27 Facts About Waneek Horn-Miller

Waneek Horn-Miller was born on November 30,1975 and is a Canadian former water polo player from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.

Waneek Horn-Miller was a member of the Canadian women's water polo team that won a gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg.

Waneek Horn-Miller was a key member of the Canadian women's water polo team that won gold at the 1999 Pan Am Games.

Waneek Horn-Miller went on to help Canada win a bronze medal at the 2001 FINA World Championships.

Waneek Horn-Miller was known for her fierce competitive spirit and powerful shooting arm.

Waneek Horn-Miller was outspoken about the dismissal, accusing the organization of racism.

Waneek Horn-Miller challenged the claim and all parties, including national team coaches, athletes, and Horn-Miller, agreed to arbitration using the alternate dispute resolution system for sport.

In 2004, Waneek Horn-Miller did not return to the team and her coaches and teammates were required to undergo cultural sensitivity training and Aboriginal sensitivity training.

Waneek Horn-Miller began her athletic career as a competitive swimmer at the age of 7.

Waneek Horn-Miller switched to water polo while attending Carleton University in Ottawa, where she studied political science.

Waneek Horn-Miller graduated from Carleton as a three-time athlete of the year.

Waneek Horn-Miller is a member of the Carleton Ravens Hall of Fame.

Between 1990 and 1997, Waneek Horn-Miller has participated in the North American Indigenous Games and won over 20 gold medals, including one for rifle shooting.

In 1999, Waneek Horn-Miller won the national Tom Longboat Award that recognizes Aboriginal athletes for their outstanding contributions to sport in Canada.

In 2006, Waneek Horn-Miller was selected as a torchbearer for the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

In 2008, Waneek Horn-Miller served as a broadcaster for CBC Sports at the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing.

In October 2011, Waneek Horn-Miller teamed up with the Aboriginal Peoples' Television Network to launch a fitness and healthy-eating initiative called Working It Out Together, which follows six Mohawks on their pursuit of better health.

In November 2014, Waneek Horn-Miller was selected as an assistant chef de mission for the Canadian contingent that competed at the 2015 Pan American Games.

In 2015 Waneek Horn-Miller was named one of Canada's most influential women in sport by the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport.

Waneek Horn-Miller served as an ambassador for Nike's Native American initiative, Nike N7.

Waneek Horn-Miller is currently a brand ambassador for Manitobah Mukluks and director of their Storyboot School.

Waneek Horn-Miller was awarded the Order of Sport in 2019, marking her induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2024 Waneek Horn-Miller was selected as a host on CBC's Primetime Panel during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Waneek Horn-Miller was present at the Oka Crisis as a 14-year-old; Horn-Miller spent weeks in the occupiers' encampment while her mother served as a negotiator.

Waneek Horn-Miller, who was leading her four-year-old sister Kaniehtiio to safety, found herself face-to-face with a soldier who had, weeks earlier, refused to allow her to bring her schoolbooks into the encampment.

In 2014, Waneek Horn-Miller was one of seven people suing the Kahnawake Mohawk Council over the "marry out, stay out" policy, which prevents Mohawks who marry non-Mohawks from staying in the territory.

In February 2017, Waneek Horn-Miller was announced as the director of community engagement for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.