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Kathy Smith Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Builder 2024 <Back A member of the Mohawk Nation, Sha’tekariwate turtle clan, and raised on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Canada, Kathy Smith was inspired by her father’s involvement in minor sports at Six Nations, and the lack of opportunities for girls to play sports when she was growing up. Her lacrosse journey began with Six Nations Girls Field Lacrosse, where she held positions from coach to house league convenor to Vice President. In 2006, Smith entered the international arena as a member of the Haudenosaunee Women’s Lacrosse (HWL) Board, formed to take women’s field lacrosse teams to play in World Championships. When the original Board was dismantled after the 2007 U19 World Championship, Smith was asked to create a new Board in 2008. A new aspect of Smith’s lacrosse journey began as the Chairperson of the HWL Board, eventually evolving into the Executive Director of the Haudenosaunee Nationals Board of Directors (HNBOD). From 2008 to 2021, she led the Haudenosaunee women to World Cups in 2009, 2013 and 2017 and U19 World Championships in 2011 and 2019. A journey with challenges and lessons, the biggest challenge was the U19 women being denied entry into Scotland to play in the 2015 World Championship. Learning the lessons of perseverance, believing in possibilities, and doing the necessary work, the Haudenosaunee women travelled to England on Haudenosaunee passports in 2017 to play in the World Cup. By entering Germany in 2011 and England in 2017, the HNBOD furthered the acceptance and legitimacy of Haudenosaunee passports. Knowing the women needed to be their best; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, Smith incorporated visualizations, affirmations, and tapping into preparing the women for competition. Recognizing empowered women build strong families, clans, nations, and communities, she hoped the experience of representing the Haudenosaunee on the world stage, persevering through adversity, and believing in their ability to have, be, or do whatever they want, will be passed on to future generations. During Smith’s time as the leader of the Haudenosaunee women’s lacrosse program, the women had autonomy, self-sufficiency and independence, a women’s program led by women, true empowerment of women.

< Back Terry Felix Terry Felix Sts'ailes First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Raised on the Chehalis Reserve, Terry Felix did not play organized soccer until high school in tenth grade. At 16, he joined a men’s team coached by his father Pete. First Nations were not invited to play in non-Native tournaments in the 1970s except for one tournament where a Whitecaps’ scout was present and approached Terry’s father for Terry to try out for the youth team. In September 1981 he signed a professional contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps. On July 10, 1983, he made his professional debut for the Whitecaps against the New York Cosmos in front of 50,000 fans. In doing so he became the first Indigenous soccer player to play professionally in North America. In 1983 Felix represented Canada in the Olympic Qualifiers for the Canada Men’s National Soccer Team and earned three caps. In doing so he became the first Indigenous soccer player to represent Canada. Felix played for the Canadian Olympic Soccer Team and scored two goals including the winner in the first of a two-game series in May, 1983. He played a three-game series for the Canadian National Soccer Team against the Scotland National Team in June, 1983. He suffered a career-ending injury while training with the Olympic Soccer Team just before the 1984 Olympics. In September, 2018, Felix was inducted into the British Columbia (BC) Hall of Fame Aboriginal Sports Gallery. In June, 2020, he was inducted into the BC Soccer Hall of Fame and two years later in June, 2022, he received the honor of the Indspire Award Laureate for Sport. Felix continues to promote and coach Aboriginal Youth Soccer. <Back

