Casinos aid Native boxers

World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Hip, to Coach Indian Youth and Spar at Spooner, Wisconsin's Olympic Hopefuls BenefitNative 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.

"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 p.m., the Native American Boxing Superstars will clinic top regional boxers from Team Amos, Red Lake, Mo Lake, plus Lakotas.