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< Back Sharon and Shirley Firth Sharon and Shirley Firth Gwich’in First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Twin sisters Sharon and Shirley Firth were members of Canada’s national cross-country team for an unprecedented 17-consecutive years competing on the World Cup circuit. Between them, they won 79 medals at a variety of racing distances at the national championships and competed in four winter Olympic Games in 1972 at Sapporo, Japan, in 1976 at Innsbruck, Austria, in 1980 at Lake Placid, New York, USA, and in 1984 at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. She and her sister were the subjects of a CBC Documentary entitled The Olympians: The Firth Sisters. Shirley and Sharon were in the PBS TV Episode 2010 Series of Molly of Denali “Stand Back Up.” They were also on a Canada Postage Stamp: Canadian Women in Winter Sports 2018. Sharon Firth had been awarded the John Semmelink Memorial Award from the Canadian Ski Association in 1972, the Commissioner’s Award from the Government of the Northwest Territories in1981, the Order of Canada in1987, was inducted into the Canadian Ski Museum and Skiing Hall of Fame in 1990, and she received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. Sharon also received the 2005 National Aboriginal Achievement Award, inducted into the 2008 Banff Sport Hall of Fame, and received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 2012. In addition to hall of fame inductions, she was also named to the 2012 Northwest Territories Sports Hall of Fame and 2015 Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, Order of Sport. In 2017 Sharon received an honorary doctorate of law degree and was an adjunct professor in 2018. She also received the 2018 Order of Northwest Territories. Shirley was voted Canadian Women's Nordic Skier of the Year six times by Ski Racing Magazine, and was inducted into the Canadian Ski Museum and Skiing Hall of Fame in 1990. After marrying, Shirley lived in Europe for over 20 years, receiving a teaching diploma in 2002 from the University of Paris. She won 42 Canadian national championship medals including 29 gold, 10 silver and 3 bronze. Shirley died on April 30, 2013. <Back

< Back A-Tsi-La “G” McIntosh A-Tsi-La “G” McIntosh Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Yuchi Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 A-Tsi-La “G” McIntosh had been wrestling since the age of five and quickly became one of the most accomplished young wrestlers in the country. A six-time State Champion, “G” was also a United States Junior Open Champion, a two-time Adidas Wrestling Nationals Champion, and a three-time All-American at Adidas Nationals. Known for his dominance on the mat, he was named “Outstanding Wrestler” at multiple tournaments and competed on numerous national dual teams alongside elite athletes from across the nation. “G” was a multi-style wrestler, holding state titles in Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman — a rare and impressive achievement. He currently attends Glenpool Public Schools in Tulsa County, OK, where he balances academic life with a demanding training schedule. “G” is a dedicated student and plans to continue his wrestling career at the collegiate level, with hopes of one day coaching or mentoring the next generation of Native youth athletes. Proud of his Indigenous heritage, “G” represents the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Cherokee Nation, and Yuchi Tribe. Raised in ceremonial culture since birth, he comes from the Yuchi Polecat Ceremonial Grounds in Kellyville, Oklahoma — a place that remains central to his identity and spiritual foundation. Family and faith are core to “G”’s life. He comes from a large, close-knit, and supportive family that has been a constant presence throughout his athletic journey. He believes deeply in staying grounded, not just as a competitor, but as a person. “G” also values balance. Outside of wrestling, he enjoys being outdoors — whether it’s around a campfire, in the woods, or simply surrounded by family and nature. This time helps him reset and stay centered amid the pressures of high-level competition. While he trains with relentless discipline and pushes himself to elite levels, “G” knows being a true champion means more than winning — it’s about mindset, humility, and knowing who you are. Champions are built through consistency — in every part of life. Whether it’s training, school, or family. Staying consistent builds confidence, and confidence is the foundation of success on and off the mat. <Back

< Back Abby Roque Abby Roque Ojibwe Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Abby Roque grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and is Ojibwe from Wahnapitae First Nation. She grew up playing boys hockey in Michigan, and competed in two U18 Women’s Worlds winning a gold and silver medal. She then went on to play NCAA Division 1 hockey at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Roque and the Wisconsin Badgers won a National Championship in 2019, and multiple WCHA league championships. Individually she won WCHA Rookie of the Year, WCHA First Team, WCHA Player of the Year, and was Top-3 for the Patty Kazmaier Award. She graduated from the Business School at the University of Wisconsin with a degree in marketing. She made the USA national team in 2019 and has been a mainstay ever since. In her USA Hockey career she was named the 2020 USA Hockey’s Women’s Player of the Year. She has also competed in three IIHF Women’s World Championships, winning Gold once and Silver twice. She was the first indigenous player to play for Team USA in the Olympics, winning a silver medal in the Beijing 2022 Olympics. <Back

