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Earl Sargent Category Athlete Tribe Red Lake Band of Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/1/1955 - 8/4/2012 Earl excelled in high school sports for Bemidji High School, lettering in football, hockey and baseball. In 1973 he was pitcher for the Lumberjacks baseball team, he threw a no hitter first game of the tournament, and they then went on to win the State Tournament. His high school resume includes four trips to the state baseball tournament. Hockey was his first love, and after High School he pursued his hockey career. He signed with the Fargo/Moorhead Sugar Kings 1973-1975, where he was selected to play on the U.S. National Hockey team in Leningrad, Russia. He played one year each in the minor hockey leagues as a winger for the Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Albuquerque Chaparrals. He also played with teams in San Diego and Pennsylvania. Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Dale McCourt Dale McCourt Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 Dale McCourt played major junior in the Ontario Hockey Association (today's OHL). As a 15-year-old, he was already playing Tier II junior hockey when called up by the Sudbury Wolves for part of the 1972–73 OHA season. He joined the Hamilton Red Wings for the full 1973–74 OHA season, and was team captain by the time the renamed Hamilton Fincups won the 1975–76 OMJHL Championship and then the national 1976 Memorial Cup championship. In 1976–77, McCourt led the relocated St. Catharines Fincups as the team won the OMJHL Regular Season Championship. That season, he was awarded the Red Tilson Trophy as the league's Most Outstanding Player and was voted the nationwide CHL Player of the Year. Dale was also awarded the William Hanley Trophy as the OMJHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player in both 1975–76 and 1976–77. In the 1977 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, McCourt scored 18 points, a Canadian record he shares with Brayden Schenn and one point more than Eric Lindros and Wayne Gretzky. McCourt was drafted 1st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1977 NHL amateur draft. He successfully scored 33 goals in the first year with the team and was entitled to NHL rookie of the year with the Red Wings. McCourt was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in December 1981 and claimed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs in October 1983, finishing his NHL career at the end of the 1983–84 NHL season, with 478 points in 532 games played. McCourt then played for 8 seasons for HC Ambrì-Piotta, in the top Swiss league where his number 15 jersey is retired. His coaching career highlight includes representing Italy as an assistant coach with the Italian National Ice Hockey Team at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. <Back

< Back Greg Edgelow Greg Edgelow Cree Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Greg Edgelow is a retired Olympic freestyle wrestler born in Edmonton, Alberta and living in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Edgelow is a nationally certified Aboriginal Wrestling Coach with Cree Ancestral Heritage from Manitoba Canada and European mix. In 2018, Edgelow was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, Indigenous Gallery. Edgelow won at every level of wrestling. He was a juvenile, junior and six-time Canadian senior wrestling champion (7 Freestyle and 1 Greco) and 5 times top-10 placing at the world championships (fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth). He represented Canada at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain placing 11th and won a bronze medal at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, two bronze medals at the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba, a silver medal at the 1992 Pan American Championships, Toronto and a gold medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria. Edgelow is the only Canadian to win a medal in wrestling (bronze) at the Goodwill Games. He is also the only Canadian wrestler to win four separate consecutive senior freestyle weight classes (82 kg, 90 kg, 96 kg, 100 kg). His last senior national title was in 1998, where he represented Canada (100 Kg) at the World Championships in Tehran, Iran. He is a two-time NAIA All-American for Simon Fraser University, while placing #1 in Minot, ND at 177 lbs. in 1986. Edgelow was awarded the 1999 Canadian Sport Leadership Award for his outstanding athletic achievements and leadership in volunteerism, beating out fellow finalist, Hockey great Wayne Gretzky. Edgelow was the motivational speaker at the Parade of Nations for the 1997 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Victoria and member of Aboriginal Team BC Mission Staff at NAIG 2006 Denver and Assistant Chef de Mission, Team BC at NAIG 2008 Cowichan. He worked with the BC Boys U-16 Soccer team at the 2017 NAIG Toronto where they earned gold. Edgelow created an endowed wrestling scholarship fund at his Alma Mata, Simon Fraser University in 1996 that has financially assisted over 35 university wrestlers since its creation. Edgelow works in Indigenous relations at the corporate level providing economic development, jobs and training for Indigenous people and businesses. <Back

< Back Rebekah Howe Rebekah Howe Crow Creek Sioux Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 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

