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< Back Kevin Sandy Kevin Sandy Cayuga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Coach/Builder 2023 Kevin Vincent Sandy belongs to the Lower Cayuga Nation, Wolf Clan, Haudenosaunee and resides on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. His two amazing children are Aamisk and Menaywaywyn who belong to the beautiful Mushkegowuk and Haudenosaunee way of life of their parents. Sandy was the first General Manager of the Six Nations Arrows Lacrosse team who went on to become the first Indigenous team in the world to win the Minto Cup Canadian Jr. A Lacrosse Championship in 1992. He enjoyed visiting families, bringing the players together, to come home and believe in a dream to compete at the highest level possible in their sport of choice. He’s been the General Manager of the Six Nations Rebels who won Canadian and Ontario Lacrosse Championships in the late 1990’s. Sandy has helped build, plan and organize the Haudenosaunee National teams who won silver at the 2007 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (Halifax, NS) and 2008, U-19 World Field Lacrosse Team (Coquitlam, BC). Sandy has functioned as a builder/organizer in hosting, staging and delivering the 2017 North American Indigenous Games, Box Lacrosse Competition at Six Nations of the Grand River, which seen girls competing for the first time at these games. Record crowds and players participated in the games, which was held at three separate venues over a one-week period in Grand River Territory. He also helped host and stage the World Indoor U19 Lacrosse Challenge at Six Nations of the Grand River Territory (2015) prior to the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships (Onondaga Nation). <Back

< Back Niki Gashing Goodwin Niki Gashing Goodwin White Earth Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Niki Gashing Goodwin, an enrolled member of White Earth Nation, has been gifted the journey of being a professional athlete. He was born in Bagley, MN and grew up on and near Ojibwe country. His parents, Duane and Theresa Goodwin, are Native artists who still live in that area. Through his family connections and longtime relationship with horses, Nik’s passion was in the horse racing industry. At a very young age he developed the dream to be a professional horse jockey. In 1991 he started riding races in Barnum, MN, recording his first victory in the 100th running of the Carlton County Derby. From this point in his journey, he never looked back. His confidence that he would succeed in this career path allowed him to pass up a full ride academic scholarship at Bemidji State University. He started his professional career in Winnipeg, Manitoba in August of 1993 when he was just 16. By his senior year in high school he had a professional career started and still graduated with honors. Nik won his first professional race in his 13th start on his father's horse Moidore. After that race he quickly won more races and his career was under way leading him to California. Nik’s nationwide racehorse career was just beginning. Nik received the opportunity to ride at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, which is one of the premier horse racing tracks in the country. He spent a short time there riding with hall of fame jockeys and learning a lot about his career. Early in 1995, he moved his riding business to Maryland. In Maryland and surrounding tracks, he excelled and became a top rider for years in an extremely competitive mid-Atlantic racing circuit. Since then his riding career has taken him to many places around the United States. Nik has recorded over 1000 thoroughbred wins and multiple quarter horse leading rider titles in a career that has expanded over three decades. He has become the all-time leading quarter horse rider at Canterbury Park in Shakopee Minnesota. Nik spends the winter months now in Florida where he helps get young racehorses ready for their careers. His work was an important part in the development of champion and Kentucky Derby winner, Nyquist, along with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Other great horses that he worked with have been Nadal, Dortmund, Palace Malace, and Competitive Edge. Now in his mid-forty’s Nik rides a little less and dedicates the rest of his time to his family. He lives in Ocala, Florida with his wife and three boys. Even though he is at the sunset of his career he still enjoys riding and is looking for the next champion. Photo Credits: Coady Photography and Heather R. Grevelis <Back

Kerry Danforth <Back Oneida Induction Category: Year Inducted Coach 2023 Kerry “Buggs” Danforth starting coaching in 1995 and was influenced by his dad, the late Bill Danforth, who coached Oneida Baseball in his early 30’s until he was 50. After his dad passed and he continued to play baseball and softball he knew he was given a gift to help a player at any part of their game. He learned to help a hitter out by just watching their hands, feet and swing, and to make corrections, and as his and his wife Candace’ three daughters, Nona, Olivia and Tiana, and son Jackson, got older, he stopped playing to coach. In 2006, he coached his daughter Nona in Florida in the Independent Softball Association (ISA) Nationals and won that tournament and this put them in the ISA World Nationals in Columbia, North Carolina and they were crowned World Champions. In 2007, he coached the team to win the North America Fastpitch Association (NSFA) National Champions in Florida. In his years of coaching, he sent several athletes to the collegiate level and 58 to the NCAA DI level. From 2006 to 2019, his teams won six Wisconsin American Softball Association (ASA) and National Softball Association (NSA) national titles from the age groups of 10 & Under to 18 & Under. In those years the teams were also Runner-up State champion in 2006 and 2018 and at the national level were runner-up in 2010 and 2012. In 2011, he was the 18 & Under Team Wisconsin’s Indigenous Coach that won the North American Indigenous Games Gold Medal and were undefeated. In 2014, he was a college assistant coach working with infield and hitting to Jean Rivett at NCAA DI University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Coach Rivett is in the ASA Hall of Fame as a player. UWGB won the conference title, conference tournament title, and played in the NCAA Tournament in Minnesota. Also at the college level, he was an assistant coach working with infield and hitting at NCAA DIII St. Norbert College from 2016-2018. As a coach for the past 25 plus years he amassed over 600 wins and under 100 losses and his best year was in 2009 with an 85-6 record.

Officials Michael Thomas St. Croix Ojibwe

< Back Jonathan Cheechoo Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Cree First Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Jonathan Cheechoo is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation located at the southern end of James Bay in northern Ontario, Canada. Jonathan first played hockey at the age of four years old but only began playing organized hockey at 14 years old when he played AAA Bantam in Timmins, Ontario. From there Jonathan continued to excel through Midget AAA in Kapuskasing, Ontario to Jr. B with the Kitchener Dutchmen. He caught the eye of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and was drafted 5th overall in 1997 by the Belleville Bulls. Jonathan played with the Bulls for three years and increased his scoring totals each year with 76 points, 82 points, and 92 points respectively. In 1999, Jonathan led the Bulls to the OHL title and scored 5 goals in the deciding game 7 to help his team clinch the championship. Jonathan’s success in the OHL caught the attention of National Hockey League (NHL) teams. In 1998, Jonathan was drafted 29th overall by the San Jose Sharks. Prior to breaking into the NHL, he played in the American Hockey League (AHL). While in the AHL, Jonathan continued to show his natural talent around the net leading to being called up to the NHL’s Sharks in the 2002-03 season, where he remained for seven seasons. In 2005-06, Jonathan scored 56 goals and won the Maurice Richard trophy, which is awarded to the player with the most goals in a season. Jonathan joined the Ottawa Senators for one season in 2009-10 and finished his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he played for four seasons. Jonathan achieved the unique feat of being selected to participate in the All-Star Game of every league in which he has played, including the AHL, NHL and KHL. Jonathan announced his retirement from professional hockey in 2018. Proud of his roots and Cree heritage, he has maintained strong ties to his home community. Jonathan credits much of his success to the support of his community and supportive, loving family. Jonathan enjoys leading hockey camps in his hometown and speaks to Indigenous youth about the importance of pursuing their dreams. photo credit: San Jose Sharks <Back

< Back Michael Linklater Michael Linklater Cree from Thunderchild First Nation Treaty 6 Territory Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Michael Linklater has established himself as one of the world’s top 3X3 basketball players. As team captain he represented Saskatoon in FIBA’s 3X3 World Tour as well as the Canadian National team at the World Cup. Linklater picked up a basketball at an early age on an inner city court and in 2010, he made history as team captain when he lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s basketball team to its first and only Canada-West Conference Championship and CIS National Championship. Michael played for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2019 in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and won the league championship during the inaugural season. Michael was inducted into the Saskatoon sports hall of fame in 2022. Michael has utilized his wealth of athletic accomplishments to help create awareness about issues, off the court. He is a proud Nehiyāw (Cree) descending from the Thunderchild First Nation, located in Treaty 6 Territory. Linklater is the founder of the International Campaigm, “Boys with Braids.“ He has won numerous awards as an advocate for Indigenous youth and for his community involvement. Over the past two and half decades, Michael has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses to tens of thousands of youth and adults across the world. He is also a certified Yoga instructor and incorporates his traditional spirituality into each practice. Most importantly, Michael is a proud father who understands the significance of his cultural traditions and role modelling a healthy lifestyle to his children. <Back

