Native Information
Simcoe’s John Macdonald has been chosen as a member of the North American Indigenous Athletics Corridor of Fame Class of 2025.
Revealed Jan 29, 2025 • Final up to date Jan 29, 2025 • 3 minute learn
John MacDonald, 2017 Norfolk County Sports activities Corridor of Recognition inductee, has been named to the North American Indigenous Athletics Corridor of Fame. Photograph by Ontario Chronicle /File
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From his time at Simcoe Composite Faculty to McGill College, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and now as a Grand Erie trainer, John Macdonald by no means shied away from his Indigenous roots.
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Macdonald proudly speaks of his Mohawk heritage, and advocates for Indigenous youth to realize their objectives not simply on the sphere however in life as nicely.
That mentality — to not point out a stellar athletic and training profession — led to the Simcoe product’s current choice as a member of the North American Indigenous Athletics Corridor of Fame Class of 2025.
Macdonald will formally enter the corridor as an athlete however his teaching and instructing exploits additionally helped him acquire entry with a bunch that features Olympians, champion blended martial artists, weightlifters, hockey gamers and extra.
“Obviously athletics is where it all started but it’s all spiralled into the other stuff like advocacy and coaching, that’s what I’m passionate about,” stated Macdonald. “I never really left football, and that’s something that was really important to get across in the nomination, that sports are a journey that you never really leave.”
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In his senior marketing campaign, Macdonald was named Simcoe Composite’s Male Athlete of the Yr and went on to have related success with McGill. Twice, Macdonald captured the Willie Lambert (most devoted) trophy and was named Most Priceless Lineman in 2001.
Macdonald’s college profession was so spectacular the Tiger-Cats took him seventh total within the 2002 CFL draft. He suited up for the Tabbies from 2002-2004 and stays an energetic member of the franchise alumni.
Macdonald will be a part of a number of native athletes and builders as a part of the corridor, that was created in 2023, together with probably the most well-known athletes of the twentieth century, the primary Indigenous man to win Olympic gold.
“When we heard the news I was obviously honoured and humbled by it – to be in the hall with one my heroes in Jim Thorpe is unbelievable,” he stated of the swimmer. “A lot of the names there are really impressive.”
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These names embrace former Toronto Maple Leafs captain George Armstong, lacrosse legend Gaylord Powless, NFLer J.R. Conrad, Olympic synchronized swimmer Mary Killman Bancroft, and water polo standout Waneek Horn-Miller.
“Kids in native literature are always looking for resources on Indigenous heroes and that whole website (naiahf.org) is almost like an encyclopedia on Indigenous athletes,” Macdonald continued. “A kid could go there and find an athlete from almost any sport. It’s a really good resource for students and Indigenous people as well.”
Following his enjoying days, Macdonald went on to show English, Native research, and bodily training, ultimately touchdown at Pauline Johnson Collegiate in Brantford the place he’s coached the Thunderbirds soccer crew since 2019. The Thunderbirds received their first Athletic Affiliation of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk County title in 2022.
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Macdonald has additionally coached hockey, rugby, and subject lacrosse, capturing a pair of provincial championships with Six Nations Women’ Area Lacrosse groups in 2013 and 2015.
One other approach the person recognized affectionally as “Johnny Mac” helps the subsequent technology of athletes is thru the Pauline Johnson S.O.A.R. Elite Athletic program he helped create. Standing for Power Alternative Achievement Outcomes, this system consists of private health, well being and vitamin, certifications, mentorship, visitor audio system, subject journeys and post-secondary partnerships to supply student-athletes with the abilities and angle to realize success at elite ranges.
One in every of Macdonald’s former college students is already within the corridor. Class of 2024 and Simcoe product Mekwan Tulpin – lacrosse athlete and builder – despatched her former trainer a message welcoming him to the membership.
“When I saw that Mekwan was in there, I got thinking, it’s the little conversations you have with students, you realize those are seeds for their future development,” Macdonald stated. “To see them come to fruition as Indigenous athletes or non-Indigenous athletes, I’m almost more proud of their accomplishments than I am of my own in hindsight.”
The NAIAHF will acknowledge the 2025 class in addition to 2024, and the inaugural 2023 inductees in a banquet to be held on June 7, 2025, in Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin.
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