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Gerald “Jerry” Tuckwin <Back Prairie Band Potawatomi Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2023 For over 30 years, Jerry Tuckwin coached and taught Native Americans at Haskell Institute, Haskell Indian Junior College and Haskell Indian Nations University. Tuckwin also attended Haskell and graduated from Haskell Institute in 1960 with his high school diploma where he was very active in sports. He was fortunate enough to receive a track and field scholarship from the University of Wichita (later Wichita State University) where he earned his baccalaureate degree in 1964. He returned to Haskell in 1965 to coach junior college basketball and assist in track and field. The following summer he was drafted but elected to serve four years in the United States Air Force. He is a Viet Nam veteran. In addition to this military obligation, Tuckwin completed his Master’s degree at the University of Arizona. During this time, Jerry married college sweetheart, Terry Maupin. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, he returned to Haskell to resume his coaching responsibilities which lasted until 2001. It was during this tenure that he coached Native students who earned All-American honors 30 different times. He learned very quickly that the runners had the talents to succeed. All he needed to do was give them the workouts, nurture their self-confidence, but mainly help in the development of their self-esteem. “He believes his success can be attributed to his ability to bring out their self-worth; they had the talent”. Upon his retirement in 2001 from his educational duties and coaching responsibilities, Tuckwin pursued employment with his tribe, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation where he served as the Chairman of the Potawatomi Entertainment Corporation Board in the casino industry. During this semi-retirement era, Coach Tuckwin also garnered awards from Nike Corporation for his success with Native runners, the Seminole Nation of Florida, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame, Outstanding Alumnus from Haskell Indian Nations University, and the first Inductee to the Kansas City Chiefs as a result of his work and contributions to Indigenous youth. Tuckwin has two children (John and Shannon, whom is deceased), five grandchildren and one great grandson. All are alumni of Haskell with the exception of his great grandson. Tuckwin continues to be active with the Haskell Foundation, his work with the Haskell Tekakwitha Catholic Center and the Haskell Alumni Association.

< Back Brandon Nolan Brandon Nolan Ojibway Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Brandon Nolan, a proud Ojibway from the Garden River First Nation, played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Oshawa Generals, eventually becoming a two-time OHL All-Star and a consistent top scorer in his three years playing for the Generals. It was Nolan's strong play with the Oshawa Generals that helped him get drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the third round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, then again in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. Nolan played professional hockey for five years, playing for the Manitoba Moose (AHL), Columbia Inferno (ECHL), Vaxjo Lakers (Swedish League), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL), Albany River Rats (AHL), and the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL). He eventually reached his boyhood dream of playing in the NHL when he was called up from the AHL’s Albany River Rats to the Carolina Hurricanes on December 22, 2007. Realizing a lifelong dream is not easy, and Nolan did it. Nolan played six games for the Carolina Hurricanes that season, but on February 22, 2008, his life would change forever. He suffered a serious concussion during a game in the AHL and was forced to retire from the game he loved. After taking two years off to recover from post-concussion syndrome, Nolan enrolled into Durham College hoping to obtain a diploma in Business Administration, specializing in marketing. Putting forth his best effort and applying the skills he learned and the values that were instilled on him by his parents Ted and Sandra including hard work, perseverance, completing what you start, Nolan eventually graduated in 2012 as the highest ranking graduate in his entire program, as well as winning multiple awards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for academic excellence. Like his father Ted, giving back to First Nations and First Nations youth was very important to him. Having co-created the 3NOLANS First Nation Hockey School with his father and brother, and having directly affected the lives of over 2,500 youth, Nolan looks forward to continuing to be a positive role model for First Nations people for many years to come. <Back

< Back Jordan Brewer Jordan Brewer Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Jordan Brewer was born in Saint Joseph, MI, and grew up excelling as a three-sport athlete, competing in baseball, football, and basketball. He was recruited by the University of Michigan for football, but a shoulder injury during his senior season derailed those plans. Undeterred, Jordan took the opportunity to play baseball at Lincoln Trail Junior College, where he had a standout two-year career, earning All-Region honors. His performance caught the attention of the University of Michigan’s baseball program, where he quickly made his mark. In his first year, Jordan had an outstanding season, earning Big Ten Player of the Year and helping his team reach the finals of the College World Series. Following this success, Jordan was drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round. He advanced through the Astros minor league system to their Double-A team, overcoming several surgeries along the way. Despite these challenges, Jordan has enjoyed a successful professional baseball career and is excited about what future opportunities lie ahead. Photos: Houston Astros Media Team and Meza Photos <Back

