< Back Phillip Whiteman Jr. Phillip Whiteman Jr. Northern Cheyenne Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Northern Cheyenne traditional Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr, Heove ve'keso (Yellowbird), comes from a long line of chiefs and horse people, who are caretakers of horse medicine and songs. Phillip Whiteman Jr. is a two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider in the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) in 1985 and 1999. He qualified 26 times for the INFR and held the highest mark ride of 86 points for 34 years. He won the Open Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) title twice in 1991 and 1993, and was a seven-time world finalist at El Paso, Texas under the North American Rodeo Commission (NARC). He became a champion in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and was selected to join their first All American Rodeo and Wild West Show to Europe, organized by Jerome Robinson. As a PRCA member he became the first European tour champion in Helsinki, Finland, with a score of 91, besting the champions of the time, including three-time PRCA world champion, Monty (Hawkeye) Henson. He competed on the same tour in Paris, France, in 1991. For 15 years he put on rodeo schools for indigenous and non-indigenous children in his home community on the Northern Cheyenne reservation with PRCA Hall of Fame legends, including: Shawn Davis; Charlie Sampson; Bruce Ford; Donny Gay; and Gary Leffew. He competed as an old-style grass dancer often winning in both the professional rodeo and powwow arenas at the same time, including at Navajo Nation Fair; the Shoshone Bannock Festival; Crow Fair; and Oglala Fair. He is also a traditional storyteller and flute player and award-winning recording artist, including winning an Indian Summer Music Award and Native American Music Awards (NAMA) nominations. He served as culture and language advisor for the Hollywood A-List movie Hostiles. Chief Phillip Whiteman Jr. has been committed to giving back to Indigenous children and youth, including in his home community. He also offers trainings across North America through his organization Spirit Seeker Solution combining his lifetime of experience and his ancestral teachings to connect horse, human and spirit. <Back

< Back Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis Kali “KO” Mequinonoag Reis Seaconke Wampanoag Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 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.” <Back

Can Am Warriors Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back In 1980 the first attempt for a World Box Lacrosse Championship was held in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia (BC) from July 8-17. Five teams participated in the event, Canada West (Coquitlam Adanacs), Canada East (Brooklyn Redman), Australia, US, and North American Natives (Can Am Warriors). The Can Am Warriors were represented by players from the Haudenosaunee and Squamish Nation from BC. The majority of the native players played in the Can-Am Senior B league located in New York State and eastern Canada. That is why the team's entry name for the tournament was Can Am Warriors. Prior to the tournament the Can AM Warriors played the North Shore Indians team twice, and split the games 1-1. Six players from the North Shore team were added to the Can Am team to form the final roster. The team had excellent goalies and the players were young, skilled, and fast. During the round robin tournament the Warriors went 2-2, losing to both the Canadian teams. In the semifinal game the Warriors beat Canada East in a high scoring game that sent them into the finals against the tournament favorite, Canada West. The final game was played at the Pacific Coliseum in front of 7,500 lacrosse fans. The coliseum was electrified by the sound of the beating drums by the Squamish people that added motivation to the native team. It was the largest crowd any of the Can Am Warrior players had ever played in front of in their careers. The first period ended with a one goal lead for the Warriors. The game went back and forth and eventually the size and experience of the Canadian team led them to win the gold medal, 16-11. The Can Am Warriors entertained lacrosse fans in lower mainland arenas with their lacrosse skills during the tournament and finished with a hard fought and highly respectable silver medal. Back Row L to R: Ross Powless, Roy Pinder, Trainer, Harry Powless, Barry Powless, Chuck Martin, Freeman Bucktooth, Tom Thomas, Steve Miller, Louie Mitchell, Dave Bray, Ernie Mitchell, Gilbert Jacobs, Willis Baker, Wes Patterson, Peter Garrow, Frank Baker. Middle Row L to R: Dennis Murrey, Gary Powless, Dave Waterman, Mike Cornelius, Wayne Baker, Delmar Jacobs, Larry King, Dave White, Allan Newmanm, Ryan Newman. Bottom Row L to R: Keith Baker, Jeff Gill, Chuck Stevens, Vern Baker, Jeff Guss, Sam Seward, Frankie Davis.

< Back Zach Whitecloud Zach Whitecloud Sioux Valley Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Zach Whitecloud, who spent much of his upbringing on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, joined a group of Stanley Cup winners of Indigenous descent including Hockey Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Grant Fuhr when three of his eight points in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs came in the Stanley Cup Final to help the Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5. Whitecloud became the second defenseman in 22 years and 11th in the NHL modern era (since 1943-44) to score the game-winning goal in the opening game of the Final. Whitecloud was traded to the Calgary Flames on Jan. 18, 2026. He was third on the Golden Knights in hits (73), blocks (63) and short-handed time on ice per game (1:44) at the time of the deal. After playing played three seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Whitecloud then moved on to Bemidji State University in Minnesota. In two NCAA seasons Whitecloud had 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) in 77 games. Whitecloud signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on March 8, 2018, and made his NHL debut a month later, playing 16:42 against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018. He played all of 2018-19 with Chicago of the American Hockey League, finishing with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 74 games and leading the AHL with a plus-39 rating. In the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, Whitecloud led all defensemen with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 22 games the most by an AHL rookie defenseman since Alex Goligoski had 28 points with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008. Whitecloud started 2019-20 in the AHL and had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 35 games. He was recalled by the Golden Knights on Feb. 1 and got his first NHL point Feb. 28 against the Buffalo Sabres, an assist on a third-period goal by Reilly Smith in a 4-2 victory. In 16 games Whitecloud averaged 14:19 of ice time and was plus-3. Source: Calgary Flames <Back

