SPOONER, Wis. — Native Voices Foundation (NVF) is hosting a “Future Olympian’s Day” Benefit in Spooner, Wisconsin, on April 16, at their Northwest Sports Complex. “Thanks to Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Joe Hip (Blackfeet), and 2003 Native American Heavyweight Champion, Harry Funmaker (’Ho-Chunk Hammer’) coaching the region’s rising stars, this may be a launching pad for Indian youth finally getting coaching to compete in future Olympic,” according to Olympic skier, Suzy “Chapstick” Chaffee, NVF’s organizer.
“While our benefit suffered a setback when Evander Holyfield had to bow out, it is uniting Indian Country’s heavyweights behind helping their youth grab their Olympic dreams,” said Chaffee.
“We’re impressed with the Olympic Hopefuls that NVF helped develop (www.snow-riders.org) and together we’ll be meeting with other like-minded Casinos, like the Mohegan Sun and Senecas, to formulate a 4 year plan for pro teams and Olympians to assist in training youth for the London Olympics,” said Stonehorse Goeman. The Seneca Marshal Arts Champion, mentored by Tom Coulter, Olympic coaching legend, is conditioning coach for Native American Olympic Boxing talent at Foxwood’s Casino.
From 1-4 PM, the Native American Boxing Superstars will clinic top regional boxers from Team Amos, Red Lake, Mo Lake, plus Lakotas. The public is welcome to observe, or attend a talk by Chissie Spencer, top boxing promoter, who’ll share how to steer clear of pitfalls to being a champion of sports and life. Chaffee will also be planting more Olympic ski dreams at her clinic.
At 7pm, Native American Olympic Ski Hopeful, Mariah Cooper (Lac Courte-Oreille-Oneida) will open the event with a prayer-signing. Gosh Kibos, Secretary of the National Congress of American Indians, and Suzy will then welcome everyone.
Hip and Funmaker will perform exciting sparring and share how they overcame obstacles. But the stars of the evening are the youth demonstrating their sparring and technique to reveal Olympic Boxing potential. Talent going to the North American Indigenous Games in Vancouver in August will be honored, including by Mark Soulier’s St. Croix Trails Dancers. $10 tickets can be purchased at the door.
Sponsors include: The Landing, St Croix Travel, White Birch Printing, Northwest Indian NewsTV, NuStevia.
NVF is a Colorado 501c3 non profit partnership developing Native American talent for Olympic Teams.
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