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Athena Aitken <Back Anishinaabe/Hocąk Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2024 Athena Aitken was born and raised in Northern Minnesota and is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. In her high school years she was a tri-sport athlete competing at varsity level in volleyball, track and field, and golf. At age 16 during a Student Ambassador trip to New Zealand and Australia, Aitken fell in love with the sport of rugby and decided to play in college. Beginning her rugby career at Colorado State University, she played as a utility forward for two seasons before transferring to a university closer to home. Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) had a thriving women's club rugby team where Athena played as a tight-five forward for four years. In 2012 after graduating from MSUM with a Bachelors in Anthropology, Aitken wanted to stay involved with rugby since most collegiate clubs at the time were player-led and coached. She took the USA Rugby coaching certification and became a volunteer coach for MSUM Women's Rugby. In her first year coaching the team reached their second-ever post season playoff game, but lost. The next year the team progressed to regionals before taking their first loss of the season. In 2014 MSUM Women made their first appearance at Nationals in New Jersey, placing third. 2015 saw the team win every game they played, culminating in a National Championship title in South Carolina. Since their title the MSUM Women's team has enjoyed post season play to the regional level every year, in addition to their appearances at Nationals in Georgia in 2018 and 2019 placing fourth and third respectively. Aitken takes pride in teaching the bruising sport of rugby to collegiate athletes that have never seen or heard of the sport. In all her years at MSUM she has coached a total of two players with previous rugby experience. With such a short time to teach new players an entirely new game she has to lean on their previous sports experience and empower them with physical and mental tools to succeed.

Bennae Calac Category Builder Tribe Pauma Band of Luiseño Indians Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 11/16/1969 Bennae is a strong Native woman, mother, business owner, mentor, teacher, and leader. Over the last 35 years, Bennae Calac has represented Pauma in various political, cultural, and administrative capacities. She has served as the repatriation chair since the age of twenty-one and her life’s work is to preserve the culture and traditions of her people. She is dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Luiseño songs and dances and works with her own children and local youth programs to ensure that this traditional knowledge is instilled in the younger generation. Bennae was elected as Committee Member to the Pauma Band’s Tribal Council in December 2008 and served another two-year term as Secretary and Treasurer. Through her various Tribal roles, Bennae interacts with the youth, culture, public and political relations. Bennae continually answers the community’s call to speak on topics ranging from native wellness, health advocacy, domestic violence, women’s issues, and cultural preservation. Bennae serves on numerous boards and committees, including as the Co-Founder of the 7G Foundation , a (501)(c)(3) organization providing Native Americans, and other Indigenous people and communities, assistance in reaching their goals through Athletics, Education, Health-Mind-Body Practices, and Community. She has also established and serves as Board Chair for Onoo Po Strategies , a multifaceted consultancy and holding company with capabilities in Economic Development, Technology, Procurement and Distribution, Business Strategy and Marketing, and Environmental and Agricultural Management. Photo: Mom (left) and daughter at the US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis. Home 2026 Banquet Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Phillip Castillo Phillip Castillo Acoma Pueblo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Phil Castillo is from the Pueblo of Acoma, one of nineteen Pueblos in the state of New Mexico. Acoma is located approximately 60 miles west of Albuquerque. Phil attended Grants High School in Grants, NM graduating in 1989. He was a 4-time state champion, two in Cross-Country and two titles in Track. In 1989 he qualified for the Kinney Cross-Country Championships in San Diego, CA as one of thirty-two finalists across the country. He finished that race eighth overall and became a High School All American. Upon completing high school, Phil attended Adams State University (ASU), and was the 1992 NCAA DII National Champion, becoming the first Native American to win an NCAA championship. He finished with nine All American honors at ASU. In 2000 he competed in the US Olympic Marathon Trials in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a member of the US Army’s World Class Athlete Program. After the Olympic trials, he continued his career in the US Army as a Logistics Officer and retired as a Major in 2019. Phil is married to Wendy and they have four daughters and one grandson. He is an assistant cross-country and track distance coach at Alamosa High School in Colorado. He has aspirations of coaching at the collegiate level and is completing a second Master’s degree from Concordia University this winter. Through running Phil has been able to see the world several times over and he is truly blessed every day for all the gifts that have been given to him. <Back

