Kahnawake Hunters 2025 Founder’s Cup Champions Team 2026 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Kahnawake Hunters ended the 2025 season in historic fashion. The Hunters were crowned the 2025 Founders Cup as the Canadian Junior B Lacrosse National Champions – becoming the first team in Kahnawake’s history to win a national championship in any sport. The Kahnawake Hunters represent the Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League and have been a member of the league since 2009. In 2024, the Hunters began their historic run by making it past the second round of the OJBLL playoffs for the first time and then made it to the Ontario Finals against the Elora Hawks. Elora would win the best-of-five series 3-0 and would go on to win the 2024 Founders Cup. The Hunters would go on to have a 15-5 record for the 2025 regular season, finishing in second place the OJBLL’s Eastern Conference. The Hunters would then go on to win their first found series against the Halton Hills Bulldogs 3-1. That set up a second-round matchup against the Green Gaels, who the Hunters would sweep 3-0. The Hunters would then take on the Akwesasne Thunder in the Eastern Conference Final. Game 1 of the Eastern Final was one of the most tightly-contested games of the playoffs, with the Hunters edging Akwesasne 9-8 overtime. The Hunters would go on to win the series 3-0 to go on to the Ontario final in a rematch of the 2024 finals against the Elora Hawks. After winning the first two games by scores of 12-6, and 9-8, Elora had a 2-0 lead in the series before the series shifted to Kahnawake. The Hunters would then win both games three and four by scores 10-9 and 9-8 to even the series at 2-2 heading back to Elora for the fifth and final game. The Hunters would go on to decisively win game five by a score of 13-7 to win the Ontario Championship and punch their ticket to the 2025 Founders Cup. Once at the Founders Cup, the Hunters went on to go a perfect 5-0 in the tournament, including a 9-4 win over the Coquitlam Adanacs in the gold medal game to win the Founders Cup. Team Roster: Tehahente Albany, Tehorahkwaneken Albany, Lleyton Bomberry-Sowden, Zane Chiefmoon, Crayton Cree, Cy Deer, Tehaianerahkhwa Deer, Ioteseronties Diabo, Kaymen Diabo, Tylen Diabo, Hawi Francis, Darris Jones, Kasey Lahache, Leland Lahache, Deeland Martin, Tycen Mccomber, Warren Oakes, Owen Rice, Shakononhkwahtsheronniennis Rice, Winter Rivera, Rohahes Stacey, Bryce Stout, Shatekaienthokwen VanDommelen, Shatekaienthon VanDommelen, Jenson White, Wesley Morris, Brett Bucktooth Jr. Managers/Owners: Derek Stacey and Jadie Cross, General Manager: Greg Horn, Head Coach: Brandon Francis, Assistant Coaches: Brett Bucktooth, Thunder Jacobs, Kahnawiio Dione, and Kirby Joe Diabo, Assistant General Manager: Kirby Joe Diabo, Equipment Manager: Katsirakeron McComber, Assistant Equipment Manager: Madden McComber, Social Media Manager: Atewenniiohstha Jacobs; Co-owners: Jason Maracle and Tara Maracle.

Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine <Back Sagkeeng Anishinaabe First Nation Induction Category: Media/Team Year Inducted 2023 Theodore Niizhotay Fontaine, Anishinaabe hockey player, Chief, Elder, author, educator, public speaker. Theodore survived 12 years incarcerated in Indian residential schools, experiencing sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse. The freedom of playing hockey as a child, and later as an adult, was critical to his survival. Theodore played senior and semi-professional hockey, signing a “C” contract with the Detroit Red Wings, but overt racism led him to give up his opportunity. This lifelong regret led to his determination to succeed in spite of his residential schools experiences. He graduated in Civil Engineering in 1973, and served as Chief of Sagkeeng First Nation. He played for 10 years with the Sagkeeng Oldtimers, winning international, national and regional awards, including three World Cups. He initiated donations of personal and hockey artifacts to Canada’s Hockey Hall of Fame and to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Theodore dedicated his career to supporting Indigenous people, including 11 years with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and serving on boards supporting Indigenous participation in the Pan-American Games, sports, social and economic issues. He taught Indigenous Governance at the Banff Centre for Management and co-founded the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute. His work led to reclamation and commemoration of the Assiniboia Residential School and publishing of survivor stories Did You See Us?. His national bestselling memoir, Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools, led to public speaking to 1600 audiences from students to professionals in sports, justice, policing, corrections, social services and health care. He authored the foreword for Colonial Genocide in Indigenous North America; the foreword to Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools; and contributed to multiple Indigenous publications and anthologies. Theodore’s leadership and success through activism and writing are his legacy for Indigenous truth and equity in Canada. Photos: Theodore at left, Fort Alexander Indian Residential School about 1950 Theodore speaking to health professionals University of Manitoba Grand Rounds

< Back Richard Peter Richard Peter Cowichan Tribes Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 He was known as “Bear” to many people, not only a nod to his strength and the size of his hands, but also the size of his heart. Poll the world’s top wheelchair basketball coaches and players regarding about who they’d choose to build their ultimate dream team around and in the top five would be Duncan, British Columbia’s Richard Peter. A proud member of the Cowichan Tribes, community was a huge part of Peter’s upbringing. Strength of family and his own determination helped him overcome a terrible injury at age four when a school bus backed up over his chest breaking his hip and spinal cord just below the ribcage. Adjusting to life in a small community with few wheelchair-accessible buildings wasn’t easy, but Peter’s strength of character more than met the challenges. He graduated from public school and tried virtually every sport available. In 1994, Peter debuted on the Canadian national team and was a pillar of strength for Canada from 1996 through to 2012. Beginning in 1996, Peter represented Canada at five Paralympic Games helping capture three golds (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012) and a silver (Beijing 2008). In world championship play, Peter has been part of one gold medal-winning squad (2006) and three that earned bronze. Six times he led Team BC to the national championship. Individually, Peter is regarded as one of the fiercest defenders in the world, an effortless scorer, and one of the game’s most sportsmanlike players. In the latter years of his career, Peter was still a regular member of the national team and played professionally in Germany with club RSV Lahn-Dill where he lived part of the year with wife Marni Abbott-Peter, herself a BC Sports Hall of Famer. At the same time, Peter was already racking up an impressive array of accolades. Twice named winner of the Tom Longboat Award as Canada’s Male Aboriginal Athlete of the Year, he was also a two-time Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Male Athlete of the Year, and the 2008 Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Athlete of the Year. Bio credit: Jason Beck, Curator of the BC Sports Hall of Fame. <Back

< Back Ashley Nichols Ashley Nichols Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Ashley “AK47” Nichols, was known as an Ogijidaa Kwe, warrior woman. From a young age she had a fierce presence. At the age of 12, she discovered boxing with her first coach Rick Peters. From 2008 to 2017, she went to train at MAS Academy of Martial Arts with Kru Chris. This propelled her journey and rise to glory, through countless competitions, tournaments, world titles, reality T.V., film and documentary. Her biography documentary, “Emptying the Tank,” screened at Toronto International Film Festival (T.I.F.F) in 2018. Through her dedication and passion for Muay Thai and MMA, Ashley reached self-actualization and found who she truly was meant to be in the world. Her second home at the Kaewsamrit Gym in Thailand, supported, guided and pushed her to greatness. From 