Woodlands Games and Sports

Tom Longboat began running long distance races in 1905 on his reservation and in the nearby town Caledonia. Tom was an Onondaga from the Six Nations Reserve. He stood 1.75 meter (five foot nine) and weighed about 63 kilograms (140 pounds) at age 19. He could run 8 kilometers (5 miles) in twenty-three and a half minutes, his long slow stride seamed to let him run at a quick pace without exerting himself.

In 1906, another runner Bill Davis began to train Tom and entered him in the "Around the Bay Race" in Hamilton, sponsored by the Hamilton Herald. Many people were betting on races in those days and Tom’s odds to win the race were 40 to 1. The favorite to win was John D. Marsh, who led most of the race with Tom right behind and even taking the lead once in awhile to test his speed. It was reported that when Tom decided to pick up the pace, he left Marsh behind as if he were standing still. Near the end of the race Tom ran the wrong way for 69 meters (75 yards), yet he still managed to cross the finish line three minutes in front of Marsh.

On April 19th 1907 Tom, or the "Bronze Mercury" as he was sometimes called, entered the Boston Marathon after winning a few other races held in Toronto. Tom won with ease setting a new record of 4 hours 24 minutes and 24 seconds. This record would go unbeaten until the course was changed four years later.

Tom entered the Olympic Marathon in 1908, and raced against Pietre Dorando who would eventually win the 26 miles race (42 kilometers). Tom would collapse from the heat and exhaustion near the end of the race and be taken out by stretcher.

Dorando along with another Marathon runner, Alfred Shrubb turned professional and taunted Tom to race against them. After winning many other races that year it was Dorando who would face Tom in December of 1908. Tom won the race in just under 3 hours. Tom married Lauretta Maracle and took some time away before racing Shrubb in February of 1909. Shrubb led the entire race and at one point held a 7 lap lead on the 1/9 mile track (0.18 kilometers). Tom kept his pace and eventually Shrubb collapse and Tom cruised to another victory.

Ruth Hill was known as "Ruthie" to her friends and teammates. As a teenager (Ruth Van Every) in the late 1940’s, was well known for her softball pitching especially her rising fastball. Ruth was one of the first members of the Mohawk women’s softball team in the 1950’s. She was well known in the area for her rising fastball, which was said to have started at knee level and, by the time it crossed the plate, it was just above shoulder level. If she could make a batter swing at that, she would throw one higher. In 1964, the Mohawks had played an exhibition game against the Toronto Carpetland team and the players were so impressed with her pitching they invited her to join them for a tournament in Florida. The only game Toronto won at the Florida tournament was the game Ruth pitched, she also batted in the game winning run. Soon after, Ruth lost one of her fingers on her pitching hand in an accident. In 1979, Ruth and a few old friends started a new team, which they entered and won the Canadian women’s Fast Ball Championship in Kelowna B.C. Ruth, at age 50, even pitched a few innings with her four fingers and helped her team to victory.

There are many Aboriginal athletes that have gone on to play in the NHL. Stan "Bulldog" Jonathan was drafted into the NHL by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round of the 1975 draft. Jonathan was well known for his physical play and still remains one of coach Don Cherry’s favorite players. Stan scored his first regular season Hat Trick against the Rockies in their second visit into Boston under the coaching of Don Cherry. Stan lead the NHL in shooting accuracy in his rookie year, and once recorded 15 points in 6 games for the Bruins. Stan’s Hat Trick at the Garden lead the Bruins to a 5-2 victory over the Canadiens forcing the memorable game 7 in the 1979 semi-final. He also knocked out the much bigger Pierre Bouchard in the Playoffs.

Dr. Oronhyatekha was well known for his achievements as the Supreme Chief Ranger of the Independent Order of Foresters, an international fraternal life insurance company. Originally from Six Nations, he later married and moved to the Tyendinaga reserve. Oronhyatekha received his Medical Degree from the University of Toronto.

He was also a very accurate marksman. Oronhyatekha was a member of the first Canadian Wimbledon team. He walked away from the Wimbledon shoots in England with nine medals.

While with the army, he also won the Ensign Cooks Cup on June 6th 1865. Oronhyatekha proved his worth in many fields, and marksmanship was only one area in which he excelled.

Nicknamed the Marvellous Mohawk, Gaylord Powless is remembered as one of the finest players to ever set foot on a lacrosse floor. Born December 1st 1946 Powless had a lacrosse stick in his hands since the day he could walk. By the time he was seventeen he was honoured with the Tom Longboat award as top Native athlete in Canada. That year, he also caught the eye of legendary coach Jim Bishop who would eventually put Powless in a game after an injury to another player. Powless scored three goals and five assists in his first game for the Oshawa Green Gaels. He went on to lead the Gaels to four Minto cup championships in as many years, from 1964 to 1967.

Powless was awarded the Jim McConaghy Memorial Cup as the most valuable player in 1964 and 1967, he also took home the Ken Ross trophy for ability and sportsmanship in 1965 and 1966. Powless went on to play for professional teams in Detroit, Syracuse and Montreal and senior or major teams in Brantford, Coquitlam, Six Nations and Brampton.

Gaylord and his father, Ross Powless, made lacrosse history in 1990 when Gaylord was selected to the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Ross had been selected in 1969, they were the only father /son duo to share that honour. After retiring from playing the game, Powless coached minor lacrosse and hockey teams back at his home on the Six Nations Reserve, ironically most games took place at the Gaylord Powless Arena.

Gaylord passed away in the summer of 2001 after a long bout with cancer, he was 54 years old.