< Back Drew Bucktooth Drew Bucktooth Onondaga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2022 Drew Bucktooth is a lacrosse and hockey player from the Onondaga Nation in upstate NY. As a member of the Syracuse Stars hockey team he played against the highest level and won back to back state championships, a national championship and a world championship and was MVP of the world championship game. As a 16 year old, Drew was selected for the United States National team but was drafted and played in the OHL instead but still played for Team USA in international competitions and was named the team captain. In lacrosse, the first goal Drew ever scored was on his own goalie, but he made sure to do it correctly after that. As an eighth grader Drew led the varsity lacrosse team in scoring, as a ninth grader he led his league in scoring. As a 10th grader Drew once again led his team in scoring and earned All American, one of only two lacrosse players in NY state history to earn the tile of All American as a 10th grader. When Drew was 15 he competed with the Iroquois Nationals in the U19 world lacrosse championships in Japan, although Drew was the youngest player there, he led the tournament in scoring and was named to the All World Team. A few years later the Lacrosse World Championships were held in Australia, and again Drew was named to the All World Team and has the distinction as the only person in history to make the U19 All World Team twice. As a member of the Onondaga RedHawks, his team captured the Presidents cup twice, which is the Canadian National box lacrosse championship. These days Drew can still be found in and out of hockey rinks and lacrosse fields coaching his four sons, Blake, Gavin, Dylan and Cruze. <Back

< Back James Nells James Nells Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 James Nells, born in Winslow, Arizona is full blood Navajo Nation tribal member. His mother was Dorothea (Jackson) Shirley, father was Edward Nells. He is Salt clan, born for under his cover clan, grandparents are Black streak in the wood (mother) and Red bottom (father). James has three sisters living on the Navajo reservation including Brenda, Sandra and Dixie. They grew up around the Cedar Springs, Seba Dalkai, White Cone area of Arizona. They finally moved to Church Rock, New Mexico and James attended Church Rock Elementary, Bountiful Junior High and South Bountiful Jr. High in Bountiful, Utah. He attended and graduated from Wingate High School, Fort Wingate, New Mexico in 1977. James attended Haskell Indian Junior College (1978-80), Lawrence, Kansas, and graduated from Central State University (1980-83), Edmond, Oklahoma with a Bachelor degree in Teaching Physical Education and Health with a coaching option. He participated in Cross Country, Wrestling and Track. In college he ran both cross country and track. He is a state high school champion in the two-mile run (1976) and state runner-up in cross country, track mile and two mile run several times. He is also a High School All-American in Track. In college he was a two time All-American in Indoor Track and held the cross country course record while attending Haskell in 24:47 for 8K. James served in the US Army from 1984-92, was second in command in his unit while in Desert Storm with the 2-16 Infantry Rangers, Fort Riley, KS and received a Bronze Star. James and his wife Daisy Elana (Pratt) Nells have been married 38 years and they have two daughters and five sons and 13 grandkids. Photo: James and Elana Nells in 2022 <Back

< Back Jordan Brewer Jordan Brewer Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Jordan Brewer was born in Saint Joseph, MI, and grew up excelling as a three-sport athlete, competing in baseball, football, and basketball. He was recruited by the University of Michigan for football, but a shoulder injury during his senior season derailed those plans. Undeterred, Jordan took the opportunity to play baseball at Lincoln Trail Junior College, where he had a standout two-year career, earning All-Region honors. His performance caught the attention of the University of Michigan’s baseball program, where he quickly made his mark. In his first year, Jordan had an outstanding season, earning Big Ten Player of the Year and helping his team reach the finals of the College World Series. Following this success, Jordan was drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round. He advanced through the Astros minor league system to their Double-A team, overcoming several surgeries along the way. Despite these challenges, Jordan has enjoyed a successful professional baseball career and is excited about what future opportunities lie ahead. Photos: Houston Astros Media Team and Meza Photos <Back

Team/Builders 2025 The North Americans Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The North Americans were a men’s major fast pitch team comprised of Indigenous players from the US and Canada. From 1989 to 1997, they traveled North America playing in softball tournaments, while establishing the “Straight Arrow” Program. The program was conceptualized and promoted to encourage Native peoples to say NO to drugs and alcohol. Each tournament coincided with speaking engagements at local community halls, schools, and correctional facilities to speak of the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The 1993-1994 season proved to be a banner year for the North Americans as they were crowned All-Indian Fast Pitch Tournament National Champions and qualified for the 1993 International Softball Congress (ISC) World Fast Pitch Tournament as the only all-Native team to qualify at Kimberly, Wisconsin and 1994 Prince Edward Island, Canada Tournament that had teams from the US, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand. At the 1993 ISC World Tournament, they finished 33rd in the world. During the leadup to the 1994 ISC World Tournament, they won seven games at the 1993 41st All-Indian Men’s Fast Pitch National Tournament in Oklahoma City, OK to capture their third straight national title becoming the first team to do so. Needing to win a qualifying tournament for the 1994 ISC World Tournament, the team traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to play in the Blue-Gray Invitational, which had 34 teams vying for one qualifying spot. Going undefeated and winning six games, they qualified for their second ever ISC World Tournament. At the 1994 ISC World Tournament, they finished 47th in the world and made it back in 1995 in Sioux City, Iowa finishing 17th, 33rd in 1996 in Kimberly, Wisconsin, and 33rd in 1997 in Victoria, British Colombia. The 1993-94 roster included JoJo Barnett, Creek Nation; William (Bill) Berry, Apache; Ken Billingsley, Hunkpapa Lakota; Rich Brewer, Oglala Sioux; Mike Henson, Comanche; Frank La Mere (Coach & Manager), Winnebago; Mark Lunderman, Rosebud Sioux; Tuffy Lunderman, Rosebud Sioux; Jim McClung, Comanche; Darwin "Flip"; Snyder, Winnebago; Eric Tiger, Creek Nation; Tony Valladolid, Winnebago; Mike Joseph, Iroquois; Earl LaForte, Ojibway; Lyle Normand, Cree; and Wayne "Windy"; Ward, Choctaw.