Rick Brant (Teho:ka) Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back Rick Brant (Teho:ka) is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Ontario, Canada. He is a former member of Canada's National Track and Field Team. He has won national championships at 800 metres, 4x400 metre relay, and team Cross Country. In 1988, Brant was a member of the 4x400 metre champion relay team at the CIAU National Indoor Championships, was named the Saskatchewan Track and Field Indoor Male Athlete of the Year. In 1987 he was the 800 metre champion in the International Tri-Meet between Canada, Ireland and Wales. He was also the 1987 Canadian Grand Prix Final Champion and was named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete. In 1987, Brant received the Tom Longboat Award for the most outstanding Aboriginal athlete in Canada. In 1986 he was the 800 metre semi-finalist in the World Junior Championships, was the 800 metre and 4x400 metre relay team champion at the Canadian National Junior Championships, and was named CIAU All Canadian for Cross Country. Brant set the Canadian Interscholastic record in a tie finish in the 800 metres at the Ontario High School Championships. Since retiring from competitive running, Brant has served as an influential leader within the Indigenous sport movement in Canada. He is a founding member of the Aboriginal Sports Circle - Canada's National Voice for Aboriginal sport serving as the Aboriginal Sport Circle's Executive Director from 1998 to 2005. During that time, he helped lead the revitalization of the Tom Longboat Awards, and the creation of the National Aboriginal Coaching Awards, the Aboriginal Coaching Modules, and the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Brant helped found the North American Indigenous Games Council, the international governing body for the North American Indigenous Games, serving as the NAIG Council’s President from 2015-2018. He has overseen the delivery of three separate NAIG's - Prince Albert, SK 1993, Victoria, BC 1997, and Cowichan Valley, BC 2008. Most recently, Rick helped establish the Indigenous Sport Physical Activity and Recreation Council of British Columbia (I·SPARC) and led the creation of the Indigenous Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy (BC) – the first comprehensive, long-term strategy of its kind in North America. Rick currently serves as I·SPARC’s Chief Executive Officer.

Matt Roberson Wichita/Keechi Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2023 <Back Matt Roberson is the Executive Director for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation. Matt also serves as the Executive Officer and Region 6 Director for the North American Indigenous Games Council, as well as, serving as a Management Representative for Quivera Enterprises, Wichita Tribal Enterprises, Wichita Government Solutions and Iscani Industries. Matt is an enrolled member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes (Keechi) and is originally from Anadarko, Oklahoma. Previously, Matt was elected to the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Executive Committee and served as Southern Plains Regional Vice-President Alternate for the National Congress of American Indians. Matt was elected to two terms as President of The Association of Combative Sports Commissions. While under his leadership, The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Athletic Regulation was recognized as the 2017 Organization of The Year by the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame. The Department of Athletic Regulation, also organized and hosted the First Annual “Meeting of The Clans” an All-Indigenous Amateur Boxing World Championship in 2022. In 2017, Matt received The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s prestigious “40 under 40 Award." In 2018, Matt was selected as an American Express NGEN Fellow and in 2022 completed Converge Social Justice Leadership fellowship through the American Express Leadership Academy.

