Latest class includes Hunters, others from town
The 2022 International Indoor Junior Lacrosse Championships gold medalists, the U16 Haudenosaunee Dehontsigwaehs (pictured) were one of the teams inducted as part of the 2026 class of the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. Kahnawake’s Stone McGregor and Darris Jones played on the team, while Darris’s father Al was an assistant coach. Courtesy Seneca Media & Communications Center
Although only team owner Derek Stacey was able to attend the 2026 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) induction ceremony in person in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Kahnawake Junior B Hunters players still received a memento of their induction.
“It gives it a sense of reward and accomplishment,” said Darris Jones, who played for the Hunters in 2025, of receiving the certificate signed by NAIAHF co-directors Dan and Susan Ninham.
After receiving the award, Jones reflected on what the first Founders Cup win in Kahnawake history meant to him.
“Playing for a hometown team, representing our community, I think ultimately that’s the most important thing,” said Jones.
Having his father, lacrosse coach Al Jones, with him in the stands during the Founders Cup run also meant a lot to him.
“He coached me my entire life, and if I didn’t have him with me, I don’t think I would have been anywhere near where I am today,” said Darris.
Al said the induction into the NAIAHF was well deserved for the Hunters.
“The group of young men are taking on the best of the best in Junior B in Canada and coming out on top. Watching them from the start of the season to the end of the season, you see them grow into a championship team, which takes a lot of hard work,” said Al.
Al also received a certificate for his role as an assistant coach on the U16 Haudenosaunee Dehontsigwaehs team that won gold at the 2022 International Indoor Junior Lacrosse Championships - Darris also played on that team, as did another Kahnawa’kehró:non, Stone McGregor.
The U16 team defeated Canada 12-9 in the finals to win gold.
“I appreciate it so much more because it lets me know that there are people out there watching,” said Al.
“Dan and Susan Ninham do a great job, so for them to give recognition to athletes and coaches, it feels really good inside.”
The recognition of youth teams by the NAIAHF, and not just professional athletes, was appreciated by Al.
“These teams are just really starting out for the love of the game; that’s the initial goal. Then you build relationships and get all of the perks with it: going new places, all the time that you put in for practice and training. For that to finally be recognized, it’s a great feeling,” said Al.
He said that the 2022 tournament win was one he remembered fondly.
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“What I remember from that team is there was so much talent that they made our job easier, because they just performed. They were loving lacrosse so much and just having so much passion that it showed on the floor,” said Al.
“Competing at that kind of world-stage level, and for these young kids to take it on their shoulders, it’s a big deal. For them to be able to take it on and come out with a championship, that feels good. It just shows you the comfort that we all had as a team with each other - the goalies, the players on defense and offence.”
Other notable inductees for this year’s class include NHL players Brandon Montour and Zach Whitecloud, AHL player Carey Terrance, NFL player Ahman Green, and NLL players Cory Bomberry and Kim Squire.
The full list of inductees for 2026 can be found on the NAIAHF website.