2021-2024, she found herself training at Niagara Top Team and this was a place that Ashley described as a top tier training facility, where she found a supportive team of professional fighters who would become like a family to her. They described her as someone having a passion for combat sports, and her warm welcoming spirit touched the lives of everyone. She was just a kid from the Rez, who had a dream and went all the way from surviving to thriving, holding world titles in Muay Thai and MMA. Upon her passing, she was the reigning and defending BTC fight Strawweight Champion, and the No. 1 ranked Women’s pound for pound fighter in Canada and New York. She also was the LFA 167 straw weight champion. Ashley competed in Kickboxing and Muay Thai, and was also a professional MMA fighter with a 7-4 record. She was expected to return to action in March 2024 at Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship PAWFC 3 at the Nutrient Western Events Centre at Stampede Park. She was a LFA Champion, Glory Kickboxing Champion, BTC Champion, Invicta FC fighter. Ashley was known as the most technical and ferocious female striker that Canada and the world has ever seen. Her legacy will live on through her passion for combat sports and continue to inspire countless First Nations people across Turtle Island. <Back

< Back Maurice “Mo” Smith Maurice “Mo” Smith Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Maurice “Mo” Smith is the Executive Director for the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake (UICSL). Mo is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who grew up in an urban Indian community in Denver, CO. He has been a “friend” to Indian Country for many years, better known for his work and accomplishments while serving as the Executive Director for the Native American Sports Council, a member-organization of the United States Olympic Committee. His passion and inspiration for his work today stems from his identity of a friend to Indian Country, better known for his work with the Native American Sports Council in the area of Sports and Wellness; hosting the largest sports and cultural celebration of North America, the 2006 North American Indigenous Games (7,000+ athletes). Maurice “Mo” Smith is the first documented enrolled tribal member to break the sub-four minute mile with a personal best of 3:55. Mo is from the Navajo Nation and grew up in an urban Indian community in Denver, CO. Mo is a five-time NAIA National Champion in Track & Field (800 & 1,500 Meters) while attending Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Competed in 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Track & Field Trials. Responsible for hosting and administrating the 2006 North American Indigenous Games in Denver, Colorado. Completed five Marathons including the 2021 Boston Marathon in October during Indigenous Peoples Day. Mr. Smith obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Adams State College and a Masters of Arts with a concentration in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. Originally from Colorado, Mr. Smith has lived and worked in various parts of the country including New Mexico, Montana, Arizona, Washington, no residing in Washington DC. His past employment experiences include serving as the Executive Director of the American Indian Business Leaders, the Director of Programs and Government Contracts for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Inc., the Executive Director of the Native American Sports Council, the Program Manager for the United States Olympic Committee and the Development Director of Wings of America. Mountain trail running, play in charity golf tournaments, and spending time with his two children and four grandchildren are a few of his past times. <Back

North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) Banquet Sponsorship Information Saturday, June 12, 2027 Oneida Casino Hotel; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA 2027 Sponsorship Information: The deadline to receive sponsorship payment and copy ready logos is noon central time on May 1, 2027. Payment can be sent to PayPal to code: coach.danninham@midco.net or postal mailed in a check or money order to Empowered Youth Development Initiatives, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, USA, 56671. Contact Dr. Dan Ninham at 218.368.6430 or coach.danninham@gmail.com to receive additional details about the 2027 NAIAHF Banquet sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship provides a Nike blue bag, 2’x4’ banner and gift to attending inductees and helps offset banquet expenses. Note: No one is allowed to use the NAIAHF logo to print on a product without written consent from Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham. Platnum Sponsor $10,000 Six reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 60 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage for the calendar year to the next banquet 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the banquet Announcement of Platinum sponsors at the banquet Gold Sponsor $5,000 Three reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 30 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage to the next banquet 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the banquet Announcement of Gold sponsors at the banquet Silver Sponsor $3,000 Two reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 20 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage to the next banquet 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the banquet Announcement of Silver sponsors at the Banquet Bronze Sponsor $1,000 One reserved VIP banquet table for 10 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage to the next banquet 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the banquet Announcement of Bronze sponsors at the Banquet Hall Of Fame Table Sponsor $800 per 10 seat table 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor Sponsor may designate who will be seated or allow Dr. Dan and Susan to seat people Announcement as a Table Sponsor at the Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsors

< Back Dr. Chuck Foster Dr. Chuck Foster Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Dr. Chuck Foster was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona to the late Harold Y. Foster, who was a Navajo Code Talker and Margaret Foster. He comes from the Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan) born for Dzil’ta’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan) and his grandfather, Ta’baabi’ (Edge Water Clan) and grandmother, Hona’gha’ahii (One Who Walks Around Clan). Marie Foster, his wife of 46 years have four adult children and four grandchildren. He was a distinguished student/athlete from Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. He received his AA Degree from Central Arizona College, his BS Degree from the University of Arizona and his MEd and Doctorate Degrees from Brigham Young University. His experience in teaching at the high school and being a school administrator was met with outstanding achievement awards. He was a three sport all state and state champion athlete in high school and competed at the highest level in Arizona’s most prestigious track & field and cross country meets to win his gold medals. At the collegiate level, he was a four-time Collegiate First Team All-American in both track & field and cross country and was a former NJCAA National three-mile record holder. He was also a four-time Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Champion in track & field and cross country, where he held records both in the mile (4:06) and three-mile (13:56) events. At the D1 level his mile (4:04) and 5,000 meters (13:56) was commendable for a personal and collegiate record. He was coached by George Young, a four-time Olympian. He also competed with the Southern Arizona Track Club to continue his athletic journey before becoming a high school teacher and coach. Because of his accomplishments he has received many prestigious awards as a former athlete, teacher, coach, and school administrator. He was also a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award in Utah, and was inducted into the National American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and Central Arizona Athletic Hall Fame, and has been honored by the Utah State Board of Education for his employment. He also sits on several state education committees and is an advocate for the American Indian populations in Utah. <Back

Brent Reiter Category Athlete Tribe Menominee Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 10/3/1981 Brent Reiter attended Shawano High School in Shawano, Wisconsin from 1996-2000 and excelled in both Cross Country and Track & Field. Reiter was state champion in the 1600m run at the 2000 WIAA State Track & Field Championships and state runner-up at the 1999 WIAA State Cross Country Championships. He was a seven-time state qualifier, six-time sectional champion, ten-time Bay Conference Champion, a seven-time varsity letter winner, school record holder in the 1600m run, and led the Hawks to two straight Bay Conference Cross Country team titles in 1997 and 1998. Reiter was named Shawano High School male athlete of the year in 1999-2000. After graduating from Shawano High School in 2000, Reiter attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico from 2000-2002. He participated in Cross Country, Track & Field, and the Marathon. Reiter was a two-time National Champion, four-time National runner-up, nine-time All-American, an academic All-American, and led SIPI to two straight National Cross Country team titles in 2000 and 2001. Reiter also attended Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky in 2002-2003. He earned First Team All-Conference honors for Cross Country in 2002. Reiter was inducted into the Shawano Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. Home 2027 Banquet 2027 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Shayna Powless Category Athlete Tribe Oneida Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 1/8/1994 Shayna Powless is a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, USA Cycling-certified coach and a professional cyclist for Legion of Los Angeles. She grew up in Roseville, California and currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2016 and was a member of the UCLA cycling team for four years. She co-founded the Dreamcatcher Foundation with her fiance’ Eli Ankou who is a professional football player and member of the Dokis First Nation in Canada. The foundation aims to empower Native youth through sports by providing equipment and camps. The foundation also aims to raise awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls pandemic in North America as well as raise funds for organizations actively fighting this crisis. Shayna has professional race experience in mountain biking, road biking and virtual (Zwift) racing. She also has international