< Back George Armstrong George Armstrong Algonquin (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg) Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 George Armstrong is known as one of the first Indigenous trailblazers in the NHL. He played 21 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs between 1949 and 1971 and captained the team to 4 Stanley Cup championships in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. George played more seasons, more regular season games, and captained the Maple Leafs longer than any other player in the club’s history. He was called by Conn Smythe "the best captain, as a captain, the Leafs have ever had." Born in Bowlands Bay, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Wanapitei, George grew up in a small northern mining community. In the winters, he practiced his skating and hockey skills when lakes froze over, in the summers he enjoyed swimming and hunting in the bush. His mother, a strong Algonquin woman, raised George to be proud of his heritage. After his time with the Copper Cliff Jr. Redman, George played for the Stratford Kroehlers in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), where he won the Red Tilson Trophy as OHA’s Most Valuable Player and the Eddie Powers Trophy as the league’s Top Scorer in 1947-1948. In 1950, Armstrong won the Allan Cup with the Toronto Sr. Malboros. While visiting the Stoney Indian Reserve in Alberta during the Allan Cup finals, the band presented him with a headdress and gave him the name “Big Chief Shoot-the-Puck” in honour of his Indigenous heritage. The nickname “the Chief” stuck with him throughout the rest of his career. After his retirement in 1971, George coached the Toronto Marlboros to two Memorial Cup championships in 1972-1973 and 1974-1975. In 1975, George was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His jersey was retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016. George ranks among the top all-time scorers in Maple Leafs history with 713 points in 1,188 regular season games. <Back

< Back Martin F. Wheelock Martin F. Wheelock Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Martin Frederick Wheelock was born in Oneida, WI, in 1874 and attended Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, PA, from 1890-1902 where he became a varsity letterman on the legendary Carlisle Indians football team for years 1894-1902. The Indians played against all the major teams in the East and some in the Midwest. In 1899, with Wheelock as Captain, the team received an invitation to play the University of California in San Francisco on Christmas Day for the "East-West Championship". The California team had just finished an undefeated season and had been un-scored upon. Following an adventurous train trip across the country, the Indians defeated California by a score of 2-0 in a tough game fought on a slow, sandy field. Wheelock played guard and tackle during his career, was the leading kicker many years, and finished as center in 1902. Despite bouts of pleurisy, he is reported to have played football for one season at Haskell Institute in Kansas after leaving Carlisle. Following the end of his football career, Wheelock returned home to Oneida, WI, where he married a former Carlisle student, had a family, farmed, and used his extensive education (for the times) to help interpret important matters. He died in 1937. Honors and recognition Wheelock received include: Carlisle Indians Team Captain, 1899 and 1901; Second Team All-American in 1901; All-University Team in 1902 by the Sports Department of the Philadelphia Inquirer; named by Glenn Warner as his choice for left guard on his all-time Carlisle line-up, and frequent mention in the school newspaper, "The Indian Helper". When Wheelock spent time at home in Wisconsin, he was recruited to play one season for the Green Bay football team (before they were the Packers). Wheelock, along with other Oneida football players who played for the Green Bay town team, is featured on a Walk of Legends statue outside Lambeau Field. In 1980, Martin Frederick Wheelock was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas. <Back

