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Terae Briggs Category Athlete Tribe Crow Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 4/3/1997 Terae Briggs is from Pryor, Montana, and it is on the Crow Reservation. Her Indian name is Brings Spring Water. She belongs to the Ties in the Bundle Clan and is a Child of the Big Lodge Clan. Her parents are Terry Briggs and Janel Spotted Bear, and her grandparents Max and Dorothy Spotted Bear helped raise her. She has five siblings, Crystal Briggs, Joshua Briggs, Marcus Spotted Bear, Kimberly Briggs, and Terrilyn Briggs. Briggs played varsity basketball for four years and graduated from Plenty Coups High School in 2015 as the Valedictorian and served as student council president. She earned first team All State and fist team All District 6C her senior year. She went on to play college basketball at United Tribes Technical College (2015-2016), where she was voted the first-ever Most Valuable Player as a freshman for the basketball program at the Region XIII Tournament. She helped lead the UTTC team to win the District’s and the Regional Basketball Tournament. It was UTTC’s first appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Basketball Tournament. She averaged 22.4 points per game and 12.1 rebounds per game and earned second team NJCAA DII All American honors. She received a full basketball scholarship to the University of Nevada (2016-2019) where she played three years and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies. While playing at the University of Nevada, she tallied 993 points and 692 rebounds. Her total rebounds ranks seventh for program history, her career field goal percentage of 51.2 ranks fourth, and 279 made free throws ranks sixth all time. As a senior she started all 31 games, averaged 13.9 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game, led the team with 10 double-doubles and was named Mountain West All Conference Honorable Mention. Brigg’s went on to play professionally, as a rookie in Sweden for the club Mark Basket until it was shut down mid-season due to COVID-19. She is now playing in Norway for the club Ulriken Eagles. Basketball has taught her so much about life that she can’t wait to share her knowledge and experience with her niece and whomever from my reservation that wants to follow in her path of using basketball as a tool to get a college education. Her goal is to get more opportunities for basketball players who want to further their game. Photos: The University of Nevada Photography and The Ulriken Eagles Photography Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah Category Athlete Tribe Comanche Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 12/3/1978 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. Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt Kiowa Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Administrator 2026 Dr. Joseph “Bud” Sahmaunt left an indelible imprint on Oklahoma City University athletics as a basketball player and later athletic director. Sahmaunt earned most valuable player in the All-College Tournament in 1958 while playing basketball for OCU. After transferring from Cameron (Okla.), Sahmaunt became a member of the OCU basketball team from 1958-60. OCU won the 1958 All-College Tournament and participated in the 1959 National Invitational Tournament. In July 1987, Sahmaunt was named athletic director for OCU and served the university for 13 years as such. Before being named athletic director, Sahmaunt served as professor of education and associate dean of education. During Sahmaunt’s tenure as athletic director, OCU captured 15 NAIA national championships. OCU won national titles in women’s basketball in 1988, 1999 and 2000, men’s basketball in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996, men’s tennis in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and softball in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Sahmaunt hired OCU baseball coach Denney Crabaugh, men’s golf coach Kyle Blaser and softball coach Phil McSpadden. Each led OCU to NAIA championships in their sport. Jim Abbott, who later became OCU athletic director, worked under Sahmaunt from 1991-94 as director of athletic development and promotions. Sahmaunt is a member of OCU’s 1960 graduating class as well as a member of the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame. Sahmaunt was inducted into the hall of fame in November 1981 while working for the university as the dean of an OCU program that linked higher education institutions with the local Native American communities. He is also a member of the Kiowa Nation Hall of Fame, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and was a member of The Oklahoman’s 1950’s all-star basketball team. <Back

< Back Jim "Jake" Maloney Jim "Jake" Maloney Sipe’kneketik First Nation, Nova Scotia, Canada Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jim “Jake” Maloney is a Karate Master Rank and 10th Degree Black Belt training uninterrupted for 55 years beginning in 1963. Jim is the first person in Canada to reach the rank of Black belt in Uechi Ryu Karate, in 1967, and in 1970 brought Uechi Ryu Karate to Canada. Jim grew up in Sipe’kneketik First Nation, Nova Scotia, Canada. At the young age of 16, Jim moved to Boston, Massachusetts and he soon found the Mattson Academy of Karate. The Academy was the founder of Uechi Ryu in the United States and when George Mattson took Jim in under his care, Jim found exactly what he was looking for. Jim studied alongside some of the most decorated competitors in the sport. Jim’s first instructor was Van Canna, one of the top tournament competitors in the Northeastern United States. Jim trained under George Mattson, when Mattson singled him out and provided special attention to his training. Jim began and quickly became, “one of the top kumite competitors”. Jim was an undefeated New England champion in free fighting and cement breaking competitions (1967 -1973). As an official representative to Okinawa, Japan for Canada in the Uechi Ryu Karate Association, Jim has trained more than 16,000 students internationally spanning over four decades, while developing and training hundreds of fighting champions on full contact basis. Jim Maloney has organized and operate the first independent, all Aboriginal training institute in Canada named the First Nation Tribal Justice Institute. The Institute is responsible for training hundreds of First Nation peoples across Canada. Jim Maloney is a living legend, having already been recognized, honored and inducted into the Mi’kmaq Sports Hall of Fame in 2016, the Canadian Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2018 and the East Hants Sport Hall of Fame in 2020. <Back