experience racing mountain bikes at events such as World Cups, Swiss Cups and Cape Epic (an eight-day stage race in South Africa). Additionally, she has raced professionally on the road in Australia for the Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Road Race. Photos: Dennis Farris and Joe Flannery Home 2027 Banquet 2027 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Eddie Lone Eagle Eddie Lone Eagle Red Lake Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Eddie Lone Eagle grew up on the streets of Minneapolis as a young man and wanted to give his life more meaning by being a part of something much bigger than himself. In 2011 he witnessed local powerlifters at the Los Campeones Gym on Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis and discovered his true calling. Lone Eagle is a citizen of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation, a member of the Eagle Clan, and also a descendant of the White Earth Nation. After finding himself intrigued by the power of lifting, he started powerlifting in 2011 at the Los Campeones Gym. He knew he wanted to be committed to be one, too. In 2013, he won the International Powerlifting League (IPL) World Powerlifting Championships in the 165 lb. weight class with a 529 lb. squat, 352 lb. bench, and a 551 lb. deadlift, with a 1432 lb. total. He became a World Champion in the World Affiliate of United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Federation. In 2020, Lone Eagle was invited to lift at the Pro Day at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. His personal records were 925 lb. squat, 535 lb. bench, and 615 lb. deadlift for a qualifying total of 2075 lbs. in the 220 lb. weight class, qualifying him for the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships in Illinois that following October. His future and main goals in powerlifting are to be invited to lift at the World Powerlifting Organization (WPO). <Back

Eddie Lone Eagle Category Athlete Tribe Red Lake Band of Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 Eddie Lone Eagle grew up on the streets of Minneapolis as a young man and wanted to give his life more meaning by being a part of something much bigger than himself. In 2011 he witnessed local powerlifters at the Los Campeones Gym on Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis and discovered his true calling. Lone Eagle is a citizen of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation, a member of the Eagle Clan, and also a descendant of the White Earth Nation. After finding himself intrigued by the power of lifting, he started powerlifting in 2011 at the Los Campeones Gym. He knew he wanted to be committed to be one, too. In 2013, he won the International Powerlifting League (IPL) World Powerlifting Championships in the 165 lb. weight class with a 529 lb. squat, 352 lb. bench, and a 551 lb. deadlift, with a 1432 lb. total. He became a World Champion in the World Affiliate of United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Federation. In 2020, Lone Eagle was invited to lift at the Pro Day at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. His personal records were 925 lb. squat, 535 lb. bench, and 615 lb. deadlift for a qualifying total of 2075 lbs. in the 220 lb. weight class, qualifying him for the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships in Illinois that following October. His future and main goals in powerlifting are to be invited to lift at the World Powerlifting Organization (WPO). Home 2027 Banquet 2027 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Mark Burnam Category Coach Tribe Mohawk Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 8/30/1961 Mark “Redman” Burnam is truly a rare, unique and influential individual in the sport of lacrosse. Burnam has touched many lives from among his community, his country and around the world by sharing his passion for competition, coaching, and storytelling. His early introduction to lacrosse as a Mohawk child started a life-long relationship that continues to this day as one of the true ambassadors of the sport. With a playing career punctuated by winning, he started by winning the 1980 NYS Lacrosse Championship earning MVP at Henninger High School. Burnam played at Syracuse University and in 1983 won a NCAA D 1 National Championship and in 1984 were Runners-up. Mark has decades of international experience both as a player and a coach. Burnam was a 5-X World team captain with the Iroquois Nationals and was a professional NLL player from 1987-1998 with NJ Saints, Buffalo Bandits winning two World Champions in 1992 and 1993 finishing up with Rochester and finally the Syracuse Smash. Burnam was the head coach at IMG Academy from 2016-19 and he currently is the head coach of the Iroquois Nationals U19 world team. Red has coached both as the head and assistant coach of Iroquois National teams for the past 12 years. Maybe his greatest impact is as a coach is where he continues to influence youth, adolescent, and professional athletes, teaching the meaning and value of the sport as a character-builder for all who choose to play and learn. Burnam’s notable and easily recognizable tough and relentless playing style is exceeded only by his enthusiasm, love, and infectious sense of humor with family, friends, colleagues, and those for whom he forever calls Team. Bio credit: Dan Witmer, quotes legends of lake placid bio Home 2027 Banquet 2027 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More