I want to share a short film with you that shines a light on the life of NDN All-Star #8 Tom Longboat (Onondaga). It’s about five minutes long, and every second is worth it. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it here:
The film tells the story of Longboat’s rise from the Six Nations of the Grand River to becoming one of the most celebrated long-distance runners in the world. Born in 1887 and given the Onondaga name Cogwagee—meaning “Everything”—Longboat endured a hard childhood. He was forced into the Mohawk Institute Residential School, a place built to erase Indigenous identity. He refused to let that define him. Longboat ran away, found his way back home, and discovered that running would be his path forward.
The video highlights the moment he stunned the world by winning the Boston Marathon in 1907. His stride was smooth, his endurance unmatched, and his victory made headlines around the globe. But fame didn’t protect him from racism. Reporters and promoters often painted him with stereotypes, calling him undisciplined or unreliable, even while he was setting records. The film doesn’t shy away from showing that tension—how he could be both celebrated and disrespected at the same time.
It also reminds us of his service in World War I, where he worked as a dispatch runner for the Canadian Expeditionary Force. That meant carrying messages on foot across dangerous battlefields. It was grueling, but it was also a role only someone with his endurance and courage could take on.
What I appreciate most about this short film is the way it centers Longboat’s humanity. He wasn’t just a runner or a record-setter. He was a man who lived through hardship, who carried pride in his identity, and who kept moving forward despite how the world tried to label him. The filmmakers give us more than highlights—they give us a sense of who he was as a person.
Today, NDN All-Star #8 Tom Longboat’s legacy continues through the Tom Longboat Awards, which celebrate Indigenous athletes across Canada. But watching this five-minute film is a reminder that his story is still alive, still relevant, and still inspiring. It asks us to see beyond the headlines and honor the fullness of his journey.
So take a few minutes to watch it. Let it sink in. Then think about the other Indigenous athletes whose stories deserve to be told this way. That’s why I created this Video Archeology series—to make sure our NDN All-Stars aren’t forgotten, but remembered for everything they gave to the world.
Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager” of NDN All-Stars, dedicated to celebrating great Native American athletes past and present. A first-generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, he makes his home in Omak, WA.
👉 Every purchase from the NDN All-Stars Shop helps us keep these stories alive for future generations.
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