7G Foundation Category Tribe Builder Year Inducted 2022 Established 2019 The 7G Foundation was founded by Bennae Calac, an enrolled member of Pauma Band of Luseno Indian of Pauma Valley, California. Bennae started 7G to inspire leadership in youth through education, athletics, culture and real-world support for the next seven generations. The Indigenous Bowl is 7G’s signature event that is held annually. In 2020 the Indigenous Bowl was paused due to the global pandemic. However, in December 2021 the 4th Indigenous Bowl was played at the US Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings. In 2021, the Indigenous Bowl had 54 Native American high school football players representing 30 tribes from California to British Columbia. For many of the players it was the first time they had travelled outside their state. Stepping into a professional sports stadium not as a spectator but as a skilled player was life changing for these young athletes and as some expressed “a dream come true.” The 7G Foundation is committed to giving young Native American athletes visibility and providing pathways to reach their highest potential in high school, college and beyond. The unique aspect of the 7G foundation is celebrating and honoring the Native American heritage and culture of each of the athletes. Creating safe places that inspire the athletes to thrive has been the bedrock of 7G Foundation. Photo: Mom (left) and daughter at the US Bank Stadium. Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Nicole Johnson Category Athlete Tribe Inupiaq Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 5/20/1969 Nicole Johnson’s passion for Inuit games started in fifth grade when she learned how to do the Two-Foot High Kick after church in a youth program. Inuit games are games that were played to build the survival skills Indigenous people of the North played to develop the skills need for everyday survival and just for fun. In seventh grade, Nicole entered her first competition at the 1982 Native Youth Olympics (NYO), taking first place in the Two-Foot High Kick. She continued to compete through high school, at NYO, the World Eskimo Indian Olympics (WEIO), and the Arctic Winter Games (AWG). After high school she continued to compete until 2004, over the years winning over 100 medals, earning the outstanding athlete award, and sportsmanship award, at various competitions. She has set records in several events over the years, setting her first record in the Two-Foot High Kick at the 1985 NYO and continued to break her record until the 1989 WEIO, kicking 6’6”. This record held for 25 years. Her record in the Two-Foot High Kick at AWG, still holds at 6’5”. In 2017, Nicole was inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, as an athlete and ambassador to Native Games. Nicole is the former chairwoman of WEIO, and current President of AWG Team Alaska. Nicole currently works with the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, coaching youth, training officials, assists with organizing the statewide Native Youth Olympics competitions, and acting as the head official for many different competitions. Her passion for the Inuit games continues by sharing and preserving the rich history and culture of these sports through coaching, instruction at schools, throughout Alaska, the lower 48, and the Yukon territories. Photo: Cook Inlet Tribal Council Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

About Introduction: The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) honors and recognizes the indigenous sport cultures of 27 countries of North America by recognizing outstanding leadership and achievement in individual and team athletics. By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of the annually inducted individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics and life. Nomination Process: Nominations for individuals and teams to be considered for induction into the annual North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame are accepted throughout the course of the year until the October 21st noon central time deadline. Nominations are accepted for individuals or teams in the following categories: • Athlete • Coach • Team • Builder • Media • Official • Trainer Inductee eligibility: Inductees are recognized and honored, past and present, as Indigenous to North America including but not limited to Tribal, First Nation, Métis, Inuit including federally recognized and self-identified descendant in the listed categories throughout the year. Inductee’s may also be considered who are indigenous to North America and compete outside of North American and those who are indigenous outside of North America and compete in North America. The inductee’s credentials need to include being at the highest state, provincial, region, national or international sport recognition, and/or being recognized in college or professional athletic realms. To receive a nomination form or for additional information, contact Dr. Dan Ninham at 218.368.643 0 (text preferred) or coach.danninham@gmail.com . The annual nomination deadline is noon central time on October 21st for the next year induction. Induction Recognition: There will be an in-person banquet to be announced. There will not be a hall of fame facility. Each inductee will receive a certificate and in person banquet inductees may receive additional gift/s. There will be a school curriculum developed to continue sharing the legacies of inductees. The induction announcement will be made on January 2nd of the year of each induction class year.