Malcolm Blacksmith <Back Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Malcolm Blacksmith has been a lacrosse coach for the past 25 years. He started his lacrosse coaching career in 2000 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He started working with families in the north central area that were in low income status. He also worked with the Regina Sports Council getting equipment for the kids. Blacksmith started a novice team and called them Warriors Lacrosse. He worked on getting his coaching certificate for Level 2 box lacrosse, so he could coach at the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). He was the coach of Team Saskatchewan for a number of years. In 2004 he and others started getting a lacrosse team to take to NAIG 2005 in Colorado, but didn't have enough time to get ready. They turned their box lacrosse team into a field lacrosse team instead and represented Saskatchewan at nationals that year in August. In 2008 he coached Team Saskatchewan at NAIG when it was held in Cowichan, British Columbia. In 2011 he started coaching midget and junior lacrosse for Sagkeeng First Nation about two hours north of Winnipeg. In 2012 he started coaching for Team Manitoba U16, and U19 lacrosse teams. In 2014 he took U16 and U19 lacrosse teams to Regina, Saskatchewan where NAIG 2014 was held. The team came home with the bronze medal for U16 team. In 2015 the Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council held its annual awards day and during the Night of Champions Awards Ceremony he received the Male Aboriginal Coach of the Year award. In 2017 he took Team Manitoba to Toronto NAIG 2017. In 2020 they were to go to Halifax, Nova Scotia for NAIG 2020 but Covid hit the world. The team attended NAIG 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

< Back George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah Comanche Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 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. <Back

< Back Daniel Polk Daniel Polk Apache/Kwatsan/Diné Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Daniel Polk was born in Ft. Defiance, AZ but grew up in Pinon, AZ and Winterhaven, CA. He is from San Carlos Apache, Kwatsan (Quechan), and Diné nations. His Lakota name is Screaming Eagle and Diné name is Man Comes Home. His parents are Damon Polk and Helena Bekay Polk. He has two sisters and two brothers. Polk now lives in Shakopee, MN with his wife Dyani White Hawk Polk and their daughters Nina and Tusweca Polk. Polk’s first love was basketball. He played four years of varsity basketball at San Pasqual Valley High School. Daniel would walk onto Arizona Western College team to play one year, then transfer to Haskell Indian Nations University to finish out his basketball career. While at Haskell, he would receive his Associates of Arts and Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Polk now has a new love and passion for disc golf. His friend Henry Pohocsucut would teach him the sport of disc golf in 2005. When he first saw Henry throw a disc, it flew an entire football field length and Polk has been hooked ever since. He wanted to learn everything about disc golf. The techniques, different styles of throw, forms of competition and rules and regulations. A lifelong athlete, disc golf was now everything to Polk. He would play every chance he got towards the goal to someday become a competitive professional disc golfer. His very first tournament, The Centennial Open, he won the Intermediate division (MA2). This motivated him to keep learning and working on his skills. In 2006, he became an Advance player (MA1), in 2007 he became a Men’s Professional Open player (MPO), and in 2019 he became a Men’s Master Pro 40+ player (MP40). Polk has played in over 300 tournaments and has over 75 wins. He is sponsored by Prodigy Disc, Airborn Disc Golf, and Team Blue Ribbon Pines. Polk is seen as a great and respectful competitor and role model. He works hard to earn everything he has achieved and hopes to continue to be a strong competitor positively representing his sponsors and family. <Back

< Back Laticia DeCory Laticia DeCory Oglala Lakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Laticia "Doni" DeCory's life journey is the epitome of excellence that has resonated across multiple domains. DeCory's early years were marked by exceptional accomplishments in high school. A three-time first team South Dakota all-state athlete in basketball, she was bestowed with the honor of being part of the All-USA Today South Dakota team and the USA Today Athlete of the Year for South Dakota. Notably, she was a three-time state shot put champion and held a state record in shot put. She was named valedictorian from Pine Ridge High School. Her collegiate journey continued the legacy of triumph, with DeCory playing basketball at Brigham Young University (BYU) and excelling in track and field at Utah State. Her achievements included being a part of the 1994 Big West conference team champions and establishing a Western Athletic Conference Shot Put record. She continued to carve her legacy, becoming the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for BYU women's basketball. DeCory diligently training for the US Olympic track and field team as a heptathlete and contributing to the inaugural Indigenous nation handball development team. She was recognized as a Converse All-American in high school and an Academic All-American in college at Utah State. She also was a Divison 1 assistant coach for the University of South Dakota. DeCory's prowess was not confined to the sporting arena. In her professional career, her influence extended into public health and medical care, with notable roles at the CDC and two decades of service as a respected pulmonologist and respiratory care specialist. She further made her mark in corporate healthcare as a Quality and Compliance Director for the Indian Health Service (IHS) and other private facilities. However, it's her enduring commitment to youth development that sets her apart. As the director of Youth Opportunity and the co-founder of the BEAR program, she has directly impacted the lives of over 3,000 young individuals, guiding them towards professional careers in fields ranging from medicine to academia. Laticia "Doni" DeCory's life is a testament to the heights that can be reached through unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence. <Back

