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Greg Henhawk <Back Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2024 Greg Henhawk is a Mohawk of the Bear Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario. Henhawk is a retired 32 year secondary school teacher of Science, Physical Education and Alternative Education. In basketball Henhawk has coached over twenty Senior Varsity Zone and District Championship teams. He has coached provincial club and elite development teams earning medals including 12 gold. His Six Nations U15 team placed fourth at the 2000 International Children’s Games. He also worked as an assistant women’s varsity coach at Ryerson and Waterloo universities. He has been an assistant and head coach with Basketball Ontario and Canada Basketball elite development programs and teams including being an Apprentice Coach of the Women’s National U19 team at the FIBA Americas world qualifier 2009 and FIBA World championships 2010. Henhawk has coached over 200 badminton individual and team championships at the Senior Varsity level at the zone, district, regional and provincial level. His field hockey teams in 20 years have won 15 District Championships including a span of 11 years in a row and during that time sporting a 113-0 record in District competition. Henhawk has been on the Project Advisory Group between 1998 and 2003 for the Development of the National Coaching program called “The Aboriginal Coaching Modules (ACM)”. He continues in the ACM program as a Master Learning Facilitator and Learning Facilitator developer. He has delivered over 150 ACM courses in Canada and the United States. He is a past winner of the 2018 Coaching Association of Canada – IG Wealth Management: National NCCP Coach Developer Award. Henhawk is a Founding Board member and present Board of Director for the Coaching Association of Ontario and a member of Canada Basketball’s Unified 2024 Advisory Council with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Henhawk had consulting projects for Holistic Sport Development and Wellness with Recreation North; PHE Canada, Participation, the Respect Group of Canada, Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment including the Launchpad charity fund and with all 13 Provincial Territorial Indigenous Sport Bodies in Canada. Projects have included: Indigenous Coaching Development for the Mi’kmaq Sport Council of Nova Scotia; The Coaching Association of Canada’s: Indigenous Coach Education and Development Advisory Group; and, the Indigenous Master Coach Developers’ Advisory Group.

< Back Bryan Trottier Bryan Trottier Chippewa Cree Métis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Bryan Trottier is Cree Métis from Val Marie, Saskatchewan and he was one of the National Hockey League's premier centremen. Trottier won six Stanley Cups as a player, including four-straight championships with the New York Islanders between 1980 and 1983, and two back-to-back in 1991 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and a seventh as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. Trottier began his hockey career playing for the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League during the seasons of 1972-1973 and 1973-1974. In the latter season, he scored 41 goals and 71 assists for a total of 112 points in 68 games. He finished his first season with league records for a rookie in assists (63) and points (95), earning the NHL's Calder Trophy awarded annually to the most outstanding newcomer. Playing in 77 games in the 1977-78 season, Trottier had 46 goals and 77 assists for a total of 123 points. During the 1978-79 season, Trottier compiled his best season statistics ever, scoring 47 goals and 87 assists for a total of 134 points, making him the league's top scorer and earning him the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. Trottier was also the recipient of the Art Ross Trophy in 1979, and the Hart Memorial Trophy also in 1979. In 1980 he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most outstanding performer in NHL post-season play. In 1989 he won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. In 1998 he was honored with the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. Trottier was selected to nine NHL All Star Games and had his number raised to the rafters by the New York Islanders on October 20, 2001. He shares the NHL single period record of scoring six points including four goals and two assists and is one of only eight NHL players to have multiple five goal games. After his playing career was over, he was hired as the head coach of the New York Rangers for a season. He also worked as head coach for the Portland Pirates of the AHL for the 1997-1998 season, and he was also a Colorado Avalanche assistant coach. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2001. In 2014 he was an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres. Trottier won countless awards and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was named in the “Top 100 Greatest Players in the NHL.” In 2022, he authored his memoir, “All Roads Home: A Life On and Off the Ice” and it has become a national bestseller. <Back