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 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Kelvin Sampson <Back Lumbee Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2022 Kelvin Sampson (Lumbee, North Carolina) is a 33-year head coaching veteran at Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma, Washington State and Montana Tech. Sampson has compiled a 681-336 record during his career. He has led his teams to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 11 in 12 years with the Sooners from 1994 to 2006. During his Oklahoma tenure, he guided the Sooners to 10 consecutive 20-win seasons, the 1999 Sweet 16, the 2002 Final Four and an Elite Eight appearance in 2003. Sampson is one of only 15 coaches in NCAA history to lead 4+ schools to the NCAA Tournament. With the Cougars’ run to the 2021 NCAA Final Four, Sampson became one of only 16 coaches to lead multiple schools to the Final Four. In only seven seasons at Houston, Sampson is the only coach in school history to lead the Cougars to six consecutive 20-win seasons and became the second-winningest coach in program history during the 2020-21 season. He already ranks as the school’s career leader with a .723 winning percentage. In his career, he has been named a National Coach of the Year four times. Sampson has received six conference Coach of the Year awards from four different leagues and guided every program he has led to multiple 20-win seasons during his stints. As a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, Sampson is the first and only Native American basketball coach to lead a program to the Final Four with the Oklahoma Sooners 2002 and Houston Cougars 2021.

Neal Powless Category Athlete Tribe Onondaga Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 10/27/1974 Neal Powless played for the Iroquois Nationals in 6 World Lacrosse Championships and made the tournament’s ALL-World Team as an Attackman in 2002 and won a Silver Medal in 2003. Mr. Powless is a Professional (1), NCAA (1) and Canadian (3) National Champion. He was a 3x All-American at Nazareth College and held the Single Season goals (57 in 15 games) record for 18 years, which is still second all-time even though the seasons are now 18 games. Neal played professionally for 7 seasons amassing 53 goals and 39 assists in 41 games. Neal is the current Head Coach of the Men’s Dutch National Box Lacrosse Team that is ranked #8 in the World. He began coaching the Netherlands in 2014-16, where they finished #17 in the World and #7 in Europe in Field lacrosse. In 2017 he transitioned to box lacrosse where they progressed from #17 in Europe to their current World rank. Neal was inducted into the Nazareth College Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the US Lacrosse, CNY Chapter Hall of Fame in 2017, one of the most prestigious chapters in the USA. He also produced the Major Motion Picture Crooked Arrows, which featured lacrosse. Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Kelly Babstock Kelly Babstock Anishinaabe from the Unceded Territory of Wikwemikong Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Kelly Babstock fell in love with hockey at a very young age, her desire and want to play the sport grew naturally. Kelly always made it very clear to her parents how much she loved the sport before even knowing how to play it. It was when she asked her father to take her out skating, without ever skating before. She put on her first pair of skates and naturally glided on the ice and that was the night where Kelly Babstock took her first step in becoming the natural born athlete she is today. Kelly is a native to Toronto, Ontario. Once she became of age she joined the Jr. league and she had started her career with the Toronto Jr. Aeros, and continued on to Quinnipiac University. In her four years with the team she would become the program’s all-time leader in goals (95), assists (108) and points (203). She helped lead the team to their first NCAA tournament berth in program history and was also the finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award. After her collegiate career, Kelly would move to the professional ranks and join the Connecticut Whale of the NWHL in 2015, and be named to the 2017 and 2018 NWHL All-Star games. She is currently playing in her seventh season in the league with the Metropolitan Riveters. Kelly was featured in Sports Illustrated following her outstanding college hockey career. Kelly was inducted into the LNHL Hall of Fame. Kelly has always been an inspiration for the indigenous community by having hockey camps and creating awareness on her social media platforms. With Kelly’s continuous growth she strives to create a stronger Indigenous platform, influencing the youth to find their love for the sport and to flourish from it. <Back

Michael Thomas Category Official Tribe St. Croix Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 4/21/1955 Michael Thomas is a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) basketball official for 27 years, officiating the State Tournament for 11 years with two championship games. He started officiating basketball for all Native American basketball tournaments and quickly worked his way to MSHSL and up to the varsity level. The highlight of his career is officiating for Native youth that make it to the State Tournament. Michael has been involved in many different sports as a player himself, coach or official. Personal highlights include winning the State Championship in boxing and on to Nationals in Reno Nevada. Scoring 67 points in a single basketball game at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. Coaching his grandkids and great grandkids in multiple sports, with many championship trophies to prove it. Michael served in the US Army for three years and has done honor guard at Pow Wows as a veteran. He sang on his father’s drum, Minneapolis Ojibwe, with his brothers for many years, he is an avid deer hunter and was a postal carrier for 32 years. Michel is most proud of the family he raised with his wife, Debra who he has been married to for 46 years. Home 2026 Banquet About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More