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< Back Alissa Pili Alissa Pili Inupiaq/Samoan Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Alissa Pili was born in Anchorage, AK in June 2001. On her mother’s side, Alissa is of Inupiaq descent, from the North Slope region of Alaska. On her father’s side, she is of Samoan descent, rooting from the village of Aua, American Samoa. For the first seven years of her life, she lived in Utqiagvik, aka Barrow, the northernmost city in the United States. Alissa spent the rest of her childhood in Anchorage, where she enjoyed outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing and playing sports. Alissa compiled 13 state titles during her athletic career at Dimond High School including four in volleyball, four in shot put, two in discus, two in basketball, and one in wrestling. She was named the Max Preps National Female Athlete of the Year two years in a row, and is a three-time Gatorade Player of the Year for girls’ basketball. She went on to play basketball for the University of Southern California, where she was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Injuries were an issue during sophomore and junior year, and she felt like she needed a new start, so she entered the transfer portal and landed at the University of Utah. From there, her career took off, earning Pac-12 player of the year and all Pac-12 honors her first year with the Utes and she led her team to the conference title. In her second year as a Ute, during a showcase game featuring the #1 South Carolina Gamecocks, she scored 37 points with WNBA scouts in attendance, and her WNBA draft stock soared. She was drafted #8 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft to the Minnesota Lynx, and landed an endorsement deal with Nike’s Indigenous focused N7 brand, where she was the face of their 2024 Native American Heritage Month campaign. Alissa looks forward to her continued success in the WNBA and being a representative of not only the Native American and Polynesian communities around the world, but to all who love women’s sports and aspire to uplift one another. <Back

Dr. Rosalin Miles Lytton First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back Dr. Rosalin Miles is a member of the Lytton First Nation and is known in her native language as Maaj meaning "first light of day". She is a pivotal figure in advancing Indigenous sports on both national and international stages as the Founder and Executive Director of the Indigenous Physical Activity and Cultural Circle (IPACC). Miles organized 10 National Indigenous Physical Activity and Wellness Conferences, and 11 Active Spirit Walk and Runs. These events have fostered a robust network for Indigenous athletes and sports enthusiasts, promoting cultural exchange and athletic excellence. Recognized by the House of Commons and honored with Vancouver Quadra’s Hidden Hero Award, Miles’ dedication to IPACC underscores her commitment to elevating the profile of Indigenous sports. Her role at the University of British Columbia (UBC) as a Research Associate and Indigenous Scholar in the Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology program further amplified this commitment. Miles earned her Master’s degree in Human Kinetics and became the first First Nations kinesiologist. Miles’ Master’s degree expertise, particularly in the physiological and psychological aspects of soccer, benefited teams like the UBC women’s soccer team where she worked as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and at the University of Central Florida (UCF) for their women’s soccer team. She received the UBC Alumni Award for Volunteer Leadership, and the Robert Small Boy Award “Heroes of Our Time” Scholarships from the Assembly of First Nations. As a Director for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in British Columbia and Florida, Miles played a critical role in supporting CSCS accreditation recognized by the NSCA Bronze Award. Her doctoral studies at UCF in Education, combined with her Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management provided her skills to lead and inspire in the field of sports management and education. Miles’ experience as a strength and conditioning coach at UCF, and later at University High School in Florida, where she broke barriers as one of the first female Indigenous football coaches in Florida, highlighted her pioneering spirit. She also received the NSCA High School Professional of the Year for the United States. At the University of Arizona she worked with the men’s baseball and women’s volleyball teams, and volunteered with Olympic and professional athletes. Miles competed in softball in Japan, as a champion in BC and National powerlifting, and as a fitness competitor at both the USA and World Nova Fitness challenges. Dr. Rosalin Miles work has enhanced the visibility and success of Indigenous coaches, athletes, and researchers, and has also forged lasting connections and opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding in the world of sports.

Jason G. Montoya <Back Santa Ana Pueblo Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2025 Growing up on the Pueblo of Santa Ana located in central New Mexico along the Rio Grande River, Jason Montoya learned the sport of golf at the age of eight years old. His passion grew as the years moved on and Montoya started taking lessons during his eighth grade year and never looked back. Golf opened many doors for Montoya taking him on his journey to the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports, Leisure and Recreation Management, and Professional Golf Management. In 2012 he earned his PGA Class A membership to the Professional Golfers Association of America. Montoya was the first Pueblo to receive his PGA Class A membership, and he focused on growing the sport of golf to youth. In 2019 Montoya received the PGA Award of Youth Player Development in the Sun Country Section and was recognized as one of Golf Digest Magazine’s Best Teachers in the State. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons Montoya coached varsity golf at Albuquerque Academy, with both boys and girls teams winning State Championships. Montoya left the program to focus on his golf school at Santa Ana Golf Club. His coaching led 15 student athletes to earn golf scholarships to universities. He also became the Captain of Team New Mexico, and the team placed in the top 10 in the Junior Americas Cup between 2020 and 2024. Montoya has coached free golf camps to community members of tribes who own courses including Talking Stick (Salt River Pima), WeKoPa (Yavapai), Turning Stone (Oneida), Whirlwind (Gila River) and Twin Warrior (Santa Ana Pueblo). He developed a partnership withthe Nike N7 Sports Experience and was a Nike N7 Ambassador who has been a part of the golf initiative since 2016. In 2023 Nike N7 Day of Inspiration was held at his home course (Twin Warriors) for the PGA Professional National Championship featured on the Golf Channel network highlighting Montoya’s golf journey.