< Back Vic Mercredi Vic Mercredi Métis Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Vic Mercredi achieved the honour of being the first player born and raised in the Northwest Territories to be drafted and signed by a National Hockey League Team in 1973. Mercredi started his junior career in 1969 playing in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League for the Penticton Broncos. In his first season he scored 16 goals and 34 points in 48 games. He followed this season by continuing and improving with 50 goals and 106 points in 51 games, making many take note of his skills as an offensive player. He was awarded the British Columbia Junior Hockey League Most Valuable Player trophy and was a unanimous First Team All-Star. After two seasons with the Broncos, Mercredi moved up to major junior hockey playing two seasons with the New Westminster Bruins in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League. He continued to grow and establish himself as a solid offensive player, scoring 24 goals and 54 points in 68 games. Mercredi could shoot equally well both left-handed and right handed. He took advantage of this unique ability by using a straight stick. In 1973, Mercredi was drafted 16th overall in the first round of the 1973 National Hockey League Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Flames and 35th overall in the 1973 World Hockey Association Amateur Draft by the Houston Aeros. This was a start of a successful professional career that included 68 games with the 1973 Omaha Knights, scoring 21 goals and 57 points, two games in the National Hockey League with the 1974 Atlanta Flames, 64 games with the 1974 Omaha Knights scoring 10 goals and 26 points, three games with the 1975 Calgary Cowboys in the World Hockey Association, and 52 games with the 1975 Baltimore Clippers in the American Hockey League. His next stop was Stockholm, Sweden with the Hammarby IF in 1976. There he played 18 games, scoring five goals and 14 points. He returned home to the successful career with two seasons in the Pacific Hockey League playing 42 games with the 1977 Phoenix Roadrunners, scoring 16 goals and 40 points and 29 games with the 1978 Tucson Rustlers, scoring 8 goals and 28 points. Mercredi finished his career with the 1979 Delta Kings in the British Columbia Senior Hockey League. <Back

< Back James Francis Thorpe James Francis Thorpe Sac and Fox Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 James Francis Thorpe was born near Prague, Oklahoma. He was born to Hiram Thorpe, a farmer, and Charlotte Vieux, a Pottawatomie Indian and descendant of the last great Sauk and Fox chief Black Hawk, a noted warrior and athlete. Jim was actually born a twin, but his brother Charlie died at the age of nine. His Indian name, Wa-Tho-Huk, translated to “Bright Path.” In 1904, Thorpe started school at Carlisle Industrial Indian School in Pennsylvania. Thorpe began his athletic career at Carlisle, both playing football and running track. He was selected as a third-team All-American in 1908, and in 1909 and 1910 he made the first team. Football legend Glenn “Pop” Warner coached Thorpe at Carlisle. Thorpe competed in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden. He won the pentathlon and the decathlon and set records that would stand for decades. Thorpe’s glorious Olympic wins were jeopardized in 1913 when it surfaced that he had played two semi-professional seasons of baseball. Ultimately, it was decided that his baseball experience adversely affected his amateur status in the track and field events. His name was removed from the record books and his gold medals were taken away. Thorpe moved on after the Olympic ordeal and signed to play baseball for the New York Giants. He played outfield with New York for three seasons before playing with the Cincinnati Reds in 1917. He played 77 games with the Reds before finally returning to the Giants for an additional 26 games. In 1919, he played his final season in major league baseball, ending on the Boston Braves team. During much of his baseball years, Thorpe also played professional football for the Canton (Ohio) Bulldogs from 1915 until 1920 and with the Cleveland Indians in 1921. In the years following, he organized, coached and played with the Oorang Indians, a professional football team comprised of American Indians. Additionally, he was instrumental in forming the American Professional Football Association, and eventually became the president of the group. Through the years, the association evolved into today’s NFL. In all, Thorpe played with six different teams during his career in pro football, ending with a stint with the Chicago Cardinals in 1929. Two monumental honors were bestowed unto Thorpe in 1950 when he was named “the greatest American football player” and the “greatest overall male athlete” by the Associated Press. Thorpe died on March 28, 1953 of a heart attack. Thorpe’s medals were finally restored to him posthumously in 1982. In addition, and most importantly to his family, his name was put back into the record books. In 1950, the nation’s press selected Jim Thorpe as the most outstanding athlete of the first half of the 20th Century and in 1996-2001, he was awarded ABC’s Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Century. <Back