< Back Joseph Giovannetti Joseph Giovannetti Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Joseph Giovannetti, a proud Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation member and accomplished middle-distance runner, was born in Eureka, California. His athletic prowess first shone at Eureka High School; in 1967, he claimed victory as the Humboldt-Del Norte counties varsity mile champion, marking the beginning of his stellar career. In 1968, he clinched the North Coast Section Division III 880 title and set the EHS 880 school record with a time of 1:55.7. At Humboldt State College (now California State Polytechnic University), Giovannetti’s running talent flourished under the guidance of renowned coach Jim Hunt, displaying remarkable consistency and excellence in middle-distance running. He qualified for the NCAA College Division national championships all four years of his college career. One of his most notable achievements came in 1971 when he finished eighth in the NCAA College Division 880 national championship finals. This would be recognized as a First Team All-American honor by today's standards. Giovannetti's list of accomplishments is extensive. He set multiple records, including the Humboldt State 660 record, co-holding the HSU 880 record at 1:51.8 (equivalent to 1:51.1 in 800 meters), and contributing to HSU's 4X880 yards relay team in 1971. His excellence extended to other events as well, playing a key role in HSU's Sprint Medley Relay record in 1970 and the No. 2 all-time 4X440 relay team in 1971 against Sacramento State University. Off the track, Giovannetti has made significant contributions to his Indigenous community and academia. He was a Professor Emeritus of Native American Studies at Humboldt State University, making invaluable contributions from 1994 to 2018. He earned his Ph.D. from Sierra University and has been an active member of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Tribal Council since 2007. Joseph Giovannetti's legacy is one of resilience, achievement, and advocacy. His journey as an athlete and scholar has left an indelible mark on the Indigenous community. As a citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, Giovannetti serves as an inspiration to future generations, showcasing that determination and dedication can lead to greatness both on and off the track. <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 2025 Banquet 2025 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Kenneth Strath Moore Kenneth Strath Moore Cree Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Kenneth Strath Moore is the first First Nation athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. A citizen of the Peepeekisis Cree Nation, he was born in Saskatchewan, Canada in 1910. Moore would excel at every sport he played, including hockey, baseball, lacrosse, rugby, basketball, speed skating and cycling, although he was most passionate about hockey. His athletic and academic abilities enabled him to win scholarships, and he attended Campion College and Regina College in the late 1920s at a time when almost no First Nations students attended universities and colleges. He captained hockey and rugby teams, played baseball and basketball, and was described as “the most versatile athlete in the College.” Moore became a Canadian Junior Hockey Champion in 1930, scoring the winning goal with 40 seconds left in the game to win the Memorial Cup. He won two Allan Cup National Hockey Championships, and in 1932 traveled to Lake Placid, New York, to represent his country and the Cree Nation at the Olympics. There he scored a goal in the game against Poland, won a gold medal, and made history. Today, Moore’s achievements would be exceptional. A century ago, his achievements are extraordinary. He represents excellence and what can happen when talent and heart triumph over poverty and prejudice. After Moore’s retirement from sport a Winnipeg newspaper noted “It is doubtful if any other athlete in Canada has a record that will stand up to that of Moore’s.” He gave back to the community by coaching three teams to championship titles and sitting on the board of the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association. In 1967 Moore’s Regina Pats hockey team was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, in 1976 his Kimberley Dynamiters team was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1987 the Winnipegs, his 1932 Olympic hockey team, was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Moore’s accomplishments were celebrated in 2018 in a hockey exhibit at the Manitoba Museum, and his achievements are on display at the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame. <Back

< Back James Walker James Walker Standing Rock Lakota/Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 James Walker was born along the Missouri River in 1955. Shortly thereafter his family’s home got flooded and they had to move. He was sent to St. Josephs Indian Boarding School in Chamberlain, SD, when he was five years old. He was there seven years and was introduced to basketball. He went to Wilton, ND in the eighth grade and continued playing basketball and football until graduating in 1973. James was recruited by Dickinson State College to play basketball. When he was a sophomore in college, he tried out for the National Indian Activities Association national team and made the cut. The team had a scrimmage at the University of Mary against the defending state amateur basketball team. They went to Haskell, KS and had another scrimmage against their college team and then on to Baton Rouge, LA to play in the National Amateur tournament. We got beat but I got to play against some would-be Pros and D1 college players which really help me develop. James was named to the NAIA All American honorable mention team while at Dickinson State College. After college, he played Indian ball with the UTTEC team in 1975. In 1976, his team and part of the South Dakota team got together and formed the Lakota Coup Counters and they won the national tournament in Ft. Duchesne UT. They repeated in 1977 in Minneapolis and he was named MVP. He continued to play with the Coup Counters for 10 years and they were one of the top teams and always in the top three finishes at national tournaments. He then played with the Dakota Warriors in many tournaments, both Indian only and open tournaments. He was also named to the National Indian Activities Association (NIAA) Hall of Fame. <Back