Denise TsadeyohdiWaterman Category Builder Tribe Oneida Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 6/9/1953 Denise Tsadeyohdi Waterman is a Haudenosaunee Oneida Nation citizen and Turtle clan family member. Ms. Waterman has served as a teacher and Mathematics Specialist for nearly forty years at the Onondaga Nation School. In 2016 the NIEA-NYS awarded Teacher of the Year, and The NIEA awarded her the National Community Service Teacher of the Year in 2014. Ms. Waterman co-founded the Onondaga Nation Education organization, the Onondaga Nation Minor Athletics, & the Onondaga Nation OLA Junior Lacrosse, Advisory Board member for Ohngwe sports, and is a Founding Board member (1983) of the Iroquois National Lacrosse of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Denise Waterman said, “I enjoy applying Haudenosaunee ideology manifesting itself through the Haudenosaunee lacrosse, which allows the entire world to see, learn, and feel the pride of indigenous peoples and lacrosse enthusiasts from every corner of the world.” During her tenure as Executive Director of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse 2010-2015, she wrote, established, and negotiated the 2011 FIL merger initiative for the Haudenosaunee regarding the full nation membership for all our people within the world lacrosse organization. She also is widely noted for winning the bid to host the international 2015 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships on Native Lands; under her auspices as Executive Director. The World Lacrosse. Inc., an international sporting organization, has awarded Ms. Waterman the International Spirit of Lacrosse Award in 1998, 2007, 2011, and 2016. Her colleagues say, “The sustainability and future of indigenous sports are protected, thanks to the vigilance and character and truth of Denise Waterman that is the energy, the positive leadership that is the inner wisdom that provides us a view beyond ourselves; at no expense to others.” Denise Waterman’s educational background includes a B.S., SUCO New York in Education, Master’s Syracuse University, CAS in Education Leadership, and Ed.D Executive Leadership candidate at LeMoyne College. Denise’s family members are Lawson, Madex, Kohen, Kimaura, Tia, and Gewas. Done:toh. Home 2026 Banquet Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Autumn Apok Ridley Autumn Apok Ridley Inupiaq and Tlingit Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Autumn Apok Ridley is from Anchorage, Alaska. She is a descendant from Wales, Alaska. She currently holds three world records in the Traditional Indigenous Northern Games. Her records are the Alaskan High Kick at 83”, the Two-foot High Kick at 79”, and the Traditional One-foot High Kick (Alaskan style) at 74”. She also shares the Traditional One-foot High Kick record with two other women, Erica Carson and Carol Hull. Autumn first started participating in the traditional games at the age of 6. She was influenced by her Uncle Gregory Nothstine since he was heavily involved in the games. She broke her first world record in The Alaskan High Kick in 2012 at the Native Youth Olympics at 82”. Two years later she went on and broke her record by one inch in the Alaskan High Kick at the same competition. The next day she went and broke a 25 year old record formerly held by Nicole Johnston in the Two-foot High Kick by one inch. In July of 2014 she tied the world record in The Traditional One-foot High Kick with Erica Carson (Meckel) at the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. Autumn still practices and participates in the games for fun and coaches when she has time. Photo Credit: Wayde Carroll Photography <Back

< Back Scott Murray Scott Murray Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2025 Scott Murray was born on November 25, 1955, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, living there until the age of 10 before his family moved to Grafton. During his time at Grafton High School, he was a two-time All Conference stand out athlete who lettered in five sports: basketball, baseball, golf, cross country, and track. Scott attended Milton College where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management. He was a three-year starter in basketball, scored 1,000 points in his college career and was selected as an All-WICA and All-District collegiate athlete. During his college basketball career, he was invited to play in Costa Rica and later played professional basketball in San Jose, Costa Rica. During his off time in Costa Rica, he was an English teacher. Scott was later inducted into the Milton College Hall of Fame. Scott’s college coach, Dale Race, who coached hundreds of student athletes in his long career, made it clear that number 11 was one of his finest student athletes ever, both on and off the court. He said in his 40 years of coaching, Scott was one of the best, Scott Murray was a champion. For many years, and up to the time of his death on December 18, 2015, Scott was the Area Manager of Fitness and Recreation for the Oneida Nation where he is an enrolled