Alwyn Morris facts for kids
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| Born | November 22, 1957 Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada |
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| Country |  Canada |
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| Sport | Canoe racing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Alwyn Morris, who was born on November 22, 1957, is a famous retired Canadian kayaker. He is a member of the Mohawk nation from Kahnawake. Many people see him as one of the most important Indigenous athletes ever. He is the first and only Indigenous Canadian to win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics. He is one of only three North American Indigenous people to do so. The others are Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills.
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Alwyn Morris: A Champion Kayaker
Early Days and Inspiration
When Alwyn Morris was a teenager, he watched Olympic canoeing competitions. This inspired him to become a top-level canoeist. His grandfather helped him a lot and guided him in his training.
Morris achieved his first big win in 1977. He won the Canadian National Junior Title for K-1 1,000 meters and K-1 500 meters. He also won many junior titles in his region and province in the late 1970s. From 1980 to 1984, he won six Canadian K-1 championships in a row.
Morris also won two medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships. He earned a silver medal in 1982 for K-2 1000 meters. In 1983, he won a bronze medal for K-2 500 meters.
Olympic Glory in 1984
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles were a huge success for Morris. He won a gold medal in the K-2 1000 meters race. He also earned a bronze medal in the K-2 500 meters race. His partner for both races was Hugh Fisher.
The Eagle Feather Salute
After winning the gold medal in the K-2 1000m race, Alwyn Morris did something special. While standing on the podium with his partner Hugh Fisher, he raised an eagle feather. This gesture became very meaningful for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
In an interview in 2009, Morris explained why he raised the eagle feather. First, he wanted to honor his grandparents, who raised him. It was important for him to remember his grandfather, who had passed away before seeing his Olympic win. Morris said he wanted to show respect for what his grandfather taught him.
Second, Morris wanted to share his victory with all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. He also wanted to show his Indigenous identity to all Canadians. He felt it was important to be recognized as a Mohawk person. He wanted to share his success with that part of who he is.
Morris's Eagle Feather Salute is often compared to the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute. That salute was done by U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Both events are seen as powerful examples of athletes using sports to make a statement. They showed how sports can be a way to stand up for important causes.
Other Important Activities
After the Oka Crisis in 1990, Morris started working in politics. He focused on issues related to Indigenous self-governance. He has been an active member of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. He also advises on Indigenous rights and land issues.
Morris had a dream to create sports programs for Indigenous athletes and young people. In 1995, he helped create the Aboriginal Sport Circle. This is a national group that supports Indigenous sports. He is currently the chairperson of this organization.
On December 8, 2009, Morris carried the Olympic torch through Kahnawake, Quebec. This was part of the torch relay for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
Awards and Recognition
Alwyn Morris has received many awards for his achievements. He won the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the sports category. He also won the Tom Longboat Award in both 1977 and 1984. This award honors Indigenous athletes who have made great contributions to sports in Canada. In 2000, he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
His sports achievements have greatly inspired Indigenous communities across Canada. Joe Delaronde, a staff member of the Mohawk Council, said: "I could never even fathom, that somebody from this community would be the best in the entire world."
See also
In Spanish: Alwyn Morris para niños
