Lisa Koop Vikes Indigenous Athletic Award
Lisa Koop (Lisa Koop Gunn) is First Nations from Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit Delaware Nation located in Ontario, Canada. Lisa played for the Women’s Vikes Basketball Team from 1992-1998. She made an immediate impact and became a crowd favorite with her exciting and dynamic style. In her third, fourth and fifth year she had become one of the top players in the country and was named Canada West Player of the Year and a CIS All-Canadian for three consecutive seasons, from 1996-1998. During her Vikes career she received numerous other individual accolades including the BC First Nations Athlete of the Year.
In 1997-98 she helped lead the Vikes to a National Championship title. By the time she completed her five years at UVIC, she had become the team’s all-time leader for both points and assists, and still holds the VIKES record for career points. She spent three years with Canadian National Team and played professionally in Spain. In 2020, Lisa was named the U SPORTS Top 100 Women’s Basketball Players of the Century.
Lisa moved to the United States after her professional basketball career and graduated from the Seattle University School of Law in 2005. Since graduating from law school, Lisa has worked for Indian Tribes on legal issues to protect sovereignty and resources, develop reservation economies, and enhance strong tribal governance. Lisa now lives in Washington DC with her husband Brian Gunn (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indians) and her son Bronson Gunn.She continues to represent Indian Tribes both on their tribal lands and at the federal level.