< Back Barry Powless Barry Powless Onondaga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 Barry Powless is from the Onondaga Nation and is Eel clan. His elders told him Deyhontsigwa’ ehs (They bump hips) is a medicine game given to the people and played for the enjoyment of the Creator. In 1975, his senior year, he was a high school All American attackman and then played at Syracuse University. He played in two World Championship tournaments; 1980 World Box Lacrosse Championships, silver medal with Can Am Warriors and 1990 World Field Championships in Perth, Australia with the Iroquois Nationals. During his summers, he played box lacrosse at the amateur and professional levels throughout his career in the US and Canada. He was the first overall pick in 1991 with a professional Canadian-US indoor lacrosse league (National Lacrosse League). He received his first pro title, Major Indoor Lacrosse League (MILL) World Championship, when playing for the Buffalo Bandits in 1992. Barry received multiple league awards for being a High Scorer, MVP, Most Sportsman award, all-star teams, 1978 Cornwall Ontario Lions Club Player of the Year, and 1981 President’s Cup tournament MVP. He won three Canadian National Championships, one Mann Cup and two Presidents Cups. He participated in ten Canadian Championship tournaments and won six British Columbia Provincial Championships. He played senior lacrosse for four decades starting in the 1970’s and retired at age fifty. He was a head coach at the high school, senior, and professional level. He earned his second pro title in 1997 when leading the Rochester Knighthawks to the MILL World Championship and was the first Indigenous head coach to win a world title. Barry also was the VP of Lacrosse Operations for the National Lacrosse League (NLL) and currently is an executive host at Seneca Niagara Casino. Barry is honored, proud and humbled to now be inducted into seven Hall of Fames with those who also played the Creator’s game including 1999 Ontario Lacrosse, 2013 Greater Syracuse Sports, 2015 US Lacrosse Upstate NY Chapter, 2016 LaFayette Central School Sports, 2018 Akwesasne Lacrosse, 2021 Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame - Team Category, and the 2023 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. <Back

Oren Lyons Category Athlete Tribe Onondaga Nation Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 3/5/1930 Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation. He serves on the Grand Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy –Haudenosaunee. Oren holds the title of Professor Emeritus at SUNY Buffalo, has a Doctor of Laws Degree from his Alma Mater, Syracuse University and Lyons Hall at SU is named in his honor. Chief Lyons is an All-American Lacrosse Hall of Famer, and Honorary Chairman of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team. He is an accomplished artist, environmentalist, author, and global presenter and holds the title of Wisdom Keeper. He is a leading voice at the UN Permanent Forum on Human Rights for Indigenous Peoples, serves on the Executive Committee of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders for Human Survival, acts as Chairman of the Board for both the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development and Seventh Generation Fund. Recipient of several prestigious awards including Green Cross International Environmental Icon Award, founded by Mikhail Gorbachev. The United Nations NGO World Peace Prize, the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, The Rosa Parks and George Arents Award for Environmental and social activism and receiving Sweden’s prestigious Friends of the Children Award with his colleague the late Nelson Mandela, also included in his list of acknowledgments are the UN World Peace Prize, Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, Native American Hall of Fame Chief Lyons is a constantly sought-after speaker, a subject of several documentaries, films and a tireless advocate for American Indian causes and Indigenous rights. Oren is a founding member of One Bowl Productions and serves as a constant reminder of humanity’s responsibilities to the earth and our future generations. Home 2025 Banquet 2025 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Martin F. Wheelock Martin F. Wheelock Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Martin Frederick Wheelock was born in Oneida, WI, in 1874 and attended Carlisle Indian School in Carlisle, PA, from 1890-1902 where he became a varsity letterman on the legendary Carlisle Indians football team for years 1894-1902. The Indians played against all the major teams in the East and some in the Midwest. In 1899, with Wheelock as Captain, the team received an invitation to play the University of California in San Francisco on Christmas Day for the "East-West Championship". The California team had just finished an undefeated season and had been un-scored upon. Following an adventurous train trip across the country, the Indians defeated California by a score of 2-0 in a tough game fought on a slow, sandy field. Wheelock played guard and tackle during his career, was the leading kicker many years, and finished as center in 1902. Despite bouts of pleurisy, he is reported to have played football for one season at Haskell Institute in Kansas after leaving Carlisle. Following the end of his football career, Wheelock returned home to Oneida, WI, where he married a former Carlisle student, had a family, farmed, and used his extensive education (for the times) to help interpret important matters. He died in 1937. Honors and recognition Wheelock received include: Carlisle Indians Team Captain, 1899 and 1901; Second Team All-American in 1901; All-University Team in 1902 by the Sports Department of the Philadelphia Inquirer; named by Glenn Warner as his choice for left guard on his all-time Carlisle line-up, and frequent mention in the school newspaper, "The Indian Helper". When Wheelock spent time at home in Wisconsin, he was recruited to play one season for the Green Bay football team (before they were the Packers). Wheelock, along with other Oneida football players who played for the Green Bay town team, is featured on a Walk of Legends statue outside Lambeau Field. In 1980, Martin Frederick Wheelock was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas. <Back

