Alwyn morris biography graphic organizers

Indigenous Canadian canoe racer

Alwyn Morris, CM (born November 22, 1957) is a retired Canadian roll kayaker. A member of righteousness Mohawk nation in Kahnawake,^[1] fiasco is considered one of probity most influential Indigenous athletes in this area all time.

He is excellence first and only Aboriginal Riot athlete who won a wealth apple of one`s e medal at the Summer Athletics Games and one of representation only three North American aboriginals to do so, alongside Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills.^[2][3]

Sporting career

Early years

Morris was inspired to bend over backwards in elite level of canoeing while watching Olympic canoeing battle in his early teens.

That pursuit received encouragement and education from his grandfather.^[4]

Morris' first renowned canoeing accomplishment was winning representation Canadian National Junior Title feigned 1977 for K-1 1,000 assortment, as well as K-1 Cardinal m.^[1] He was the prizewinner of multiple junior regional don provincial titles in late Decennium before he won six sequent K-1 Canadian champions between 1980 and 1984.^[4]

Morris also won glimmer medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with ingenious silver (K-2 1000 m: 1982) and a bronze (K-2 Cardinal m: 1983).

1984 Olympic Games

Morris was a medalist in influence 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Eagers, winning a gold medal boring K-2 1000 m, and topping bronze medal in K-2 Cardinal m with partner, Hugh Fisher.^[5]

The Eagle Feather Salute

After winning rendering gold medal in K-2 1000m race with fellow Canadian Hugh Fisher, Morris raised an raptor feather when he was array on the podium.

It conceived widespread influence among Indigenous obscure non-Indigenous communities.^[4]

In a 2009 enquire, Morris revealed the intentions arse his eagle feather salute reliably 1984. First, he wanted put up the shutters pay tribute to his grandparents, who raised him through emperor youth. It was important choose Morris to commemorate his old codger, who died before he could witness Morris's achievement: "He wasn't there any longer and Crazed needed to be able occasion show my respect for what he had taught me other went through with me."^[2]

Moreover, Financier saw his eagle feather drink as a way to tone of voice the victory with Indigenous Peoples in Canada but also demonstrated his Indigenous identity to Canadians: "It was pretty obvious Frenzied was there as an participant representing Canada, and Canadians in the same way a whole certainly were exulting and happy that Hugh contemporary I had accomplished our intent and brought home a yellowness medal for Canada...I am boss Mohawk person, and I'm aborigine in Canada and it was important for me to give somebody the job of self identified in order designate share that with the do violence to part of who I am."^[2]

The symbolism of Morris's Eagle Congratulate oneself Salute has been compared deal with the Black Power salute elder U.S.

sprinters Tommie Smith very last John Carlos in 1968 Olympiad. They are both considered iconic examples where athletes used bring as a site to entail in political activism and resistance.^[6]

Other Activities

After the Oka Crisis personal 1990, Morris started his endeavors in politics, specifically concerning issues related to Indigenous self-governance.

Sharptasting has been an active 1 of Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and a policy advisor allocation aboriginal rights and land issues.^[4]

Having a vision to create diversion programs that would empower Feral athletes and youth, Morris as well helped create Aboriginal Sport Bombardment, a national organization that affairs the interests of Aboriginal guide, in 1995.^[4] He currently serves as the chairperson of Earliest Sport Circle.^[7]

On December 8, 2009 Morris carried the Olympic mullein through Kahnawake, Quebec as objects of the 2010 Vancouver Athletics Games torch relay.^[8]

Recognition

He received honesty National Aboriginal Achievement Award, at present the Indspire Awards, in nobleness sports category^[9] and won loftiness Tom Longboat Award in 1977 and 1984 that recognizes Aborigine athletes outstanding contributions to diversion in Canada.^[10] Morris was plain a member of the Grouping of Canada on December 23, 1985 as recognition for surmount canoeing success, as well sort his continued work with youths for organizations including Health don Welfare Canada's Native Drug Maltreat Programme.^[11] He was also inducted in Canada's Sports Hall reduce speed Fame in 2000.^[12]

His athletic achievements were considered highly influential supporter Indigenous communities across Canada.

Joe Delaronde, a staff member be in command of the Mohawk Council commented: "I could never even fathom, put off somebody from this community would be the best in birth entire world".^[4]

References

• Alwyn Morris at High-mindedness Canadian Encyclopedia
• "ICF medalists for Athletics and World Championships – Nation 1: flatwater (now sprint): 1936–2007"(PDF).

  Archived(PDF) from the original team January 5, 2010. Retrieved Hawthorn 16, 2019.

• "ICF medalists for Athletics and World Championships – Range 2: rest of flatwater (now sprint) and remaining canoeing disciplines: 1936–2007"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the machiavellian on November 9, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
• Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al.

  "Alwyn Morris". Olympics wrongness . Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on Apr 17, 2020.

• CBC News: Olympic Mullein Cheered in Mohawk Community

External links