< Back Joe Hipp Joe Hipp Blackfeet Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Joe Hipp aka Joe "The Boss" Hipp was born on the Blackfeet reservation in Browning, Montana and raised in Yakima Washington. At eight years old he became an amateur boxer and by the end of his amateur career his record was 119-9. At his first bout as a professional in the ring his wife nicknamed him “the boss”. By the end of his professional career his record was 43-7 with 29 knockouts. In 2009 he was inducted into the American Indian Hall of Fame. In 1999 he won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Heavyweight Championship making him the first Native American Heavyweight Champion of the World. In 1996 he won the Western U.S. Heavyweight Championship, in 1994 the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title, and in 1991 the WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship. He was married 40 years to his late wife Barbara and they have four kids between them including Christina, Zack and twins Vanessa and Sophia along with 11 grandchildren, and one great grandson. When he retired from boxing he created the All Nations Foundation to encourage Native American youth to strive for achievement and excellence in academics as well as physical and mental health. He also speaks on suicide prevention and awareness. His and his daughters do motivational speaking at schools, youth centers and conventions about their experiences with suicide in their community. They created a scholarship called "Keeping the Dream Alive" in memory of his first granddaughter Alexandria Cole who was the 2012 Chief Leshi’s Daffodil Princess. <Back

< Back Leanne Sirup Leanne Sirup Inuit Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Being of Inuit descent, Leanne Sirup’s history in the sport of swimming spans more than three decades; starting as a swimmer, and then transferring her skills to coaching and mentoring. As an athlete, Leanne raced to the podium in numerous championships provincially and nationally as well as competing for Team Canada internationally. During this period, Leanne also set numerous provincial and national records predominantly in the 800m freestyle, the 200m butterfly, and the 400m individual medley. In addition to her decorated career, Sirup came out of retirement and competed at the 1997 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) where she raced to a total of 8 medals and the distinction of the British Columbia (BC) Premier’s Athlete of the Year. As a coach, Sirup has been the head coach of Team BC since 2004. Leading her provincial swimmers in every NAIG since, including a swim team overall victory in NAIG 2017, Leanne has been honored with the Provincial Coach of the Year (2008) and the National Coaching Award for Indigenous Excellence in Sport as presented by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Coaches Association of Canada partnership (2008, 2021). Ms Sirup has also been selected by Swimming Natation Canada as a Select Coach for their High Performance Development program. Leanne is keen on giving back to the Sport that has given so much to her. She is proud to serve as a National Coaching Certification Program’s Learning Facilitator since 2012, sharing her knowledge and experience to further the development the sport of swimming. Locally, Leanne continually endeavors to create opportunities for the youth to learn about the sport of swimming to open the pathway for success in any branch of Aquatics. To positively affect those around her, just as her coaches and mentors have done so generously for her. Photo: Carrie Matheson <Back

< Back George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah Comanche Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah is an enrolled Comanche Tribal Member, husband and father of five, CEO of three tribal companies, holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, and winner of four middleweight boxing championship titles. He launched his boxing career in 2004. His titles include: 2008 Native American Boxing Council’s Super Middleweight Champion, 2011 World Boxing Council’s Continental Americas Middleweight Champion, 2012 North American Boxing Association’s US Middleweight Champion, and 2014 Oklahoma Super Middleweight Boxing Champion. His other awards include 2011’s Top 40 under 40 Native American Entrepreneur, Goodwill Ambassador Award from the World Boxing Council for his fight against diabetes, and the American Indian Exposition’s 2012 Celebrity Indian of the Year award. Tahdooahnippah, had the largest fan base in Oklahoma, and was accompanied to the ring with Native American dancers in full regalia, Native American Drum group, and Native American Rappers. Tahdooahnippah said, “No fighter in the world brought what I brought to the ring.” From the pound of the Native American drum to the breath-taking display of Native American Fancy War Dancers, to the hip hop sounds of his Native American rappers. Comanche Boy topped it off with his power punching, fan friendly style, knocking his opponent’s out. He then performed his own victory war dance. Tahdooahnippah built a nine-year 31-0 boxing career before his first loss. He fought four ESPN fights including one undercard, HBO pay per view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. “When I started on this journey, nobody believed in me. But I kept going. This has been the highest honor I carried as a professional fighter and I did my best representing my Native American people,” said Tahdooahnippah. He retired from boxing in 2016 with a record of 34 wins, 3 losses, 3 draws and 2 no contests. <Back