< Back Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard CHamoru Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Builder 2023 Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard is a community organizer, Indigenous environmental conservation advocate, educator, and rock climber. She is Native CHamoru and Indigenous to the island of Guam, a US territory, but currently resides on the ancestral homeland of the Shawandasse Tula and Myaamia peoples in Cincinnati, Ohio with her partner and son. Mazzolini-Blanchard is the Co-Founder of the Indigenous Field Guide, a digital resource created to amplify Indigenous voices and provide public education to prevent the damage of non-renewable environmental and cultural resources, and she is also the Strategic Partnerships Manager for Access Fund, the nation's leading climber advocacy organization. She is an athlete representing Mammut North America, Gnarly Nutrition, SCARPA North America, Rhino Skin Solutions, and Asana Climbing. <Back

< Back Rainelle Jones Rainelle Jones Cree Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Rainelle Jones is part Cree on her mother’s side and grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland with her two parents Michelle Jonasson-Jones and Thomas Jones, and her younger siblings Reis, Ria, Renee & Ryla Jones. Playing on varsity basketball and volleyball freshman year at Oxon Hill High school, she soon committed to the University of Maryland for volleyball as a freshman in 2015. Soon selected as PrepVolleyball's No. 32 Senior Ace in 2016 and 2017, Rainelle Jones was one of 22 players selected to the USA High Performance Youth A1 Team. Coming to the University of Maryland in 2018, Rainelle Jones, freshman through her grad year of college played and contributed to Maryland becoming one of the best Blocking teams in the Big10 and NCAA. Meanwhile, in the 2020-2021 season, she was the first athlete to kneel during the National Anthem as a fight for social injustice. Using the NCAA NIL opportunities, she worked with merchandise companies raising awareness with slogans and a vision for the future as an activist. Becoming a guest speaker for Maryland Athletics in conferences, classes, podcasts, and events as a student-athlete. In addition to being a spokeswoman for the Big10 volleyball and athletics since 2021. In 2022, Rainelle graduated with an American Studies degree and a minor in Leadership Studies. On the court, by her graduate year, she reached her 700th career kills and becoming the #1 in program history leading Maryland Volleyball in total Blocks. A 4x Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, a 2x Big Ten and NCAA blocks per set leader, and historically the first student-athlete in Maryland Athletics to be #1 in the NCAA ever. Rainelle is currently signed to play overseas professional volleyball. Photo Credits and Captions: University of Maryland volleyball game and roster photo, year 2022 <Back

