The inaugural class of honorees was enshrined into the Indian Athlete Hall of Fame, a momentous occasion celebrating the remarkable achievements of Native American athletes in Montana. The induction ceremony, a vibrant testament to sporting prowess and cultural heritage, took place on a Friday evening, marking the genesis of an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacies of these exceptional individuals.
The Indian Athlete Hall of Fame is the realization of a long-held vision by Don Wetzel Sr., a distinguished figure in Montana sports. Wetzel, himself a former standout athlete and coach from Browning and the University of Montana, recognized the need to formally acknowledge the significant contributions of American Indian athletes to the state’s sporting landscape. This recognition, he believed, was not just a matter of honoring individual accomplishments, but also of inspiring future generations and preserving the rich history of Native American athletic talent. With the support of his father, Wetzel embarked on a journey to create a platform that would ensure these stories were told and their achievements celebrated.
The initial class of inductees represented a diverse range of athletic talents, with each member exhibiting exceptional skill and dedication across multiple sports. While their expertise spanned various disciplines, a common thread connected them all: a profound passion for basketball. Their stories painted a vivid picture of their early experiences, recalling makeshift basketball courts where hoops, often no more than six inches in diameter, were crudely fashioned and attached to trees or the walls of sheds. These humble beginnings fostered a unique style of play, characterized by exceptional dribbling skills honed through navigating uneven terrain and avoiding obstacles.
As inductee Pete Conway eloquently stated during the ceremony, "That’s why we’re good dribblers, we gotta dribble around all those rocks." His words encapsulated the spirit of resourcefulness and determination that defined the early experiences of these athletes. The induction ceremony was held in conjunction with the Native Holiday Classic basketball tournament at MetraPark Arena, a fitting backdrop that highlighted the enduring legacy of basketball within the Native American community.
Don Wetzel emphasized the urgency of establishing the Indian Athlete Hall of Fame, explaining that many of these sporting legends were now elders, their legacies at risk of fading with time. Recognizing their achievements was crucial not only for honoring their past accomplishments but also for ensuring that their stories would continue to inspire future generations. Wetzel also pointed out that the great-grandchildren of these honorees are actively carrying on their sporting traditions. Wetzel himself is one of only three American Indians inducted into the Montana High School Association Hall of Fame, alongside Willie Weeks and Larry Pretty Weasel, the latter of whom was among the inaugural class of inductees for the Indian Athlete Hall of Fame.
Among the esteemed inductees were Louie Longee and Philip Red Eagle, both respected members of the Fort Peck Assiniboine-Sioux Tribes. These lifelong friends, both in their early 90s, shared a remarkable journey that began in their childhood at Indian school. Their shared passion for basketball led them to play together in high school, culminating in state championship victories in 1936 and 1938. Their remarkable story is a powerful testament to the enduring bonds of friendship and the transformative power of sports.
"I thought that they forgot about me out there," Wetzel recounted Longee saying, highlighting the profound impact of the recognition bestowed upon these individuals. Although Longee, who resides in Yakima, Washington, was unable to attend the Billings ceremony in person, he and his wife, Winona, sent a heartfelt video message expressing their gratitude to Wetzel and all those involved in making the Indian Athlete Hall of Fame a reality. The Longee family was well-represented, with relatives traveling from Yakima and Fort Peck to celebrate his achievement. In a touching display of cultural pride and support, the Fort Peck relatives presented a star quilt to send back to Yakima, and the tribe made a generous cash contribution in Longee’s honor. Tribal Chairman Rusty Stafne further honored Red Eagle with a special honor check.
Red Eagle shared an anecdote about the acquisition of a gymnasium at the Indian School he and Longee attended, crediting an unnamed politician for securing the facility. "It was the best gym in the whole northwest," he proudly declared, emphasizing its role in shaping their basketball skills and fostering their love for the game. He never lost his enthusiasm for Brockton and reminded the filled to capacity crowd that during his high school years “Poplar only beat us once by one point and we beat them two times.”
He proudly proclaimed that his team was the state champions in 1936, during his senior year. He ended his speech by commenting on how his great-grandchildren are now playing basketball and that it was “Good blood line.”
Highlights of the Other Indian Athlete Hall of Fame Inductees:
-
Malia Kipp, hailing from Browning, was a dominant force in multiple sports throughout her high school career. She held divisional track records and earned all-state honors in both volleyball and basketball. Her scoring and rebounding records at Browning High School, for both boys and girls, remain unbroken to this day. Kipp’s exceptional athletic abilities earned her a scholarship to the University of Montana, where she played for the Lady Griz basketball team. During her four years with the team, the Lady Griz consistently won the Big Sky Conference. Post-graduation, Kipp dedicated two years to coaching the women’s basketball team at Salish Kootenai College. She is now a nurse and instructor at Kicking Horse Job Corps Center.
-
Marvin Camel, from Ronan, was renowned for his exceptional hand speed as a basketball player. He transitioned to boxing and achieved unparalleled success, securing two world boxing championships in the cruiserweight division. He won the Boxing Council championship in 1980 and the International Boxing Federation championship in 1983.
-
Sam Horn, a member of the Crow tribe, was a key player on St. Labre’s 1977 state championship team. Despite his quiet demeanor, Horn’s impact on the court was undeniable. As Wetzel discovered during his research, Horn’s name consistently headlined game reports, including a remarkable 43-point performance. He was an All-American during his senior year and displayed his versatility by also participating in football and track. In response to the honor, Horn quipped, "It’s about time they gave some credit where credit is due," eliciting laughter from the audience. His sister, Joanie, reminisced about his dedication to the sport, recalling how he would practice tirelessly on a hoop hung outside their grandmother’s house, long before year-round training became commonplace. Joanie said, “He had a goal and he knew what to do, he never quit until he reached that goal.”
-
Pete Conway, a Browning high school basketball player, secured a spot on the team by a single vote during his senior year. Despite initial doubts, Conway’s talent and determination shone through. Wetzel, who was a coach at the time, remembers Conway’s being a left-handed center that “we just couldn’t stop”. He went on to attend Eastern Montana College, where he was mentored by legendary coach Mike Harkins and earned All-American honors. Conway attributed his success to his unwavering work ethic, emphasizing that "if you’re willing to work hard, anything is possible." Currently serving as the director of the Indian Health Service’s Billings Area regional offices, Conway sees his induction into the Indian Athlete Hall of Fame as an opportunity to serve as a role model for young people, both on and off the court. He said, “Basketball has done great things for me, but what I have is my education and my work ethic.”
-
Larry Pretty Weasel, a Hardin High School standout, etched his name in Montana basketball history with a remarkable 148 points in four tournament games. His individual game record of 48 points at the 1957 Class A high school tournament stood until 1984. Rocky Mountain College, where he also excelled, has established a scholarship in his name. Wetzel acknowledged that “If the three point line was in there at that time, it’s hard telling what he would’ve got.” Pretty Weasel is widely considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Indian basketball players in Montana history. Wetzel called him “a real legend in Indian basketball lore”. He was also an amazing high-jumper, back in the days when the path was more difficult and jumpers landed in sand or sawdust, who could clear his height. Wetzel said, “God, he could jump.” Pretty Weasel said that helped in basketball, too. He used the backboard a lot, something you don’t see much now, but he got a lot of points off of tip-ins.
The Indian Athlete Hall of Fame serves as a vital platform for recognizing the remarkable achievements of Native American athletes, preserving their legacies, and inspiring future generations. The stories of these seven inaugural inductees exemplify the dedication, resilience, and extraordinary talent that define the rich sporting heritage of Montana’s American Indian communities.