MINNESOTA — Dan Ninham, a retired teacher living in Red Lake, Minnesota, is hoping to generate as much interest as possible in a start up where will serve as the executive director of the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.
For now, the hall will be a digital one, housed on the website of Minnesota’s Red Lake Nation College.
Ninham is not looking to compete against the American Indian Athletics Hall of Fame, but believes there are far more individuals, in Canada as well, who deserve to be in an Indigenous sporting hall of fame.
He has compiled a list of about 150 individuals and teams he believes belong in this hall and is hoping to induct as many of those as possible this year. He is expecting to release the list of inaugural inductees on Feb. 1.
Ninham anticipates that the majority of those who fulfil the criteria and fill out an application will be inducted into this hall of fame.
The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame will induct individuals or teams through six categories. All inductees must have Indigenous ancestry. And all members of those entering via the Team category must be Indigenous.
The induction categories include Athlete, Coach, Team, Builder, Media and Official. When the hall of fame website is up and running, it is hoped to include a bio for each inductee with displays including photos of sporting accomplishments, can accompany the inductee.
The ongoing pandemic forced the idea to host an in-person event for the inductees this year.
The public has until Jan. 21 to get in touch with Ninham if they believe they have someone worthy of induction. Those looking to suggest a nominee or for more information about the hall can contact Ninham at dan.ninham@rlnc.edu.