member. In addition to his important role in fitness and recreation, Scott was the well-loved and longtime Head Boys Basketball Coach at the Oneida Nation High School. He also coached the Wisconsin Boys Basketball team at the Native American Indigenous Games where they won the Gold Medal twice. While Scott was an exceptional athlete in high school, college, and at the recreational level, it was not without having to overcome an amazing challenge in life. Early in his high school years, Scott lost three fingers in a shop class. In spite of that traumatic experience his athlete resume’ was amazing. In his post high school and professional basketball years, he continued to be an outstanding recreational athlete regularly competing in basketball, softball, and golf. While competing locally and nationally, Scott was a part of many local and national championships which included three National Championship titles at the National Indian Athletic Association (NIAA) 40 and over tournament. He was selected as the Co-MVP at the 40 and over national NIAA Championship in 1999. Scott Murray passed away on the worksite doing what he loved to do. As the Area Manager of Recreation, Scott took the Nation to another level while constantly working towards making our Nation a better place. Whether it was empowering our youth to become great student athletes or building our future in recreation and sports, Scott cared about the Oneida Nation community. The Oneida Nation Fitness Center gym is now named the Scott Murray Gym in honor of his commitment. <Back

< Back Jim Warne Jr Jim Warne Jr Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jim Warne Jr. is a member of the Oglala Lakota. His athletic achievements began as an award-winning All-State Football, Shotput and Powerlifter at Tempe High School in Arizona. These achievements led him to a full-ride football scholarship to Arizona State University where he was voted 1986 All-Pac 10 Tackle by the coaches/media. He was an offensive tackle on Arizona State University’s 1987 Rose Bowl Championship team beating Michigan. Jim was also selected to the Hula Bowl All-Star game and was a National Champion/All American Powerlifter for ASU. In 1987, Jim was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, and after a short NFL career he was drafted by the World League of American Football/NFL Europe in 1991 and played in the Arena Football League in 1992. After professional football, Jim earned his master’s degree at San Diego State University (SDSU). He had a rewarding career fulfilling his desire increasing rehabilitative services within Indian Country at SDSU (1993-2015) developing the Circle for American Indian Rehabilitation and Education. Jim decided to create his own company, Warrior Society Development. He successfully wrote over 60 million dollars in grants creating programs serving tribal members with disabilities including the Oyáte Circle at University of South Dakota as Community Engagement and Diversity Director at Sanford School of Medicine Center for Disabilities. Due to the success of Oyáte Circle, University of Arizona College of Medicine contracted Jim to create the Native Center for Disabilities serving Arizona tribal members addressing public health and disability disparities. During this time Jim initiated his lifelong dream of becoming a successful filmmaker. His first film production, “7th Generation” achieved international awards and is on Amazon Prime. He co-produced, “Oyáte un Itówapi,” a Sports Emmy nominee with FOX Sports. <Back

< Back Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Duval Elizabeth (Liz) Mary Duval Metis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Liz was born and raised in Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada. From a very early age her athletic prowess preceded her in all the sports she played. At the age of 10 years, she began playing ice hockey and at the time she was one of only two girls who were given permission to play with “the boys” in her local hockey association. Her hockey skills were above average and soon many people took notice of her exceptional play. While still in her teens she was selected by Hockey Ontario to compete in the 1988 Ontario Winter Games. After graduating from secondary school, she was recruited to play women’s varsity hockey for the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. Liz served as Captain for her final three years while also leading her team-mates in scoring for that same period. In the 1994-95* season, she led the Gryphons to the Ontario Women’s Interuniversity Athletic Association Championship. Also in that year, and as the team’s MVP, she was a finalist for the University of Guelph’s Sportswoman of the Year. It’s also worthy to make note of the fact that Liz was selected as an OWIAA All-Star for each of her four years she suited up for the Gryphons. Upon graduation from university, Liz starred for the Mississauga Chiefs of the Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League from 1993 through to 2000. In 1996, she scored the overtime winning goal and led the Chiefs to capture the Ontario Senior AA hockey title. Liz finished her hockey career by playing professional women’s hockey in France. In 2016 the 1994-95 Gryphons women’s hockey team was inducted into the University of Guelph’s Sports Hall of Fame. <Back

