Tom Longboat Runner Plaque

Tom Longboat (Onondaga: Gagwe:gih), one of the most famous athletes of the early twentieth century, was an Onondaga long-distance runner from the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve.

He is regarded as one of Canada’s earliest celebrity athletes, with his athletic achievements renowned throughout North America and beyond. Longboat was a pioneer in developing marathon running as an international sport, winning several marathons in record-breaking times while defeating opponents from all over the world. Additionally, he was the first Indigenous person to win the Boston Marathon in 1907. He represented Canada in the 1908 Olympic Games. Longboat was inducted into both the Canadian and Ontario Sports Halls of Fame. In addition, the Tom Longboat Awards were established in 1951 to celebrate Indigenous athletes for their outstanding contributions to sports in Canada.

Tom Longboat enlisted to serve in World War I at the age of 29. He served as a dispatch carrier with the 107th Pioneer Battalion in France, running messages and orders between stations. He continued to participate in inter-battalion sporting contests, winning many of them. Notably, he won the eight-mile race at the 1918 Canadian Corps Dominion Day competitions. Longboat was wounded twice during his service. There were rumours and instances where he was declared dead, but he survived the war and returned to Canada in 1919.

Longboat’s service in the war highlights the contributions of Indigenous Canadians to our war efforts. Despite facing discrimination and challenges at home, many Indigenous individuals volunteered to serve overseas, exhibiting their dedication and commitment to a country that did not always treat them fairly. Longboat broke barriers in the world of sports, challenging and overcoming racial prejudices of his time.