Standing tall at the Hall

Following an announcement in January, Kanehsata’kehró:non lacrosse star Ava Weriasanoron Gabriel has been inducted into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (NAIAHF) alongside her World Lacrosse Box Championships Haudenosaunee Nationals team.

The squad won a bronze medal at the tournament in Utica, New York, where they became the first-ever women’s Haudenosaunee team to compete in the prestigious international competition. Now the group has been immortalized as part of the hall of fame’s 2025 cohort.

“It was such a good experience,” said Gabriel. “It felt so surreal to be there and be around so many other incredible athletes being inducted.”

The team was inducted at a banquet ceremony that took place last weekend in Oneida, Wisconsin.

“It takes a lot of discipline, determination. You have to have the heart to get this far,” said Andrea Nelson, Gabriel’s mother, who was in attendance.

The family experienced some travel-related turmoil caused by a rescheduling of the banquet, but in the end Nelson was able to be there to witness her daughter’s achievement.

“It was quite the experience. I’m definitely a proud mom,” she said.

It’s not only Ava’s own accomplishments that fill the local mother with pride, however. Now coaching two girls’ teams in Kahnawake and continuing to rack up accolades, including playing on the Kahnawake Hunters Junior C team and recently scoring the first goal by a woman in Ontario Junior Lacrosse League history, the barrier-breaking Gabriel has become a role model for Kanien’kehá:ka girls who dream of growing up to make a name for themselves in the Creator’s game.

“It’s so nice as a parent to see her giving back to the different communities,” said Nelson. “I’m happy. It just warms my heart, especially when kids come to you and ask ‘Is Ava here today? Is Ava playing today?’”

[email protected]

Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter