Sports • Water Polo

Waneek Horn-Miller

Waneek Horn-Miller is a Canadian former water polo player from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Waneek Horn-Miller is a Canadian former water polo player from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. She co-captained Canada’s first women’s Olympic water polo team at Sydney 2000 and won gold with Canada at the 1999 Pan American Games. She later became known for advocacy, broadcasting, and Indigenous sport and wellness initiatives.

Early life

Waneek Horn-Miller is from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory near Montreal. Sources also describe her as having been present during the 1990 Oka Crisis, an event that later featured in her public advocacy.

Water polo career

Horn-Miller played for Canada’s women’s national water polo program and served as co-captain of the country’s first Olympic women’s team. Her team won gold at the 1999 Pan American Games and bronze at the 2001 FINA World Championships.

Olympic significance

At Sydney 2000, Horn-Miller became the first Mohawk woman from Canada to compete at the Olympic Games. Canada’s women’s water polo team finished fifth in that tournament.

Recognition and later work

Horn-Miller was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. She has also been active in Indigenous advocacy, sports commentary, coaching, and motivational speaking.

Key facts

First Mohawk woman from Canada to compete in the Olympic Games.
Co-captained Canada’s first women’s Olympic water polo team at Sydney 2000.
Won gold at the 1999 Pan American Games and bronze at the 2001 FINA World Championships.
Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Active in broadcasting, coaching, and Indigenous sport and wellness advocacy.

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Canadian context

Horn-Miller is significant to Canadian sport history as a member of Canada’s first women’s Olympic water polo team and as the first Mohawk woman from Canada to compete at the Olympics. She is also a notable Indigenous public figure in Canadian broadcasting and advocacy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Waneek Horn-Miller?

She is a Canadian former water polo player and Indigenous advocate from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory.

What is Waneek Horn-Miller known for in sport?

She co-captained Canada’s first women’s Olympic water polo team and won gold at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Was Waneek Horn-Miller an Olympian?

Yes. She competed at Sydney 2000 and was the first Mohawk woman from Canada to compete in the Olympic Games.

What medals did she win internationally?

She won Pan American Games gold in 1999 and World Championships bronze in 2001 with Canada’s women’s water polo team.

Has she received major honours?

Yes. She was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

What did she do after her playing career?

She has worked in broadcasting, coaching, motivational speaking, and Indigenous sport and wellness advocacy.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waneek_Horn-Miller
Supports: Birth date, nationality, Mohawk heritage, 1999 Pan Am gold, first Mohawk woman from Canada at the Olympics, and 2019 Sports Hall of Fame induction.
Olympic.ca — https://olympic.ca/team-canada/waneek-horn-miller/
Supports: Sydney 2000 role, 1999 Pan Am gold, 2001 FINA bronze, Indigenous advocacy, and Carleton University background.
Indspire — https://indspire.ca/laureate/waneek-horn-miller-2/
Supports: Mohawk heritage, early athletic background, 1999 MVP recognition, and water polo achievements.
CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/waneek-horn-miller-canada-sports-hall-fame-1.5155964
Supports: 2019 Sports Hall of Fame induction and status as first water polo player honoured.
Ottawa Water Polo — https://ottawawaterpolo.com/our-athletes/
Supports: Born and raised in Montreal, coaching and commentary work, and ongoing involvement in water polo.