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Ernie St. Germaine Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back Ernie St. Germaine has been an athlete most of his life. Born in 1948 to Frank and Saxon (Benjamin) St. Germaine. He is enrolled in the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Tribe. He lettered in three sports in high school and went on to play college baseball at UW Eau Claire. He continued playing baseball for teams including the Eau Claire Merchants, Exeland Braves and Dillworth A’s. He coached high school baseball and summer leagues and high school golf. St. Germaine organized and led youth organizations and summer camps including Great Lakes Anishinaabe Youth Leadership Institute and Great Lakes Running Strong for American Indian Youth supported by Billy Mills and Christian Relief Service. He also led the Summer Survival Camp for high school youth with UW-La Crosse for nearly 10 years. St. Germaine has organized and run several Run Series including the 2023 Bimibaatoo Ziigwan (Spring Run) Series at Lac Courte Oreilles together with the American Birkebeiner Foundation. The six week event averaged over 75 participants with over 400 total participants. St. Germaine considers his most notable accomplishment as being the last surviving Founder of the American Birkebeiner Ski Race that takes place in February each year. The American Birkebeiner (Birkie) is a race founded by Tony Wise of Hayward in 1973. The event is a 55 Kilometer (over 34 miles) marathon Nordic Ski Race. St. Germaine started and finished that first race though never having been on Nordic skis before that day. And though he swore never ever to do anything so foolish again, he was there at the start line in the second year, the third, fourth…in fact, he has skied every American Birkebeiner since that first race and will ski his 50th race in February 2024 never having missed one. The event was canceled in 2000 and 2017 due to lack of snow. Of the original 11 Founders who skied each of the first 10 events, St. Germaine is the last surviving Founder. He continues to train daily on his bike and trail hiking in warm months and skiing during the winter ski season.

< Back Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Cree First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jonathan Cheechoo is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation located at the southern end of James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. Jonathan first played hockey at the age of four years old but only began playing organized hockey at 14 years old when he played AAA Bantam in Timmins, Ontario. From there Jonathan continued to excel through Midget AAA in Kapuskasing, Ontario to Jr. B with the Kitchener Dutchmen. He caught the eye of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and was drafted 5th overall in 1997 by the Belleville Bulls. Jonathan played with the Bulls for three years and increased his scoring totals each year with 76 points, 82 points, and 92 points respectively. In 1999, Jonathan led the Bulls to the OHL title and scored 5 goals in the deciding game 7 to help his team clinch the championship. Jonathan’s success in the OHL caught the attention of National Hockey League (NHL) teams. In 1998, Jonathan was drafted 29th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Prior to breaking into the NHL, he played in the American Hockey League (AHL). While in the AHL, Jonathan continued to show his natural talent around the net leading to being called up to the NHL’s Sharks in the 2002-03 season, where he remained for seven seasons. In 2005-06, Jonathan scored 56 goals and won the Maurice Richard trophy, which is awarded to the player with the most goals in a season. Jonathan joined the Ottawa Senators for one season in 2009-10 and finished his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he played for four seasons. Jonathan achieved the unique feat of being selected to participate in the All-Star Game of every league in which he has played, including the AHL, NHL and KHL. Jonathan announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2018. Proud of his roots and Cree heritage, he has maintained strong ties to his home community. Jonathan credits much of his success to the support of his community and supportive, loving family. Jonathan enjoys leading hockey camps in his hometown and speaks to Indigenous youth about the importance of pursuing their dreams. photo credit: San Jose Sharks <Back

Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Team 2025 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Team made history in 2024, earning their place as trailblazers in international lacrosse. Competing at the 2024 World Lacrosse Championship in Utica, New York, the team clinched a historic bronze medal—the first-ever international championship medal awarded to the Haudenosaunee women in lacrosse. The Haudenosaunee women showcased extraordinary skill, resilience, and unity throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding 21-4 victory over Team Australia in the bronze medal game. This landmark achievement not only brought pride to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island but also underscored the Haudenosaunee’s cultural and spiritual connection to lacrosse, known as the Creator’s Game. Comprised of athletes from Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous Nations, the team reflected the strength of community, tradition, and perseverance. Team members included: Akwesasne Mohawk Territory Jillian Benedict, Jadie Burns, Trysten Burns, Kharlene "Bineh" Garrow, Tallis Tarbell and Kyra Thompson Fort Albany First Nation Mekwan Tulpin Kanesatake First Nation Ava Gabriel Oneida Nation of the Thames Jada Doxtator Seneca Nation Lindsay John Six Nations of the Grand River Timmia Bomberry, Chelsea Doolittle, Chelsea Gibson, Amalee Jacobs, Kenley Jacobs, Chelsie John, Trisha John, Fawn Porter, Stacy Smith, Alisha Smith-Longboat, Joni Squire-Hill and Carey-Leigh Vyse Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Kendall Tabobandung Walpole Island First Nation Ferrah Blackbird Wikwemikong Unceded Territory Mackenzie Shigwadja and Reese Shigwadja Team Staff Head Coach, Jason Johnson, Onondaga Assistant Coach, Randy Chrysler, Tuscarora Assistant Coach, Cheyenne Lazore, Akwesasne Mohawk Assistant Coach, Mary James, Métis Assistant Coach / Video Analyst, Matt Attwood, Six Nations of the Grand River Trainer / Dietician, Paul Staats, Six Nations of the Grand River Player Liaison, Karissa John, Six Nations of the Grand River General Manager, Jeff Powless, Akwesasne Mohawk Their triumph exemplifies the power of Indigenous women in sports and serves as an enduring testament to the Haudenosaunee’s deep-rooted lacrosse legacy. By earning a place on the international podium, these women broke barriers, inspired future generations, and strengthened the path toward greater recognition of Indigenous athletes on the world stage. The 2024 bronze medal not only marked a pivotal moment in lacrosse history but also symbolized the enduring sovereignty and resilience of the Haudenosaunee people.

< Back Lindy Waters III Lindy Waters III Kiowa/Cherokee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Lindy Waters III is a Native American professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association. He was born in Boulder, Colorado to Lisa and Lindy Waters, Jr. At age four, Lindy, his parents and his three sisters, Leana, Loren and Lindsey, moved to Norman, Oklahoma where he attended school and played several sports, including basketball, baseball, and football. After graduating from high school, Lindy was offered multiple college basketball scholarships. He attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he started in over 100 games and finished his college basketball career with over 1,000 points, 250 assists and 100 steals. Lindy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management. He is a citizen of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation. In 2018, Lindy was named “Indian of the Year” by the American Indian Exposition, one of the nation’s oldest and largest intertribal celebrations. In 2022, he founded the Lindy Waters III Foundation whose mission is to enhance and support Native American youth and Indigenous communities through sports, health and wellness, and leadership programs. The foundation is committed to providing a platform for individual improvement, opportunity, exposure and access for all Native youth. Action shot photo credit: Getty Images Profile photo credit: Loren Waters, Waters Media <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

