Phyllis Bomberry was a trailblazer for Indigenous women in sports. As a vocal advocate for racial unity within sports, her legacy lives on in Canadian sports today.
Softball Player | c.1943-2020
Phyllis Bomberry’s athletic journey began at a young age, excelling in softball house leagues both on and off the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. Dubbed “Yogi” for her exceptional catching skills, she became a star player on the Ohsweken Mohawks team (1951-1963). Recognized for her talent, Yogi joined The Toronto Carpetland team in the Ontario Senior Women’s League. The team achieved back-to-back victories in the Senior Canadian Women’s Softball Championship in 1967 and 1968, with Yogi earning top batter and all-star catcher distinctions. In 1969, the team won gold at the inaugural Canada Games – where Yogi was hailed as the Most Valuable Player and all-star catcher once again.
As the first woman to receive the Tom Longboat award, Yogi broke barriers for Indigenous women in sports, inspiring generations of athletes.