Dano Thorne Category Coach Tribe Coast Salish Cowichan and Nez Perce Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 12/18/1961 A First Nations life-long advocate for sport, recreation, youth, and sport from grassroots to international level. A national level coach and coach instructor and founding member national aboriginal coaching modules the first master coach in this program, instructor in national coaching certification program, life skills coach mentor, suicide prevention mentor, physical literacy and multi-sport mentor, technical advisor to national and provincial sports groups and technical advisor and interim board member of world games movement. A lifetime professional commitment to create and develop sports and recreation for youth across North America. As an athlete, Indigenous Team Canada Indoor Soccer 1989-1998, Pro Soccer 1986-1988, Premier League Men’s Soccer 1979-1999, Duncan United Indigenous Men Provincial Champions and numerous MVP honors, and British Columbia (BC) Champions in 1990 and 1991. As a head coach, men’s teams won BC Champions 3 times in 1990, 1991, and 2001 and women in 1992. Men national runner-up 2001, women world champions 2015, 2017, Cuba U20 2019 and women North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) champions in 1993 and 1995. As an advocate and leader including being a board member, NAIG Council, Aboriginal Sport Circle, Team BC chef de mission, Special Olympics North America, National Indigenous Physical Activity Cultural Circle, founder NIFA Soccer Society, member of national sports committee appointed by sport minister and numerous other committees. Awards and honors include five-time BC Coaching Awards, three-time National Coach Awards, first ever Indigenous National Coach of the Year 1999. Graduate National Coaching Institute 1995 and presently completing the Canada Sport Institute Master Coaching Diploma. A two time athlete of the year as Cowichan Tribes Athlete in 1976 and 1979. With his 2015 team world champions he was inducted into the BC Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021. Dano has holistic approaches and remembers his cultural teachings of his family and elders. He is recognized for humility and integrity, respect of diversity and working for all people of indigenous ancestry and beyond. Believe who you are and live your dreams to all youth. Dano has been walking the red road for 33 years and enjoys his life daily. Has a strong spiritual belief with the Creator. Home 2026 Banquet Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Ernie Stevens Jr. Category Athlete Tribe Oneida Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 7/5/1959 Ernie Stevens, Jr. is Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) out of Washington, DC. Serving in his 11th consecutive two-year terms. Stevens serves as Chairman and National spokesman for the Indian Gaming industry working with Tribal Leadership in shaping policy initiatives that have the potential to impact the industry. Stevens served as elected Councilman for the Oneida Nation from 1993 to 1996. His career in Washington, DC began in 1995 as the First Vice-President of the National Congress of American Indians. He serves as a board member of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Nike N7 Foundation, Center for American Indian Youth, and Native American Graduate Center. In 2008, Stevens was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was inducted as Lifetime Member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Alumni Association. In 2015, Stevens was inducted into the American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame, and has received several national accolades. Ernie’s boxing career started in his teens. At 16, along with boxing icon Louie Askinette, he co-founded the Soaring Eagle Boxing Club in Oneida in 1975. His accolades include 4-time State Heavyweight Champion in 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1979. He is also a two-time National Indian Heavyweight Champion out of Carson City, NV in 1977 & 1978. In 1977, he was 17 years old fighting seasoned men to win the Championship. Stevens received an Associate Degree from Haskell Indian Junior College, 1983, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Senario College,1996 and a Masters in Management from the University of Phoenix, 2021. Stevens is married to his wife and best friend of 43 years, Cheryl. Together they have 5 kids and 17 grandchildren. Home 2026 Banquet Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More