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi <Back Diné (Navajo) Induction Category: Media Year Inducted 2022 Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi is a longtime storyteller from the Navajo Nation. She spent over a decade as sportswriter for the Navajo Times, telling stories of high school, college, and professional Navajo athletes. Clahchischiligi, a former athlete, developed an admiration for sports and storytelling at a young age. She completed six internships in three years, one at Sports Illustrated magazine in New York City. Clahchischiligi earned multiple awards for her writing in sports, editorial, community coverage, elder coverage, and investigative reporting. She wrote for the St. Cloud Times, the Albuquerque Journal, the Santa Fe New Mexican, the Osage News, Searchlight NM, and the Salt Lake Tribune. From her extensive coverage of basketball on the Navajo Nation, she has been dubbed an expert in rezball, a fast-paced style of basketball played throughout Indian Country. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian, to name a few. Clahchischiligi has a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the University of New Mexico, a master’s degree in rhetoric, writing, and digital media studies from Northern Arizona University, and is currently a PhD candidate in rhetoric and writing at UNM. She also teaches composition in the English department.

< Back María Lorena Ramírez María Lorena Ramírez Rarámuri Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 María Lorena Ramírez won the 2017 Ultra Trail Cerro Rojo 50K in Puebla, Mexico in a time of 7:20 and not long after, she became the first Rarámuri woman to compete in a European ultra with her inaugural attempt at the Bluetrail, the second-highest race in Europe. She competes wearing huaraches, a form of sandals, and a long skirt and she has a truly fascinating story and was featured in the 2019 Netflix documentary Lorena, Light-Footed Woman. Photo/Bio Credit: Ultra X <Back

Cherlyn Dawn Billy <Back Shuswap Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2023 Cherlyn Billy was part of the U-19 Indigenous Female Team BC for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. This was the first time that the NAIG games had female box lacrosse, and because of this Cherlyn wanted the players to get the full recognition for it. She set up interviews for players with the media, fundraised so they could get new and proper gear and most importantly instilled in them that they were proud Indigenous woman. The team brought home bronze in the games, and fond memories. From this Cherlyn created the BC Storm Lacrosse, a team and group dedicated to using lacrosse as a way to connect culture, history and traditions. Cherlyn coached the first Storm team in an All Nations tournament in 2018 in Six Nations and the team brought home a bronze medal. She used this platform to support players who went to play for Haudenosaunee at the 2019 U-19 Female Field Lacrosse World Games; and later those trying out for the 2022 Haudenosaunee Women’s and Sixes teams in which Cherlyn had multiple athletes of hers on the teams. She took the second Storm Team to the first ever US Box lacrosse women’s tournament in San Jose, in Aug of 2022 and were bronze medalists. Team photo after winning the Bronze medal at the 2017 NAIG for Team BC U-19 Female Lacrosse; Photo Credit: Tanya Foreman and Danya Shima Professional Photo Credit: Carolyn Billy

Rick Baker <Back Hopi Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2024 Rick Baker arrived at Hopi High School in Arizona in 1987. He has coached the boys program since 1987 and the girls program since 2017. Baker’s coaching honors include: 2022 National Federation of High School Athletics Cross Country Coach of the Year 2020 National Federation High School Athletics Hall of Fame 2015 National Federation High School Cross Country Coach of the Year National Federation High School-Cross Country Region-8 Coach of the Year two times Coached Hopi Boys’ Cross Country to 27 consecutive State Championships between 1990-2017; to 24 North Regional XC Championships between 1990-2014; and to two state runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2019 Coached Hopi Girls Cross Country to two State Runner-Up Championships during the 2018 and 2019 seasons Coached nine Individual State Champions Coached Arizona’s only perfect score (15 pts.) at the 1999 State Meet Baker was also a national class runner. He was the 1977 Individual Arizona State Mile Champion (4:20.6), a team member of the National Junior College Athletic Association All-American-Indoor Distance Medley Relay, a team member of the NAIA All-American-Indoor and National Champion Distance Medley Relay, and honored as the Tony Coffin Award/Outstanding Athlete Award-Haskell Indian Junior College, 1978. Baker’s wife of 37 years is Deborah Secakuku Baker and sons are Chad Andrew Baker and Steven Secakuku Baker.

Dennis Parrish Stewarts Point Rancheria of Kashaya Pomo Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back In 2005 Dennis Parrish saw a Carlisle Indian School football photograph of the 1908 team. He immediately knew who Jim Thorpe was but did not know who the other players were. So, he started collecting digital copies of all the teams and players whenever possible. Over a period of time he collected hundreds of photographs. He then put in the hours and effort to identify the people in the photographs. He perused over half a million pages of newspapers to pin down who was who in the photographs. He decided to use Facebook as a platform and a means to further identity the players by contacting their descendants. With their help he was able to identify most of the players in every photograph. Parrish spent thousands of hours collecting the information for the biographies of the players. His plan was always to flood the internet with information about the accomplishments of the players. A goal would be to encourage feature movies to highlight the popularity of the players and to feature their plights and struggles of their lives. No one should ever forget the lives that shined there and that were lost at Carlisle. You may connect with Parrish’s Facebook public group page titled Carlisle Indian School Football Immortals.