< Back Lakota Beatty Lakota Beatty Caddo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Lakota Beatty is from Anadarko, Oklahoma. She is the daughter of George and Michelle Beatty. She is an enrolled member of the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma and is also Dakota of Spirit Lake and Standing Rock, North Dakota and Nakoda and A’aniiih of Fort Belknap, Montana. Attending Anadarko High School, she played in four state tournaments, winning the state championship in 2012. Still holding the record for most points scored in Anadarko history, she scored over 2,000 points. Beatty was named to the OCA and OGBCA All-State teams, the Oklahoma Super-Five Team twice, was Jim Thorpe Player of the Year, Gatorade Player of the Year, and named a Parade All-American. Beatty had multiple NCAA Division 1 offers, ultimately choosing Oklahoma State University. While at OSU she played in two NCAA Tournaments, making it to the Sweet 16 her freshman year. After two years there, she transferred in-state to Division I Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Beatty finished her collegiate career with All First-Team Summit League and as of now (2023) she still currently holds the all-time career highest 3-point percentage at 43%. Beatty received her bachelor’s degree in sport management and then began her master’s degree in professional counseling. In 2019 Beatty began hosting her own basketball camps. Lakota Beatty Basketball has a trauma-informed approach that focuses on the importance of mental health on/off the court and aims to help other athletes get the same opportunities and experiences that she had. Lakota has been lucky enough to visit over 75 communities, Native and non-Native, sharing her story of overcoming trials and accomplishing her goals. In 2022 Beatty came out of retirement and signed her first professional basketball contract to play in Aotearoa, New Zealand. In 2023 she signed her next contract to play in The Netherlands where she is currently playing for the 2023-2024 season. After signing her first pro contract, she began representing Indigenous people on a global level as a Nike N7 Athlete. After she retires, she plans on venturing into sports psychology while also serving her Indigenous people with a blend of western, holistic, and traditional methodologies. <Back

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.

Provincial Nominees George Attla Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Wally Leask Alaska Sports Hall of Fame John Brown Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Reggie Joule Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Herb Didrickson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Elliott Sampson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Fred Simpson Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Albert Smoke Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Ron Brown Manitoba Sports & Manitoba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Joe Keeper Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Angela Chalmers Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Reg Leach Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jack Jacobs Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jill Mathez Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Robert Bernard Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Seymour Doucette Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame George Tex Marshall Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Sarah Lynn Knockwood Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Chad Denny Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Jesse "Cab" Renick Chickasaw Hall of Fame Jack and Gerry Brisco Chickasaw Hall of Fame Tom Longboat Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame

Denise Tsadeyohdi Waterman Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2022 <Back 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.

Krista Hodder Mi’kmaw from Membertou First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2023 <Back Krista Hodder is an Indigenous woman from Membertou First Nation, located in the heart of Unama’ki, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. She lives in her community with her two children. Krista began her career as a Child and Youth Worker, when she discovered her passion for sport, recreation and physical activity as a means to keep her community active, healthy and safe. She was the Mi’kmaw Physical Activity Coordinator for Membertou for eight years, beginning in 2013. It was in this role that she grounded and developed herself and her priorities. While working with her community, Krista worked with other Indigenous Communities to develop a developmental snowboard program designed to assist Indigenous youth to break down the barriers. The program saw as many as 400 youth come through the doors, with many going off to become snowboard instructors, giving back to the program that has gotten them started. As a hockey mom, Krista noted the discrepancies in opportunities for females to have a safe, supportive spaces to develop skill and build the love of the game. Working with stakeholders, Krista assisted in developing the Indigenous Girls Hockey Program, running for 10 weeks out of her home arena. The program provided gear and weekly practices. Most participants returned year after year, which has also given a boost to the local female hockey association. Some notable awards and recognition that Krista has seen include being named to the 2016 Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity in Canada list, as the overall woman in the Builders category by Canadian Women and Sport. Krista has also been included in a timeline of Influential Women in the Public Service Sector, a national timeline featuring over 150 women from the 1600s to today, compiled by Canada's School of Public Service. In 2020, Krista was honored with the title of Hockey Canada's champion for the month of June. After many great years serving her community, Krista took a leap of faith, and a new title. She is now the Senior Coordinator of Programs and Events with the Aboriginal Sport Circle – Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, physical activity and recreation, with her focus being on developing, supporting and delivering sport programs for Indigenous athletes across the country, providing opportunities and spaces for Indigenous youth to thrive in their sport. Photo 1 (winter photo): Krista participating in a walking meeting with the Active Cape Breton Communities Group. Photo Credit: Wayne McKay Photo 2 (profile): Krista smiles while discovering an eagle feather during a recreation meeting. Photo Credit: Jeannine Denny

< 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 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