< Back Anthony W. Gray Anthony W. Gray Mohawk Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2026 Anthony W. Gray, a lifelong lacrosse athlete and coach, has shaped the game through elite performance, cultural leadership, and long-term coaching impact across multiple levels. A member of the Mohawk Nation, Gray’s career spans high school success, collegiate All-American honors, international competition, and player development from grassroots to elite training environments. As an athlete, Gray starred at Salmon River High School, earning All-Northern Athletic and Academic honors and selection to the Empire State Games. At Northfield Mount Hermon, he was named MVP and Eastern New England All-Star. He went on to Hobart College, where he became a two-time NCAA All-American midfielder, known for his transition play, man-up efficiency, and physical presence. He competed in three World Championships with the Iroquois Nationals (1990, 1994, 1998), serving as captain in 1998 and helping elevate Indigenous lacrosse on the global stage. Gray also competed at the highest levels of Canadian box lacrosse and played professionally with the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League. As a coach, Gray led Oakton High School to five district, three regional, and three state titles (2001–2008), with consistent postseason appearances. He also held coaching roles at Wakefield, Robinson, Marshall, St. Paul VI, and Marymount University, where he helped the program return to conference playoffs and led a nationally ranked man-up unit. Gray is a longtime advocate for youth development and skills training. He spent five years with Piranha Lax, helping players develop advanced skills and game IQ through high-level instruction. He also co-founded the North American Box Lacrosse League (NABLL), expanding access to adult competition and building development pathways across North America. Outside of lacrosse, Gray has served for 23 years as an educator in Fairfax County Public Schools, specializing in equity, gifted education, and curriculum development. His work reflects a deep commitment to opportunity, mentorship, and cultural pride—on and off the field. <Back

< Back Cory Bomberry Cory Bomberry Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2016 Cory Bomberry was a member of the Mann Cup-winning Six Nations Chiefs in 1994 and 1995. He was also a member of the Iroquois Nationals World Indoor Championship Silver Medal teams in 2003, 2007, and 2011. Bomberry had a 14-year career in the NLL playing with the Rochester Knighthawks between 1997 and 2003, Arizona Sting for one year and Buffalo Bandits for three years. He scored 235 goals, was an NLL champion in 2008 with the Buffalo Bandits and he was in six NLL Finals. Bomberry had more than 40 assists in four consecutive seasons from 2001-2004. He had over 400 assists in his career. He also won almost 50% of over 1,500 face-offs in his career. In 2009, he returned to the Rochester Knighthawks and played one more season before ending his career. During his 13 years as a pro, Cory was twice named the National Lacrosse League Native American MVP. This award was given by the Turtle Island News. <Back

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 Film Screenings 2026 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