< Back Marcus Oliveira Marcus Oliveira Menominee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Builder 2025 Marcus Derwin Oliveira, “The Phenom Menom,” was born on March 18, 1979, and raised on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena, Wisconsin. He began boxing at the age of seven years old and went on to have a very impressive and decorated amateur record of 375+ fights and only lost 30 times. With his impressive skills, aggressiveness and unmatched strength inside the ring, he earned himself a spot training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. Marcus went on to make it to the Olympic Trials, losing by only one point to make the USA Olympic team. In April of 2006 Oliveira made his much-anticipated professional debut with a knockout win against Daniel Russell. Marcus went on to win his next six fights by knockouts, five of them being in the first round. Due to Marcus’ extraordinary boxing skills he was approached in 2010 by legendary boxing promoter Don King and was immediately signed to Don King Promotions. He went on to fight some of the top fighters in his light heavyweight division to become ranked #1 in the world for two years. Marcus held several titles and belts, including ABF, WBA fedebol, and NABA. In his professional career he had an impressive record of 38 fights, with 28 wins and 22 by way of knockout, nine losses and one draw. Marcus retired from boxing in 2023 and currently resides in Lawrence, Kansas and focuses his time raising his son and daughter, and working for the environmental protection agency on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian reservation in Mayetta, KS. He is married to Shiloh LeBeau-Oliveira, 2023 NAIAHF inductee. In his spare time he and his wife travel for speaking engagements and hosting boxing workshops on different Native American reservations to inspire, motivate and encourage the youth to live a positive healthy lifestyle while helping them to build confidence, discipline, and skills through the sport of boxing. <Back

< Back Ernie Stevens Jr. Ernie Stevens Jr. Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Builder 2022 Ernie Stevens, Jr. is Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) out of Washington, DC. Serving in his 11th consecutive two-year terms. Stevens serves as Chairman and National spokesman for the Indian Gaming industry working with Tribal Leadership in shaping policy initiatives that have the potential to impact the industry. Stevens served as elected Councilman for the Oneida Nation from 1993 to 1996. His career in Washington, DC began in 1995 as the First Vice-President of the National Congress of American Indians. He serves as a board member of the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, Nike N7 Foundation, Center for American Indian Youth, and American Indian Graduate Center. In 2008, Stevens was inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was inducted as Lifetime Member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium’s Alumni Association. In 2015, Stevens was inducted into the American Gaming Association Gaming Hall of Fame, and has received several national accolades. Ernie’s boxing career started in his teens. At 16, along with boxing icon Louie Askinette, he co-founded the Soaring Eagle Boxing Club in Oneida in 1975. His accolades include 4-time State Heavyweight Champion in 1976, 1977, 1978 & 1979. He is also a two-time National Heavyweight Champion out of Carson City, NV in 1977 & 1978. In 1977, he was 17 years old fighting seasoned men to win the Championship. Stevens received an Associate Degree from Haskell Indian Junior College, 1983, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Senario College,1996 and a Masters in Management from the University of Phoenix, 2021. Stevens is married to his wife and best friend of 43 years, Cheryl. Together they have 5 kids and 17 grandchildren. <Back

< 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