Dana Laframboise

Dana Laframboise (born April 25, 1980) is a champion lightweight boxer from Canada, who won the silver medal at the 1999 Pan American Games. Laframboise is a nine-time provincial champion, a Canadian national gold medalist at the junior, intermediate and senior levels and has won many international titles to name but a few. His record stands at 124 bouts, with 106 wins and 18 losses.

Laframboise is of the Muscowpetung First Nation, and was a gold medalist in the 1990, 1993, 1995 and 1997 North American Indigeneous Games and eventually became a member of the Canadian Boxing Team

In May 1999, Laframboise had 23 days to complete Grade 12 after having missed approximately two months of school due to boxing commitments. He was presented with a huge opportunity to go to Liverpool, England to represent Canada at an elite tournament. Instead, he chose to finish out his 23 days. His decision upset the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association, but made his mother proud.

The highlight of Laframboise's boxing career came during the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg in August 1999. Forty-two countries were in attendance and Laframboise took the silver medal after being defeated in the final match by the Cuban contender Mario Kindelán. During the ceremonies that followed the fight, Laframboise took the hand of the Cuban winner and together they raised the Cuban flag.

Laframboise's great-grandmother gave him his Indian name of "Leader" when he was still a baby. His deceased uncle Lawrence Lavallee was also a powerful influence. After winning the silver medal in Winnipeg he said, "I want to give this medal to my Uncle for encouraging me and many others in our traditional ways. I will keep this medal forever as a reminder that the only way I can keep my own strength is to share it with others."