< Back Brandon Montour Brandon Montour Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Brandon Montour's NHL career reached new heights after he was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Buffalo Sabres on April 10, 2021, for a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. He had 37 points and an NHL-best 73 his first two seasons with the Panthers, respectively, and finished the 2023 Eastern Conference First Round with five goals, the most by a defenseman in a single series since Ed Jovanovski for the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals. He opened the scoring in Game 7 and tied it with one minute left in the third period to help the Panthers defeat the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime. Montour scored eight goals in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs to lead defensemen. He became the ninth at the position to score at least that many in a single playoff year, with Brian Leetch (11 for the New York Rangers in 1994), Victor Hedman (10 for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020) and Cale Makar (eight for the Colorado Avalanche in 2022) the only ones with as many since the beginning of the 1990s. He became the second Stanley Cup winner of Indigenous descent in as many years, following Zach Whitecloud for the 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights, when he helped the Panthers defeat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. That earned him a seven-year, $50 million contract (average annual value of $7.14 million) he signed with the Seattle Kraken on July 1, 2024. Montour's goal four seconds into overtime to give the Kraken a 5-4 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Climate Pledge Arena on March 12, 2025, matched the NHL record for the fastest goal to start any period, previously accomplished by Montreal's Claude Provost (Nov. 9, 1957), Denis Savard of the Chicago Blackhawks (Jan. 12, 1986) and James van Riemsdyk of the Toronto Maple Leafs (March 28, 2014). The Anaheim Ducks selected Montour, an offensive-minded defenseman, in the second round (No. 55) of the 2014 NHL Draft after he had 62 points (14 goals, 48 assists) in 60 games with Waterloo of the United States Hockey League. NOTES & TRANSACTIONS • USHL First All-Star Team (2014) • USHL Player of the Year (2014) • Hockey East All-Rookie Team (2015) • AHL All-Rookie Team (2016) • AHL First All-Star Team (2016) Full Seattle Kraken Bio: https://www.nhl.com/kraken/player/brandon-montour-8477986 <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 Carey-Leigh Vyse Carey-Leigh Vyse Cayuga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Carey-Leigh Vyse is a member of the Cayuga Nation and the Deer Clan. She was born and raised on the Six Nations Reservation. She is a mother of three children, including Lyla-Shae, Lahnee-Leigh and Macqoy Vyse. She is married to Danny Vyse, who is an achieved lacrosse player. She is an elementary school teacher on her reservation. Vyse played softball on the infield for Team Canada from 2011-2017 including one year on the Jr. National team and six years on the Sr. National team. She studied, played and started as the third baseman at NCAA D1 Syracuse University. Vyse was on teams that were the Canadian National Champions in 2006, 2008, and 2011. She won the All-Star Short Stop Award at Canadian Nationals three times in the same years. Her Brantford Bobcats Team was inducted into the Ontario Softball Hall of Fame. Vyse competed in the 2012 World Championships held in Whitehorse, Yukon where they placed fourth. She took a year off in 2013 to have her daughter. She made a comeback the very next year, and became the first mother to be named to the Sr. Team. Her team placed fourth in the 2014 World Championships held in Netherlands, Amsterdam. In 2016 her team placed third at the World Championships held in Surrey, BC. She played six years total for the Canadian Women’s National Team and competed in three World Championships and one Pan American Qualifier. From 2016 to the present, she has competed in the Native Canadian Championships where she has played for Red Nation and in most recent years, has played for Six Nations E.C.M (Every Child Matters) and has won Native Canadian Championships with both teams. She won the All- Star Infield Award each year from 2016-2024. She has played in the All-Ontario’s Native Fast-pitch Championships as well since she was 16 where she and her Six Nations teams has earned championship titles. Vyse made the final roster for Team Haudenosaunee and earned a bronze medal at the first 2024 Women’s World Box Lacrosse Championships in Utica, NY. <Back

< Back Aloysius “Al” Waquie Aloysius “Al” Waquie Walatowa Pueblo of Jemez Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Al Waquie is known as “King of the Mountains,” one of the best of America’s high-country runners. His Indigenous name is Sho-Nee-Toe, the name of his father’s favorite hunting ground. Al ran as a way of gaining harmony with the land and environment, an ideal that is the spiritual foundation of his tribe’s culture. Al is quoted saying, “My grandfather always told me, ‘Whenever there is a big crowd, just stay away. Be on your own.’" He nearly always ran alone, often heading into the mountains and not emerging for five days. Al lives at 6,000ft elevation and would regularly run at Redondo Peak which sits at over 11,000ft elevation. In 1971 Al was a Cross Country All American at Haskell Jr. College. He was an eight time winner and record holder of the La Luz Trail Run at Sandia Peak near Albuqerque, NM. The grueling La Luz Trail Run is a nine-mile climb up a 12% grade to the top of 10,678-foot Sandia Crest. He was the five time winner of the Empire State Building Run. He negotiated the 86-story, 1,050-foot climb by taking the 1,575 steps two at a time until he reached the finish line on the observation deck and beating his opponents to the top by 26 seconds. Al dominated the 80’s and is currently tied for the second-most men’s victories, winning 5 consecutive times between 1983 and 1987. Al was a two-time winner of Pikes Peak Marathon and record holder; his record is at 3:26:17, a numbing 28-mile trek to the summit of the 14,110-foot mountain and then back down. Other accomplishments was being named the AAU Athlete of Month – August, 1978 and received the Sports Illustrated Merit Award – 1980 and Popay Tricentennial Award – 1980. He was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also featured article in Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times along with numerous other publications. Each time Waquie won a race or conquered the skyscraper, it has been a reaffirmation that, for him, the Indian way is better than modern life. “Running is a religion with my people. It is part of our century-old spiritual ceremonial. It is part of my soul, my reason for being,” Al said in a previous interview. <Back