< Back Ayanna O’Kimosh Ayanna O’Kimosh Oneida/Menominee/Arikara Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Ayanna “Naenwehtawukiw-Warrior Woman” O’Kimosh is from Keshena, Wisconsin and she is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation and descendent of the Menominee and Arikara Nations. She is a freshman at the Shawano Community High School in Wisconsin. She began a journey in boxing in 2018 with the Menominee Indian Boxing Club. As an amateur boxer, she won two Junior Olympic State Championships, two Silver Gloves State Championships, is a Silver Gloves National Champion and is a 2x USA Boxing National Champion. In addition to her love of boxing, she spends a lot of her time training and playing softball for Impact Sports Academy’s in De Pere, Wisconsin. Living up to her Menominee name, she is a warrior spirit who represents resiliency in her tribal nations Oneida-Menominee-Arikara. Her platform inside and outside of the ring is to fight to bring attention and awareness to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls/people epidemic that plagues Native American communities throughout the United States and Canada. Her motivation in fighting is to demonstrate that resiliency by breaking down barriers and challenging the statistics, injustices, to change the narrative for future generations by being a positive role model for other native youth. She chose to focus her platform on awareness and supports prevention efforts fundraising to support much needed community resources aimed to reduce the risk for women and girls. Some notable awareness work includes local and national collaborative events with professional women boxers including local and international interviews, presentations, keynoting for 2021 Girls Summit and using her social media to spread the word. When she is not at the boxing gym training or at the softball complex training, she enjoys some of her other favorites such as reading, singing, playing the guitar, painting, baking, creating art and crocheting. <Back

< Back Henry Boucha Henry Boucha Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 While growing up in Warroad, Minnesota, Henry Boucha played on the 1964 Bantam State Championship team, was all-conference in football, baseball, and hockey and was three-time All-State in hockey. Boucha graduated in 1969 from Warroad High School. The Warroad Warriors were runner-up at 1969 Minnesota Boys State Hockey Tournament. He signed with the Winnipeg Jets of the WCHL after high school. As an 18-year old, Boucha was chosen to represent the USA in the 1970 World Championships in Bucharest, Romania. In 1970, he was drafted in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He served two years in the Army while playing with the 1971 US World Championship Team and competing in the 1971 World Championships in Bern and Geneva Switzerland. In 1971 the Detroit Red Wings drafted him 16th overall. Still in the service he also played for the US Olympic Team in 1972 in Sapporo, Japan winning a silver medal. Boucha was the first draft choice of the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the new World Hockey Association just after the Olympics. He signed with the Detroit Red Wings in the 1971-72 season and played the last 16 games with Detroit. In 1973, he scored the fastest goal at the start of the game against the Montreal Canadians. Boucha was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in the summer of 1974. He suffered a major eye injury on January 4, 1975 when Dave Forbes of the Boston Bruins hit him with his stick resulting in a devastating and career ending eye injury. Boucha retired in 1977 as a 25-year-old. He returned to Warroad in the mid 80’s to raise his family. Henry coached youth hockey, was Indian Education Director at Warroad Public Schools, and was a realtor. He is the CEO of Boucha Films, LLC, and CEO of Boucha Films LTD, Canada. Boucha Films is currently in pre-production on the movie based on his book he authored called “Henry Boucha, Ojibwa-Native American Olympian”. <Back

< Back Ron Powless Ron Powless Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Ron Powless was born on March 17, 1931, in Milwaukee Wisconsin and passed away September 9, 2011, in Marietta, GA while enroute to his winter home in Ft. Myers, FL. His father was Merville Powless from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. His mother, Jesse Snow Powless, was from the Red Lake Chippewa Nation. Ron, the oldest of three brothers, was highly motivated and an athletically talented youth. He played high school football at Morgan Park, Chicago, IL and Washington High School, Milwaukee, WI. His success as a receiver and punter led to his recruitment and scholarship offers. Ron attended Indiana University on an athletic scholarship playing football for the Hoosiers in the Big Ten. Following his time at Indiana, Ron served in the military stationed in Tokyo, Japan, where he was selected to the U.S. Army All-Star football team and played in the first American football game in Tokyo Stadium against the Marine All-Star’s. After his time in the military and playing for the U.S. Army All-Star football team, he continued his education in Mexico City at Mexico City College and later graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Marketing and Economics. Ron’s competitive nature led to successful careers with companies like Xerox and Itek before founding his own corporation, International Data Systems. His success allowed him to contribute to American Indian causes and enjoy homes in Wisconsin and Florida. Ron’s legacy lives on as he had a son and daughter both of whom followed him with successful careers and healthy families. <Back