Team 2025 Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Haudenosaunee Nationals Women’s Box Lacrosse Team made history in 2024, earning their place as trailblazers in international lacrosse. Competing at the 2024 World Lacrosse Championship in Utica, New York, the team clinched a historic bronze medal—the first-ever international championship medal awarded to the Haudenosaunee women in lacrosse. The Haudenosaunee women showcased extraordinary skill, resilience, and unity throughout the tournament, culminating in a commanding 21-4 victory over Team Australia in the bronze medal game. This landmark achievement not only brought pride to Indigenous communities across Turtle Island but also underscored the Haudenosaunee’s cultural and spiritual connection to lacrosse, known as the Creator’s Game. Comprised of athletes from Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous Nations, the team reflected the strength of community, tradition, and perseverance. Team members included: Akwesasne Mohawk Territory Jillian Benedict, Jadie Burns, Trysten Burns, Kharlene "Bineh" Garrow, Tallis Tarbell and Kyra Thompson Fort Albany First Nation Mekwan Tulpin Kanesatake First Nation Ava Gabriel Oneida Nation of the Thames Jada Doxtator Seneca Nation Lindsay John Six Nations of the Grand River Timmia Bomberry, Chelsea Doolittle, Chelsea Gibson, Amalee Jacobs, Kenley Jacobs, Chelsie John, Trisha John, Fawn Porter, Stacy Smith, Alisha Smith-Longboat, Joni Squire-Hill and Carey-Leigh Vyse Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Kendall Tabobandung Walpole Island First Nation Ferrah Blackbird Wikwemikong Unceded Territory Mackenzie Shigwadja and Reese Shigwadja Team Staff Head Coach, Jason Johnson, Onondaga Assistant Coach, Randy Chrysler, Tuscarora Assistant Coach, Cheyenne Lazore, Akwesasne Mohawk Assistant Coach, Mary James, Métis Assistant Coach / Video Analyst, Matt Attwood, Six Nations of the Grand River Trainer / Dietician, Paul Staats, Six Nations of the Grand River Player Liaison, Karissa John, Six Nations of the Grand River General Manager, Jeff Powless, Akwesasne Mohawk Their triumph exemplifies the power of Indigenous women in sports and serves as an enduring testament to the Haudenosaunee’s deep-rooted lacrosse legacy. By earning a place on the international podium, these women broke barriers, inspired future generations, and strengthened the path toward greater recognition of Indigenous athletes on the world stage. The 2024 bronze medal not only marked a pivotal moment in lacrosse history but also symbolized the enduring sovereignty and resilience of the Haudenosaunee people.

< Back Tara Hedican Tara Hedican Eabametoon First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach 2025 Tara Hedican is one of the world's most accomplished athletes. She has over ten years of international success as an athlete including competing at the world stage and most notably winning Canada’s first Junior World title. She was a dual sport athlete while attending the University of Guelph with all-star accomplishments in both rugby and wrestling and being named a two-time University of Guelph Athlete of the Year. Hedican represented the Ontario region at the national Border Ladner Jervais awards ceremony where she was presented a ring for her accomplishments being one of Canada's best university athletes. In addition to this award she was presented a ring bearing the image of Hiawatha in honour of Tom Longboat as Canada's most decorated Indigenous athlete. Along with her international success she has trained in several countries around the world adding to her training methodology and understanding about international competition. Hedican is a D1 level trained coach and Hockey Academy accredited trainer. She is also a student of the Advanced Coaching Diploma considered to be the top level of Canadian coaching. Hedican has coached and trained internationally recognized athletes under the wing of Canada’s top-level coaches. <Back

Provincial Nominees George Attla Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Wally Leask Alaska Sports Hall of Fame John Brown Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Reggie Joule Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Herb Didrickson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Elliott Sampson Alaska Sports Hall of Fame Fred Simpson Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Albert Smoke Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame Ron Brown Manitoba Sports & Manitoba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Joe Keeper Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Angela Chalmers Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Reg Leach Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jack Jacobs Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Jill Mathez Manitoba Sports & Mani to ba Aboriginal Sports Hall of Fame Robert Bernard Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Seymour Doucette Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame George Tex Marshall Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Sarah Lynn Knockwood Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Chad Denny Mi'kmaq Sports Hall of Fame Jesse "Cab" Renick Chickasaw Hall of Fame Jack and Gerry Brisco Chickasaw Hall of Fame Tom Longboat Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame

< Back J.R. Conrad J.R. Conrad Eastern Shawnee Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 J.R. Conrad was born and raised in Northeast Oklahoma, and he is an Eastern Shawnee Tribal Member. J.R. grew up in Indian housing with his mom’s side of the family all living under the same roof for much of his childhood. Once he got to high school, he figured out football could pay for school and it could change the trajectory of his life, and future generations of his family. J.R. became an All-State player, a Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma, and a Gatorade Player of the Year for the Southwest US. He went on to play football at the University of Oklahoma, and was the first true freshman to ever start at center in school history. He was a USA Today All American, started in over 40 games, and was a 4-year starter. Played in bowl games, and the Blue Grey All Star Game, got invited to the combine. He was drafted by the New England Patriots and was a part of Super Bowl 31 team, played for Bill Parcells, followed him to the New York Jets, and later spent a short time with the Dallas Cowboys. J.R. has been married to his wife Keisha for 24 years, and they have four children: Hayden, Hudson, Henley, and Holden. <Back