< Back Danny Hodgson Danny Hodgson Cree Metis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Danny Hodgson was born in Fort Vermilion, AB. and grew up playing minor hockey in Fort McMurray, AB. In 1980-81, at the age of 15, Hodgson began playing junior hockey with the Cowichan Flyers of the BCJHL. After two seasons, he joined the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and was named the WHL Rookie of the Year in 1982-83. The next season, Hodgson finished second in league scoring with 181 points and followed it up with 182 points in 1984-85-while breaking Bobby Clarke’s WHL all-time record for assists. In 1984-85, Hodgson won the Ed Chynoweth Cup with Prince Albert as league champions and then the 1985 Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Champions. He was named the 1984-85 CHL Player of the Year and 1985 Memorial Cup MVP as he set a Memorial Cup record with 13 assists. Hodgson represented Canada two times at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, placing fourth in 1984 and winning gold in 1985 as Team Captain. He continued to win major awards in 1985, as he was named the Canadian Amateur Sportsman of the Year. In 2016, he was named the 27th greatest player of all-time in WHL history. Hodgson was drafted 83rd overall in the fifth round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs and spent four seasons in the NHL from 1985 to 1989 playing a total of 114 games for Toronto and Vancouver Canucks. He scored 29 goals and added 45 assists for 74 points over his NHL career and had a career-high of 5 points (1g, 4a) in one game during the 1987-88 season versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hodgson played professionally in Europe for 17 more seasons as he played in Austria, Eishockey-Bundesliga (Germany), and the Swiss-A League. While in the Swiss-A league, he won back-to-back titles with the ZSC Lions in 2000 and 2001. As a professional in Europe, Hodgson represented Canada twice at the Spengler Cup, winning the championship 2001, and would play in six more with his club teams Hedos Muchen (1), and HC Davos (5). <Back

Craig Berube <Back Cree Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2022 Craig Berube is the head coach of the National Hockey Leagues (NHL) St. Louis Blues. Since taking over the team during the 2018-19 season, the team was in last place and then led the team to a 38-19-6 record. One of the biggest turnarounds in NHL history occurred and the St. Louis Blues finished as the first in franchise history the winners of the Stanley Cup. He originally joined the Blues as an associate head coach in 2017. Before joining the Blues, he served as the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves. He played 17 seasons in the NHL in over 1000 games between 1986-2004 for the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders.

Ryan Salmon Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back Ryan Salmon's journey in the world of volleyball began on the beaches of Southern California, where he first discovered his deep passion for the sport. Starting from those humble beginnings, he embarked on an impressive collegiate career, representing UNLV and Kendall College. It was during his time at Kendall College that his commitment to both academics and athletics flourished, earning him recognition as an All-American athlete, and playing a pivotal role in his college team's successes on the volleyball court. Following his graduation, Salmon's devotion to volleyball led him to explore the world as he pursued a professional career in the sport. The California beach culture, which initially ignited his passion, remained the driving force behind his remarkable journey and continued to inspire his dedication to the game. Beyond his achievements in volleyball, Salmon, alongside his wife, Nicole, holds the significant role of Directors at the Minnesota Juniors Volleyball Club. In this capacity, he leverages his extensive knowledge and experience to nurture young talent, providing aspiring athletes with the opportunities and guidance needed to reach their full potential. Through his leadership, Salmon plays a crucial role in shaping the future of volleyball in Minnesota. Furthermore, Salmon's contributions extend beyond the volleyball court. He serves as the Tribal Liaison for the White Earth Nation, a role of great importance. In this capacity, he forges connections between the tribe and external organizations, working tirelessly to preserve the heritage, traditions, and values of the White Earth Nation. His unwavering dedication to his community's well-being has a profound and far-reaching impact.