< Back The Richards/Rush Sisters The Richards/Rush Sisters Mvskoke Creek Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 The Richards/Rush sisters have all competed and won national titles in the sport of competitive cheer. Competing at the highest level, they have trained countless hours for years to earn national titles at the All-Star National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) and The Summit. Gabrielle’s (Gabby) athletic career began in Miami, FL at Top Gun All Stars. While at Top Gun she earned three national titles. In her senior year, she moved to Tulsa, OK and competed on the Super Varsity team at Union High School. More than just the titles, Gabby’s athletic career set the bar for her younger sisters in the sport of cheer and inspired them to follow in her footsteps. Today, Gabby continues to inspire and coaches at Cheer Athletics Frisco. Giselle (Gigi) and Danielle (Dani) began tumbling training in Tulsa, OK at the ages of nine and ten at Luxe Athletics. In 2017, accomplished one of the most difficult of feats, by winning both an NCA title and The Summit. Gigi went on to cheer at the University of Oklahoma, and both cheered at the Worlds level (the highest level) at Cheer Athletics Plano, the largest cheer gym in the world. Isabelle (Izzy) began training at age nine. In 2021, she tried out for Cheer Athletics Plano. With Cheer Athletics Plano, she won NCA in 2024 and won The Summit in 2023 and 2024. In the 2024/2025 season she was placed on a Worlds level team, where she competes today. She was offered 15 college cheer scholarships but hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps and cheer at the University of Oklahoma. Annabelle (Anna) is the youngest and has quite literally been cheering almost as long as she has been walking. Her sisters have taught her flying by putting her up in the air and teaching her flexibility. According to her coaches, she is the most flexible flyer at Cheer Athletics Plano, and fearless in the air. Anna has already won three NCA titles in her young career and placed third at The Summit in 2024 out of 63 teams. <Back

< Back Edison Eskeets Edison Eskeets Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Builder 2023 Edison Eskeets is an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribal Nation. He attended and received diplomas from Haskell Indian Junior College, Kansas, and Bradley University, Illinois. A First Team All-American Runner, invested in Native traditional education composed with the mainstream educational school system at large. Edison taught at the Orme School, an international school, and the Native American Preparatory School serving in the following capacities: Chair of the Fine Arts, Teaching the Arts and Humanities, Coaching Track & Field and Cross Country, Academic Dean, Associate Head of School, Head of School. In addition, he served as the Executive Director on behalf of Wings of America, serving Native youth programs throughout Indian Country. Edison made every effort in making a difference within Native communities and went beyond boundaries: fundraising, grant writing, lectures, presentation of Native Arts, collaborating programs with colleges/communities, and seeking funds from government, foundations, corporations, individual donors, state funds, and tribal funds. It is vital to maintain the goodness of all indigenous societies including culture, language, ceremonies, food, and underscoring the history of the Americas, from Chile to Alaska. At one time, there were over 80 million indigenous population in the Americas and today’s count is almost 6 million. Therefore, Education, Athletics, Native programs, Higher Education, Funds, and Leadership must be nurtured. His final employment was under the Hubbell Trading Post at Ganado, Arizona operated by the Western National Parks Association. He is the first Navajo trader to manage the Hubbell Trading Post, the oldest continuously operating trading post on the Navajo reservation. This environment included education of Native arts: metal smithing, rug weaving, wood carving, painting, pottery, leather works, and trading items with fellow customers. Currently, he is promoting a new book titled “Send a Runner,” a book illustrating the history of the southwest embodied with Native traditional ultra-running. Photo Credits: Joseph Kayne and Fairfield Half Marathon (CT) <Back