1899 Carlisle Indian Industrial School Team 2024 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back During the 1899 season, the Carlisle Indians were led by first-year head coach Glenn “Pop” Warner and the team compiled a 9-2 record. The Indians outscored their opponents 383 to 46. The captain of the team was Martin Wheelock, Oneida, who was named to the 1899 New York Sun All American First Team. Wheelock was inducted in the athlete category of the inaugural 2022 NAIAHF. The Carlisle Indians began playing football in 1893. They became a national powerhouse in their 25 year existence as a program and played a top national collegiate team schedule. On December 25, 1899, the Carlisle Indians and University of California game was the first college football game played between teams from the east and west coasts. The only score was when Jonas Metoxen tackled a Cal player in the end zone for a safety. Schedule: Sept. 23 Gettysburg College 21-0 Sept. 30 Susquehanna University 56-0 Oct. 14 @ University of Pennsylvania 16-5 Oct. 21 Dickinson College 16-5 Oct. 28 @ Harvard University 10-22 Nov. 4 @ Hamilton College 32-0 Nov. 11 @ Princeton University 0-12 Nov. 25 Oberlin College 81-0 Nov. 30 @ Columbia University 45-0 Dec. 25 @ University of California 2-0 Dec. 26 @ Phoenix Indian School 104-0 Roster: The roster included (name; tribe; residence post-Carlisle; graduate class or departed year; profile if available); note: there may be others who were on the roster that are not listed and this induction entry will be updated: Archiqette, Chauncey; Oneida; Pawhuska, OK; class of 1899 Baine, John; Sioux; Warwick, SD; class of 1901 Beaver, Frank; Winnebago; Winnebago, NE; class of 1901 Blackchief, Allen; Tonawanda Seneca; Akron, NY; departed in 1901 Burr, Sidney; Alaskan; Versailles, NY; departed in 1900 Campeau, Frank; Chippewa; N/A; departed in 1901 Dillon, Charles; Crow Creek Sioux; Wyola, MT; departed in 1904 Hare, Nelson; Seneca; Irving, NY; class of 1902 Hudson, Frank; Laguna Pueblo; Bucks County, PA; class of 1896; considered the greatest kicker in the beginning American football; two-time 1898 and 1899 Outing magazine All American; was an assistant coach with Carlisle from 1904 to 1906 becoming one of the first non-white coaches in college football history Johnson, James E.; Stockbridge; class of 1901; first year player at Carlisle in 1899 and eventually was named a 1903 Walter Camp All American at Carlisle, played at Northwestern University in 1904-05 and came back as an assistant coach at Carlisle in 1906 Metoxen, Jonas; Oneida; West De Pere, WI; departed in 1900 Miller, Artie; Stockbridge; Gresham, WI; class of 1900; played halfback and also played professionally for the Homestead Library and Athletic Club being a part of the two-time 1900 and 1901 West Pennsylvania Pro Champions; was a member of the National Football League’s Pittsburg Stars 1902 Championship team Pierce, Bemus; Seneca; N/A; check; three-time Carlisle football captain prior to the 1899 team; All American lineman in 1896; professional player; head coach of the University of Buffalo in 1899, and interim head coached at Carlisle College in 1906 while also coaching at Haskell Institute and was the head coach at Kenyon College in 1908-10 Pierce, Hawley; Seneca; Salamanca, NY; departed in 1904; played professional football after Carlisle Redwater, Thaddeus; Cheyenne; Lame Deer, MT; departed in 1900 Roberts, Charles; Chippewa; Chicago, IL; departed in 1903 Rogers, Eddie; Chippewa; Walker, MN; class of 1897 and departed in 1901; named an All American in 1903; played on the University of Minnesota football team while earning his law degree; head coach at Carlisle in 1904 and St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN in 1905-08 Scott, Frank; Seneca; Buffalo, NY; departed in 1905 Scrogg, Solomon; Seneca; Springfiled, MA; departed in 1901 Seneca, Isaac; Seneca; Erie County, NY; class of 1900; halfback was named as the first indigenous inductee in the 1899 College Football All American Team Scholder, Joseph; Mission; Riverside, CA; departed in 1900 Scholder, William; San Dieganos Nation; N/A; class of 1906 Sickles, Caleb; Oneida; Tiffin, OH; class of 1898; studied to be a dentist practicing in Tiffin, OH for his career and was the football coach at Heidelberg College Smith, Edwin; Clallam; Chemawa, OR; class of 1991 Warren, John B.; White Earth Chippewa; class of 1900 Wheelock, Martin; Oneida; Seymour, WI; class of 1902; inaugural 2022 NAIAHF induction page: https://www.naiahf.org/martin-wheelock Wilde, Byron; Arickara; Elbowwoods, ND; departed October 19, 1899 Williams, Charles; Stockbridge; N/A; class of 1904 Sources: Wikipedia; Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center; Steckbeck. J.S. (1951). Fabulous Redmen: The Carlisle Indians and Their Famous Football Teams. J. Horace McFarland

< Back Pete Conway Pete Conway Blackfeet Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2023 Pete Conway’s basketball success is easy to follow because of the accolades he has earned along the way. His reputation as a standout player began with his high school career at Montana power Billings West High School. Conway led his team to four state tournament appearances and still holds the record for the most points scored in a game for the Golden Bears. He finished as the schools second all-time leading scorer and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball for the state of Montana in 1998. He opted to play his college basketball at NCAA Division I Montana State where he played on the school’s Big Sky Conference Championship Team in 2002 and was named All-Conference in 2003. Conway left Montana State with the second most three-pointers made in school history and became the 25th member of the 1,000 point club for the Bobcats. Conway received his Bachelors of Business Management from MSU in 2003. Conway continues to lead as the Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC). In only his second season at United Tribes the team advanced to the Region Championship and in his third year they won 20 games for the first time in 20 years. Conway has amassed over 100 wins at United Tribes and his teams have advanced to play in the Region Championship four times. He has coached three NJCAA All American athletes at UTTC. <Back