122.6 total yards per game. His sophomore year he was named All Big Sky Honorable Mention as a wide receiver and return specialist, led the team with 50 receptions with 1000 all-purpose yards. During his junior season he was named All Big Sky punt returner, and All Big Sky Honorable Mention receiver. During his senior season he was named Root Sports Big Sky Special Team Player of the Week twice, Stats FCS National Special Teams Honorable Mention, and HERO Sports FCS All American punt returner and First Team Big Sky Conference punt returner. Louie-McGee has the school record for most receptions in a career with 237. After receiving his degree in psychology, Louie-McGee has been the Behavioral Health Case Manager for his tribe in Idaho and assists people through difficult times with their mental health and healing from intergenerational and current trauma. Louie-McGee’s dad Wade was also inducted into the NAIAHF class of 2024. <Back

< Back Teton Saltes Teton Saltes Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Teton Saltes is a remarkable individual whose list of accomplishments is nothing short of extraordinary, all achieved by the age of 25. He stands as a symbol of unwavering dedication and the potential for change and impact at a remarkably young age. During his college football career, Saltes earned two Mountain West All-Conference honorable mentions and was twice honored as a Mountain West All-Academic. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only college football major award winner in University of New Mexico history as the recipient of the prestigious Wuerffel Trophy. His four-year stint as a starting offensive lineman for the University of New Mexico football team showcases his exceptional athletic abilities and cemented his legacy as one of the best offensive lineman to ever play at UNM. In 2021, Saltes joined the NFL and was a member of the New York Jets. He played in the USFL in 2022 for the Michigan Panthers and secured a championship in the XFL in 2023 with the Arlington Renegades. Beyond his sporting achievements, Saltes's advocacy efforts are equally noteworthy. He addressed the United States Congress and testified before the New Mexico state legislature, passionately advocating for mental health support for student-athletes. His role as a board member in the BEAR Project in Pine Ridge, SD, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to community betterment. Saltes's academic accomplishments are as impressive as his athletic and advocacy feats. He graduated with a degree in political science and entered into a master of law graduate program, with intentions to eventually receive his Juris Doctorate. Saltes' legacy is a testament to the incredible impact an individual can have with determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their goals. <Back

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Awehiyo Thomas Category Athlete Tribe Cayuga Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 5/9/1986 Awehiyo Thomas (Beautiful Flower) is Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She played competitive lacrosse on the international, NCAA DI and professional stage, with many Player of the Game awards. Awehiyo first started playing lacrosse in 1998 for Six Nations Girls Field Lacrosse, and later traveled to Cattaraugus, NY playing many years with the Seneca Girls Lacrosse Club under Sandy Jemison. In 2003, she had her first international experience with U-19 Team Canada, finishing third and being named the third-leading scorer on the squad. Awehiyo was a walk-on starter at Syracuse University, who transferred from Canisius College in her junior year. She started all 21 games and helped the team to its first NCAA Final Four in 2008 - as a senior she started all 19 games and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness. Awehiyo was a proud member of the Haudenosaunee National Women’s Lacrosse (HNWL) Team for many years, competing on the world stage in 2009, 2013 and 2017. In 2018, she was the first Haudenosaunee woman to play professional lacrosse with the Baltimore Ride in the UWLX league. Most recently, she was a member of the HNWL Sr. Team which placed first at the Pan American Lacrosse Association in 2019. As a veteran lacrosse player of 24 years and mother of four, soon to be mother of five, she continues to be a role model for many Indigenous girls coming up. She comes from a long line of great lacrosse players in her family including Grandfather Ivan Thomas, the 1997 Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee and great-grandfather Joseph Logan Jr., maker of the “Logan Special” lacrosse stick. To this day, Awehiyo’s lacrosse display at Woodland Cultural Center in Brantford, Ontario continues to be up for the public to view. Photos: Reems Landreth and Awehiyo Thomas Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Roger Vyse Roger Vyse Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Roger Vyse is Mohawk, and member of the turtle clan from Six Nations, Ontario Canada. Growing up on the Six Nations reserve, lacrosse was the dominant sport especially in Vyse's family. Vyse played lacrosse for over 30 years starting at the age of four years old until he retired at the age of 36. Along the way Vyse was a long-standing member of the Iroquois Nationals box and field lacrosse teams starting in 1999 with the under 19 bronze medalists in Adalaide, Australia. Vyse attended Herkimer Community College where he started on attack and was a 2x All American. In his second and final season at Herkimer in 2003, Vyse and his teammates won the NJCAA championship going 18-0 on the season. Vyse played lacrosse at Limestone College Division II. Limestone would make the Division II finals both seasons (2004, 2005) but come up short losing both games in overtime. In Vyse's final season at Limestone, he broke the Division’s 34-year-old goals per season record by one goal (71). He led the team in goals and tied for most assist (71 goals, 29 assists = 100 points) in his final season of college lacrosse. Vyse would be drafted into the National Lacrosse League 13th overall in 2006 by the Buffalo Bandits. Vyse would help the team win the NLL title in 2008. He played six seasons with the Bandits and was nominated to play in the All Star game in 2009. He also played a season in Toronto and Philadelphia to end his NLL career. In the summer's he played for the SR A Six Nations Chiefs during 2002-2016 and also the Sr B Six Nations Rivermen during 2015-2017. While playing for the Chiefs, Vyse and his teammates won the Mann Cup (Canadian Box Lacrosse Championship) three times in ‘13, ‘14 and ‘16. In the same time period in 2015, Vyse helped the Six Nations Rivermen win their first Presidents Cup (Canadian National Title) and was selected to the 1st All Star team as well as being tournament MVP. Vyse still resides from his hometown of Six Nations with his wife and four children with one on the way this summer. Vyse is a Student Mentor at Ogwehoweh Skills and Trade training Center which is also located on the Six Nations of the Grand River. <Back

Honoring and recognizing the empowered journey of North American Indigenous athletes. 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 2026 North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Saturday, May 30th 2026 Oneida, WI USA Learn More Athletes Coaches Builders Teams Media Officials Trainers Inductee Search