< 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

< Back Phil Fontaine Phil Fontaine Sagkeeng Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Phil Fontaine was born at Sagkeeng (formerly Fort Alexander) in Manitoba, where his first language was Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin). At the age of six, Phil and his siblings were forcibly removed from their family home and required to attend Fort Alexander Residential School, in accordance with Canadian government policy of the time. While at Fort Alexander Residential School, Phil learned to skate and began playing hockey with the Fort Alexander Braves. He played with the team until age fourteen, when he was transferred to Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg. Known as an exceptional and fast skater, Phil was selected to the Winnipeg City All-Star Team, playing for the Southern Division for two consecutive seasons. He was later invited to try out for the Fort Frances Royals of the Canadian Junior Hockey League and played with the team briefly. Alongside his athletic pursuits, Phil earned his high school diploma and later graduated with a university degree in political science. He married and raised two children, Mike and Maya. At age 27, Phil became the youngest Chief at Sagkeeng and went on to serve as Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Throughout his political career, Phil used his leadership to expose the systemic abuses endured by Indigenous children in residential schools. He is widely recognized for his pivotal role in negotiating the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which provided compensation to survivors and led to the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Despite the demands of public office, Phil remained deeply connected to hockey. He played with the Sagkeeng Old Timers, members of the Canadian Old Timers Hockey Association, competing internationally from 1982 to 1988. The team won World Cup titles in Munich (1983) and Montreal (1987), as well as the COHA National Cup in 1988, and was honoured by the Hockey Hall of Fame. Today, Phil serves as Special Advisor to Ishkonigan Inc., an Indigenous consulting firm he founded. He continues to follow hockey and enjoys travelling with his wife and spending time with his children and grandchildren. <Back

< Back Ron Larsen Ron Larsen Oneida Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Ron Larsen is a member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. He started running in 1978 at age 24 on the roads and streets of Oneida. In the early 1980's he ran marathons but after starting a family and a rehabilitation counseling firm it was recreationally. At age 50 in the early 2000's Ron started competing at the master then veteran masters (60+) level. Since 2003, Ron has participated in over 100 distance races. He has completed 65 road and trail marathons and half marathons; and events 10 to 35 miles. In addition, he has completed solo runs rim to rim at the Grand Canyon (3), Hilltop to Colorado River on the Havasupai reservation; and other events 4-12 hours duration, and track laps 100+. Highlights include certified marathon (26.2 mile) races that met the Boston Marathon qualifying standard in 27 of 28 attempts. He ran Boston Marathons in 2004, 2014, 2024 and will again in 2026. Ron has had 24 age group 1st place wins in road marathons and half marathons. At age 64, Ron was 1st overall at 3 of a Kind Half Marathon and at age 66 he was 3rd overall at the Golden Nights Half Marathon and 3rd place overall at the 2016 Valley of Fire Marathon in Nevada. Special races in Indian Country include the Paatuwaqatsi Water is Life 50k (1st place 60y) on the Hopi Reservation; Canyon De Chelly 55k (3rd 60y) Chinle Az; Navajo Code Talker 29k (1st age 60-65); Shiprock Marathon (1st 60-65). He ran trail marathons 2009-10 in Death Valley; (1st and 2nd place at 55y/o age group) and in 2022 at the Oneida New York Homelands, Great New York State Marathon (1st age group 65). Since age 70 in 2023, Ron has run four marathons; Boston, Mesa, Las Vegas and Green Bay and six half marathons; winning his age group in eight of 10 races. He credits success to a natural holistic diet, training more not less, having a strong heart, mind and spirit. He plans to continue running and to inspire others that running is a life time sport and with dedication to a healthy life and training one can achieve many goals as a senior athlete. Photo: Marathon Foto <Back

< Back Ross Anderson Ross Anderson Cheyenne and Arapaho Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 How did an adopted, full blooded Native American son become one of the most successful speed skiers in the world? The Native American alpine speed skier and racer with the fastest time in the Western Hemisphere did it through hard work, desire, perseverance and a ton of ability. Growing up in the mountains of Durango, CO Ross Anderson has held the record for the fastest American ever on skis. His 154.06 miles per hour (247.930KPH) was achieved in 2006. Born in New Mexico, Ross was adopted into an Anglo-American family. At three years old, Ross began learning the winter sport that put him into the history books. He was a six time national champion, and a member of the US Speed Skiing Team. Ross’ rise was a solitary one as the only competitor of color on this intensely competitive circuit. Not only did Ross set records becoming one of the top competitors in the world, including number two in 20O1 and number three in 2005, but he also understood the need to give back to this sport and all the youngsters who consider Ross their role model. The desire to give back is understandable considering that no Native American has ever come close to achieving the international stature that Ross has consistently earned while setting the highest standards in a remarkable career. In 2022 Ross was the featured athlete in a national television commercial produced by the New Mexico Travel Bureau that was released November 1, 2022. His unparalleled accomplishments continue to radiate hope for literally thousands of inspired youths, especially those of color who see that their dreams of standing atop a podium one day truly can come true. <Back