< Back Eddie Rogers Eddie Rogers Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2026 While driving through Walker, Minnesota, countless drivers pass a bronze bust statue outside the courthouse not knowing it is there. It is Eddie Rogers. Eddie Rogers was born in Libby, Minnesota on April 14, 1876, near the site of the 1850 Sandy Lake Tragedy. His father was a pioneer lumberman and mother was Ojibwe. His Ojibwe name was Ay-Nay-Way-We-Dung translated to Echo in the Woods. Rogers attended Carlisle Institute in 1897, one of the first boarding schools that were determined to erase the ethnic identity of native students and assimilate them into American citizens. Rogers began playing football at Carlisle and quickly rose to star athlete status and served as team captain in 1900. In 1901 Rogers came home to Minnesota and enrolled in law school at the University of Minnesota. He joined the football team and was named captain in 1903. During the same season the Golden Gophers had an 11-0-1 record winning the Big Ten title and Rogers was named third- team All-America. The next season Rogers returned to Carlisle as head coach and had a 9-2 record. He was there one season and again came home to Minnesota and in 1905 he coached the College of St. Thomas football team to a 14-9-1 record. In 1907 his team was undefeated at 7-0. Rogers soon began his longtime law career. In 1910, he was elected Cass County attorney, a position he held for over 45 years. In 1912, he was elected as the chief of a council including 10 Ojibwe tribes. He served as the vice president of the National Council of Indian Affairs and was a charter member of the National Congress of American Indians. Rogers had a 62 year career in law retiring at age 90. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968 and in the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973. <Back

Terry Ware <Back Kiowa Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2026 Terry Ware has been a classroom teacher and coach for over 37 years coaching high school basketball, baseball, football, track and field, and cross country at Riverside Indian School in Oklahoma. During his 37 years at Riverside, he has coached 20 high school All-State selections including one high school All-American in Track and Field and Cross-Country and coached 15 Oklahoma Class All-Stars in track and field, baseball, and basketball. He has 200 total wins across multiple sports, 25 State Tournament appearances, 23 District Championships, and 16 Regional Championships. He has assisted with sending 21 athletes to NCAA Division II and III programs, 25 to NAIA schools, and 14 to junior colleges on athletic scholarships. As the associate head coach for the Riverside Indian School Special Olympics boys basketball team, which he helped build the program, he won nine high school Special Olympics state championships from 1989-1998. He also coached Team Oklahoma’ Special Olympics All-Native American high school team in the 1998 World Games in North Carolina. Along with being a teacher/coach on the field, he has served as an elementary classroom teacher, tutor, and faculty sponsor who has been instrumental in guiding and serving as a mentor to Native youth in all grades. As a mentor and knowledge keeper, Terry Ware is instrumental in providing weekly pow wow singing and lessons to the local community as a way to guide and provide critical Indigenous knowledge for our up-and-coming Native youth leaders.

Gary Sargent Category Athlete Tribe Red Lake Ojibwe Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 2/18/1954 Gary played and excelled in sports at the high school, college and professional levels. At Bemidji High School in Bemidji, MN, Gary was an NCAA DI prospect in football, baseball, and hockey. He turned down an offer from the Minnesota Twins baseball team after high school graduation to pursue a career in hockey. Gary played hockey at Bemidji State College for one year. During this time Gary was named to the World Cup team and played collegiate hockey in Graz, Austria. This team won a silver medal. He was named a college All American while playing at Bemidji State College. Gary played junior hockey with the Fargo Moorhead Sugar Kings for one year before turning professional. He played in the American Hockey League before joining the Los Angeles Kings for three seasons. In 1977 Gary signed with the Minnesota North Stars and played there until his retirement from professional hockey in 1983. During his tenure with the North Stars he was selected to the NHL All Star Team twice, and played in 402 games in the NHL. Home Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Charles and William Martin Charles and William Martin Lac Vieux Desert Band of Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 On June 29, 2024, Charles Martin and his father, William Martin, reached the summit of Mount Rainier, standing 14,411 feet above sea level. For them, this achievement was about much more than simply conquering one of the most challenging mountains in the United States. It was a shared journey that tested their endurance and strengthened the bond between father and son. Charles had long sought to challenge himself physically and mentally. Climbing Mount Rainier with his father became the perfect opportunity to do so. Their preparation for the climb spanned months, with both Charles and William dedicating time to mastering the essential skills of mountaineering. From learning how to navigate crevasses to enduring the unpredictable weather conditions, they worked tirelessly together, becoming not only physically stronger but also more attuned to each other’s strengths. Climbing Mount Rainier was as much about teamwork as it was about personal determination, and for Charles and William, it was the ultimate test of both. Summit day began in the early hours, long before the sun rose. Together, they navigated the steep, icy slopes and the physically demanding conditions that tested their limits. With each step, the mental and physical toll grew, but the presence of each other fueled their determination. As the first light of day broke across the mountain, they knew they were close to achieving their goal. When Charles and William finally stood at the summit, it was a moment of shared triumph. The journey to the top had been grueling, but their bond had been strengthened along the way. For the Martins, standing on top of Mount Rainier was not just a personal victory but also a symbol of the connection they had forged through the challenges they overcame together. For Charles and William Martin, the summit of Mount Rainier will forever remain a powerful reminder of perseverance, teamwork, and the unforgettable adventure they experienced as father and son. <Back