< Back Jaci McCormack Jaci McCormack Nez Perce Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete/Builder 2025 Jaci McCormack grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation outside of Lewiston, Idaho. She fell in love with basketball early on and earned a scholarship to play for Illinois State University, where her team competed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. After her college career, Jaci was inspired to return home and give back to her community. She served as the Deputy Executive Director for the Nez Perce Tribe, as well as the Youth Prevention Director, building deep relationships with tribal and community partners. In 2015, Jaci founded Rise Above, a non-profit organization that gives Native American youth the skills and resilience to overcome their circumstances and write their own futures. As the CEO of Rise Above, Jaci leads the organization in its mission to empower youth through a variety of programs including sports, education, financial literacy, prevention skills, and mentorship, using prevention strategies that will spark change in people’s lives. Jaci attracted an incredible group of engaged and like-minded partners and donors across the country who believed in Rise Above’s mission to empower Native American youth, including over 30 tribes, investors, prevention advocates, sports legends, and hall-of-famers, and Hollywood stars including Three Time NBA Hall of Famer, Lenny Wilkens and Award-Winning Actor Danny Glover. In 2024 Rise Above established a formal partnership with the Seattle Storm to increase basketball opportunities for BIPOC, low-income, and historically underserved youth, with a focus on the Native community in Seattle and Washington State. Jaci’s life story will be the subject of an upcoming feature film, produced by Danny Glover, Preston Holmes and Lenny Wilkens. The screenplay was written by Erica Trembly, an award- winning native writer. The film is set for production in 2025 with a projected release in 2026. In 2022, Jaci was invited to be a presenter and panelist at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and she was appointed by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to serve on Seattle's first Indigenous Advisory Council. She is also the recipient of the 2024 Seattle Sports Commission Sports Equity and Inclusion Award. <Back

< Back Carey-Leigh Vyse Carey-Leigh Vyse Cayuga Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Carey-Leigh Vyse is a member of the Cayuga Nation and the Deer Clan. She was born and raised on the Six Nations Reservation. She is a mother of three children, including Lyla-Shae, Lahnee-Leigh and Macqoy Vyse. She is married to Danny Vyse, who is an achieved lacrosse player. She is an elementary school teacher on her reservation. Vyse played softball on the infield for Team Canada from 2011-2017 including one year on the Jr. National team and six years on the Sr. National team. She studied, played and started as the third baseman at NCAA D1 Syracuse University. Vyse was on teams that were the Canadian National Champions in 2006, 2008, and 2011. She won the All-Star Short Stop Award at Canadian Nationals three times in the same years. Her Brantford Bobcats Team was inducted into the Ontario Softball Hall of Fame. Vyse competed in the 2012 World Championships held in Whitehorse, Yukon where they placed fourth. She took a year off in 2013 to have her daughter. She made a comeback the very next year, and became the first mother to be named to the Sr. Team. Her team placed fourth in the 2014 World Championships held in Netherlands, Amsterdam. In 2016 her team placed third at the World Championships held in Surrey, BC. She played six years total for the Canadian Women’s National Team and competed in three World Championships and one Pan American Qualifier. From 2016 to the present, she has competed in the Native Canadian Championships where she has played for Red Nation and in most recent years, has played for Six Nations E.C.M (Every Child Matters) and has won Native Canadian Championships with both teams. She won the All- Star Infield Award each year from 2016-2024. She has played in the All-Ontario’s Native Fast-pitch Championships as well since she was 16 where she and her Six Nations teams has earned championship titles. Vyse made the final roster for Team Haudenosaunee and earned a bronze medal at the first 2024 Women’s World Box Lacrosse Championships in Utica, NY. <Back