Sunderland finds his home with the Warroad Warriors Hockey Family
By Dan Ninham Johnny Grove’s backhanded goal at 4:56 of double overtime gave the Mahtomedi Zephrys a 6-5 win over the Warroad Warriors in the 2023 Class A Minnesota state boys’ hockey tournament. This was the Warriors first loss of the season and ended with a 29-1-1 record. The Warriors are now the two-time defending […]
Sean Morrison Strives to be a leader for the North Woods HS Grizzlies
By Dan Ninham Sean Morrison will be graduating this year at North Woods HS. He is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. Morrison was a member of the successful North Woods HS Grizzlies basketball team this season. As a 6’2” post player he made 71% of his field goals mainly near the […]
Seelye signs with NJCAA Dawson Community College (MT)
By Dan Ninham Another Cass Lake-Bena HS Panther girls’ basketball player is heading out of state to play college basketball. She and her teammates are first looking forward to the 8A section tournament and a second consecutive run to the Minnesota Class A State Tournament. Krisalyn Seelye is a member of the Leech Lake Band […]
LeRoy Staples Fairbanks IV: Bringing AAU Summer Season to Cass Lake-Bena
By Dan Ninham The wave of top level Minnesota Section 8 basketball talent is continuing to rise at Cass Lake-Bena High School. One of the team leaders is making potential adversity into his strength. LeRoy Staples Fairbanks IV, 16, is from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and his clan is Makwa (Bear). He is […]
Lone Eagle preparing for World Powerlifting Competition
By Dan Ninham Everyone has a place in the world. Some people take their whole lives to find it. Others happen upon it and are guided toward it quicker. Eddie Lone Eagle, 37, was tired of living the tough life on the streets of Minneapolis as a young man. He wanted to do bigger things […]
Verna Volker: Leading By Example With Native Women Running
By Dan Ninham Verna Volker is from the Navajo Nation. “My clans are Tódích’íi’nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl’ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin, Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó’ áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí,” said Verna. “I am 46 years old,” said Verna. “I live in Minneapolis, but grew up in Northern New Mexico. I have been married for 20 years […]
Daniel Polk: National Class Disc Golfer
By Dan Ninham Everyone may have a hidden talent. Oftentimes someone finds it by chance. Other times it may stay hidden. By continuing to practice the talent efficiently, one may master the gift. Daniel Polk, 41, is a gifted professional disc golfer. He is from the San Carlos Apache, Quechan, and Diné Nations. He, his […]
Nate Howard shined as CLB Panther and LLLTC basketball star
By Dan Ninham Boozhoo. Bimisebineshii indizhinikaaz: Greetings. My Indian name is Flying Bird. Awazisii nindoodem: My clan is Bullhead. Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag nindonjibaa: I’m from Cass Lake. – Nate Howard Indigenous people are taught to introduce themselves with their native language. They introduce themselves by name, clan and where they are from. Nate Howard was a part […]
Pete Nez brings Diné philosophy to basketball and track teams
By Dan Ninham “Ya’at’eeh,” said Pete Nez, 39. “I am from Dinetah (Navajo Nation) and I am Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle people).” Pete Nez is an assistant basketball coach and jumper’s coach for the track and field team at Redwood Valley High School, Redwood Falls, Minnesota. “I was a student athletic trainer […]
Jiigewegaabaw: Looks over the edge for his people and family
By Dan Ninham Jiigewegaabaw: My wen’ehs (namesakes) saw me in a dream looking over the water, looking out over Lake Mille Lacs. The translation is he who looks out over the edge,” said Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe member Joe Nayquonabe, Jr. Often native people live their Indian names they received as babies into their […]
Angelo Baca: Runner, Educator and Filmmaker
By Dan Ninham At 39, Angelo Baca (Navajo/Hopi) continues to lace up his running shoes and runs toward the east before sunrise. A three-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Champion in Cross Country, Angelo’s high altitude running began at an early age near his hometown of Blanding, Utah and in the Bears Ears […]