< Back Ryneldi Becenti Ryneldi Becenti Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Ryneldi Becenti is Navajo from the Navajo Reservation. She has been playing basketball since she was five years old. She always had the passion, love, determination and commitment to be the best. She played collegiate and professional basketball and is retired now to continue to give back to the youth. Becenti played basketball at Window Rock High School (AZ) and Scottsdale Community College (AZ) where she was a two-time NJCAA All American. She was a two-time first team All Pac 10 and honorable mention All American at Arizona State University before she turned pro after two seasons. In 1983 she played in Sweden and also played in Greece and Turkey. In 1997 she played for the Phoenix Mercury and also was drafted with the Chicago Condor in 1998. Becenti was also a bronze medalist at the 1983 World University Games. Her induction into the NAIAHF follows five other Hall of Fames she is in including the American Indian Athletic HOF (1996), Arizona State HOF (2004), Arizona High School HOF (2009), Scottsdale Community College HOF (2011), and National Native American HOF (2022). Her Arizona State University #21 was retired on 12-21-2013. <Back

< Back Michael Linklater Michael Linklater Cree from Thunderchild First Nation Treaty 6 Territory Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Michael Linklater has established himself as one of the world’s top 3X3 basketball players. As team captain he represented Saskatoon in FIBA’s 3X3 World Tour as well as the Canadian National team at the World Cup. Linklater picked up a basketball at an early age on an inner city court and in 2010, he made history as team captain when he lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s basketball team to its first and only Canada-West Conference Championship and CIS National Championship. Michael played for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019 in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and won the league championship during the inaugural season. Michael was inducted into the Saskatoon sports hall of fame in 2022. Michael has utilized his wealth of athletic accomplishments to help create awareness about issues, off the court. He is a proud Nehiyāw (Cree) descending from the Thunderchild First Nation, located in Treaty 6 Territory. Linklater is the founder of the International Campaigm, “Boys with Braids.“ He has won numerous awards as an advocate for Indigenous youth and for his community involvement. Over the past two and half decades, Michael has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses to tens of thousands of youth and adults across the world. He is also a certified Yoga instructor and incorporates his traditional spirituality into each practice. Most importantly, Michael is a proud father who understands the significance of his cultural traditions and role modelling a healthy lifestyle to his children. <Back

< Back Jim Caldwell Jim Caldwell Menominee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Jim Caldwell won a gold medal at the 1961 National AAU boxing finals in the 139 lbs. division in Pocatello, ID. He joined the U.S. team on a European tour to compete against outstanding amateur boxers. He boxed in England, Ireland, and Scotland. At age 21 he compiled a 32-6 amateur record against top national competition. He won four straight district Golden Gloves championships on the state level. He participated in the national Golden Gloves finals for three years and was a silver medalist in 1961. Caldwell began boxing at aged 17 for the Menominee Boxing Club under the tutelage of 2026 NAIAHF inductee Alex Askenette Sr. He was named outstanding novice boxer at the 1958 Fond du Lac (WI) district Golden Gloves, outstanding fighter at the 1960 Rockford (IL) tournament, and named winner of the Barney Rose sportsmanship trophy at the 1961 national Golden Gloves tournament. <Back

< Back Carol L. (Pickett) Hull Carol L. (Pickett) Hull Inupiaq Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 An Alaska Native Games icon from Alaska, Carol Pickett won the 1989 Denali Award as Alaska’s Sportsperson of the Year. Even as a teenager she proved to be a natural with jaw-dropping kicks that reached 7 feet, pushing the women’s records to new heights. She still holds the world record in the traditional one-foot high kick, set in 1990. Born and raised in Anchorage, AK, Carol began participating in traditional Native sports in 1979. Since then, Carol has competed successfully in the Native Youth Olympics, World Eskimo Indian Olympics and Arctic Winter Games – Inuit Sports. For 30 plus years of participating in traditional Native sports, Carol has won over 100 medals to her collection as well as the 1989 Alaska State Sportsperson of the Year, Outstanding Contributor Award from World Eskimo Indian Olympics and various other recognitions. Married to fellow Alaska Native Games icon Garry Hull, Carol continues to support traditional Native games events by volunteering, coaching, organizing and officiating events. <Back