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Tanner Albers Category Athlete Tribe Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/12/1977 - 2/2/2010 Tanner Albers was a team captain for the 1994 and 1995 Boys Basketball Teams at Takini High in South Dakota. In both of those years he was the team’s leading scorer, earning All-State and All-Tournament honors while leading the Skyhawks to back-to-back state tournament appearances. He was also a team captain for the 1997-98 United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) Thunderbirds where he led them to the school’s first Junior College National Tournament appearance. That year he earned 1st Team Mon-Dak All-Region, Mon-Dak Region 8 Player of the Year, and was the school’s first, 1st Team All-American. Tanner is currently still the school’s all-time leading scorer UTTC. Tanner played for the Division I Delaware State University Hornets for the 1998-99 season and finished up his collegiate basketball career at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. Up until his passing in 2010, Tanner had traveled across North America, playing in many basketball tournaments with teams Iron 5, Iron Boy, Rim Rats, Pure Method, and many others. He would often receive MVP, All-Star, and others honors because of his amazing scoring and shooting talents. He had the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level and was a co-creator of HOOPGOD Basketball Camps. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Angelo Baca Category Athlete Tribe Diné/Hopi Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/13/1980 Angelo Baca is a cultural activist, scholar, filmmaker and currently a doctoral student in anthropology at New York University. He is the cultural resources coordinator at Utah Diné Bikéyah , a nonprofit organization dedicated to the defense and protection of culturally significant ancestral lands. The National Parks Conservation Association recently designated him as one of “10 Under 40” dynamic cultural activists who make up the association’s Next Generation Advisory Council. He has published a widely read op-ed in the New York Times. Shash Jaa’: Bears Ears is Angelo Baca’s latest award-winning film about the five tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition that worked together to protect 1.9 million acres of Utah wilderness through a national monument designation. His work reflects a long-standing dedication to both Western and Indigenous knowledge. Baca is also the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Champion in Cross Country and on the outdoor track in the 3000 meters steeplechase and 5000 meters in 2002-03. He also is a seven-time NJCAA All American in Cross Country, Track and the Half Marathon. Currently, he is training for trail races and long distances runs across Indigenous landscapes in Navajo country. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Kelvin Sampson Category Coach Tribe Lumbee Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 10/5/1955 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. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

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 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Delby Powless Category Athlete Tribe Mohawk Year Inducted 2022 Delby Powless is member of the Mohawk Nation. He is a Youth Counselor in his home community, Six Nations of the Grand River, in Ontario, Canada. He graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelors degree in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice and from Wilfred Laurier University in Children’s Mental Health. In high school Powless participated in multiple sports including lacrosse, hockey, football and wrestling. In wrestling he was a Provincial Champion and a Canadian National Silver Medalist. Powless played five seasons with the Six Nations Junior A Arrows lacrosse club and is currently the franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 686 total points. While attending Herkimer County Community College, Powless was twice named All-American. He transferred to D1 Rutgers University where he led the Scarlet Knights in scoring both years and was a 2x All-American, while leading Rutgers to 2 NCAA tournament appearances. Powless also won a Canadian University lacrosse championship with Brock University and was named All-Canadian. Powless represented the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team as a player at six World Championships, and at the first-ever World Indoor Lacrosse Championships, he was selected to the All-World Team. In 2003 Powless was named the recipient of the Tom Longboat Award as Canada’s Top Aboriginal Athlete. He was drafted 1st overall in the 2004 National Lacrosse League entry draft by the Buffalo Bandits and helped them win the Champions Cup in 2008. Powless also played in Major League Lacrosse with Toronto Nationals winning the Steinfeld Cup in 2009. Powless was the head coach of Hagersville Secondary School Men’s Lacrosse teams for 8 seasons leading them to 5 consecutive Provincial Championships. He also coached the Iroquois Nationals U-19 Men’s Lacrosse team at the 2012 World Championships to a Bronze medal in Turku, Finland. Powless recently released his first novel about lacrosse titled “Medicine Game”. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

David Powless Category Athlete Tribe Oneida Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 5/29/43 David Powless’ high school football team was the undefeated Illinois State Champions of 1960. He was an All State offensive tackle. He received college football scholarship offers. He chose the Oklahoma University (OU). He left OU as a sophomore and went to the University of Illinois and played offensive guard on the University of Illinois Big 10 and Rose Bowl Championship team in 1964. In 1965 as a graduating senior he was drafted in the National Football League (NFL) by the New York Giants and also by the American Football League (AFL) by the Kansas Chiefs. He was with the New York Giants one year and then went to the Washington Redskins his second year. That year he had a spinal injury requiring surgery that ended his football career. Powless worked for Native American tribes including his Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. He also owned several personal businesses. His expertise was in economic development. In 1983 he received an award in the “White House Rose Garden” from Vice President of the United States George Bush for the development of recycling technology. In 2008 he was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame for his athletic contributions. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

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Sunnie R. Clahchischilgi Category Media Tribe Diné (Navajo) 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. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Jim Neilson Category Athlete Tribe Big River First Nation Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 11/28/1941 - 11/6/2020 Jim Neilson was one of the first Indigenous superstars in the sport of hockey, playing in the National Hockey League for 16 seasons. Born in Big River, Saskatchewan and raised at an orphanage in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Neilson honed his hockey skills through his youth. At 17 he played Junior A with the Prince Albert Mintos in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. He made his professional debut at 19 for the Kitchener-Waterloo Beavers of the Eastern Professional Hockey League, named the league’s top rookie in 1962. That fall he joined the New York Rangers of the NHL for the next 12 seasons. He was named the Rangers top defenseman in 1966 and was runner-up to Bobby Orr for the Norris Trophy (top defenseman) in 1967-68. Neilson and the Rangers lost in the 1972 Stanley Cup Final to Boston in 6 games. In 1974 he was traded to the California Golden Seals, where he was named team captain and Team MVP in 1975-76. Neilson finished his NHL career with the Cleveland Barons for 2 seasons, where he again was the team captain. He was the team nominee for the Bill Masterton Award presented to the player who depicts perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication. His professional career concluded in 1978-79 when he played with the Edmonton Oilers in the World Hockey Association where he was a teammate of 17 year-old Wayne Gretzky. In 1,023 regular season NHL games, Neilson had 69 goals and 299 assists and was named to 4 NHL All Star Teams. Jim Neilson was inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

Maurice “Mo” Smith Category Athlete Tribe Navajo Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 11/20/1962 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. His 1990 Steve Prefontaine Mile winning sub-4:00 minute race is located here: Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) Banquet Sponsorship Information Saturday, May 30th, 2026 Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA 2026 Sponsorship Information: The deadline to receive sponsorship payment and copy ready logos is noon central time on May 1, 2026. 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 2026 NAIAHF Banquet sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship provides a Nike red bag, 2’x4’ banner and gift to attending inductees. 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 $7,500 Five reserved VIP banquet tables for 10 per table and 50 total Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage Logo and website link on the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame webpage 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session 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 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session 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 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session 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 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor One sponsor spokesperson will speak for five minutes at the afternoon banquet session Announcement of Bronze sponsors at the Banquet Hall Of Fame Table Sponsor $400 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 Hall of Fame Banquet Drawing Prize Sponsor $500+ retail value of drawing prizes 2’x4’ banner at the banquet and property of the sponsor Announcement as a Drawing Sponsor at the Banquet 2025 Sponsors

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.