< Back Gaylord Powless Gaylord Powless Mohawk, Wolf Clan Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Gaylord Powless was a Mohawk lacrosse player from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada where he was the eldest of 14 children born to Ross and Wilma Powless. Powless received his first lacrosse stick at age two and by age 17, he won the Tom Longboat Award as the best Indigenous athlete in Canada. In 1964, Gaylord was recruited by the Oshawa Green Gaels junior lacrosse team, by coach Jim Bishop to which he led to four consecutive Minto Cups from 1964 to 1967 and was chosen as the most valuable player in the series in 1964 and 1967. Powless turned professional in 1968 and, in 1969, played for the Rochester Chiefs, winning the Can-Am Lacrosse League title. He went on to a successful career in professional and senior amateur lacrosse with teams in Detroit, Syracuse, New York, Montreal, Brantford, Port Coquitlam, and Brampton as well as with the Six Nations team. Powless was also a star player for the Detroit Olympics of the National Lacrosse Association. He scored 63 goals in the 1968 season, twice as many as his nearest competition. He knew where everyone was at all times on the field of play, was an unselfish player, and an outstanding playmaker. Powless's career was cut short by injuries and in 1977, he retired at the age of 30. He had to withstand tremendous racism from coaches, players, fans, and sports writers. His reaction was to recognize that he was a target for bullying and abuse and to overcome it by being the best player, and the highest scoring athlete he could be. Sadly, Powless lost his battle with cancer on July 28, 2001, but his influence as a role model and inspiration to generations of Indigenous youth carries on. He left behind his wife Patti, daughters Michelle and Gaylene, and son Christopher (deceased 2015) who he coached in lacrosse to his Jr. career. His grandchildren Taylor, David, Kahner, Rachel and Kali continue his legacy through their love of sports, they would have been his greatest accomplishment. <Back

< Back Cameron "Cam" Bomberry Cameron "Cam" Bomberry Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Cameron “Cam” Bomberry grew up in the Six Nations community of Ohsweken, Ontario. Bomberry played six seasons of OLA Junior “A” lacrosse and he scored 199 goals, added 286 assists for a total of 485 points. He played his first three season with the St. Catharines Athletics. In 1991, Bomberry played for his hometown Six Nations Arrows to complete his junior career. In 1992, he won the Most Valuable Player award as he captained the Arrows to the Minto Cup championship. Bomberry played twelve seasons of Senior Lacrosse in the MSL of Ontario. He also played one season with the Mohawk Stars in 2008 in the OLA Senior “B” league. Bomberry was a member of two Mann Cup championship teams, including the Six Nations Chiefs in 1994 and 1996. Over 242 games, Bomberry scored 281 goals, and had 335 assists for a total of 516 points. He was inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2016. Cam Bomberry also played field lacrosse. He was a member of the U19 Champion team when Team Canada earned a Silver Medal. During an accomplished college career, Bomberry was a three-time All-American midfielder for Nazareth College, and a member of the NCAA Division III National Championship Team in 1992. In addition, Cam played for the Iroquois Nationals four times. He was a key player on the 2014 Bronze Medal winning team in the Federation of International Lacrosse Association. Bomberry also played in the National Lacrosse League. He was the first overall selection in the 1994 draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bandits, New Jersey Storm and Rochester Knighthawks. Bomberry was a member of the Rochester Knighthawks winning the NLL Championship in 1997. In fourteen NLL seasons, Bomberry scored 256 goals, and had 464 assists for 720 total points in 206 games. Cam Bomberry gives back to the game and has experience leading lacrosse clinics. He has coached and played for several First Nations teams at both the National and International levels, including the Iroquois Nationals in field and box lacrosse. <Back