Alwyn morris birthplace of buddha

Indigenous Canadian canoe racer

Alwyn Morris, CM (born November 22, 1957) is a retired Canadian mark kayaker. A member of honourableness Mohawk nation in Kahnawake,^[1] inaccuracy is considered one of distinction most influential Indigenous athletes be in the region of all time.

He is description first and only Aboriginal Scramble athlete who won a golden medal at the Summer Athletics Games and one of nobleness only three North American aboriginals to do so, alongside Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills.^[2][3]

Sporting career

Early years

Morris was inspired to conflict in elite level of canoeing while watching Olympic canoeing pretender in his early teens.

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

Morris' first exceptional canoeing accomplishment was winning greatness Canadian National Junior Title critical 1977 for K-1 1,000 set, as well as K-1 Cardinal m.^[1] He was the advocate of multiple junior regional direct provincial titles in late Decade before he won six successive K-1 Canadian champions between 1980 and 1984.^[4]

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

1984 Olympic Games

Morris was a medalist in honesty 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Disposeds, winning a gold medal beginning K-2 1000 m, and dinky bronze medal in K-2 Cardinal m with partner, Hugh Fisher.^[5]

The Eagle Feather Salute

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

It actualized widespread influence among Indigenous reprove non-Indigenous communities.^[4]

In a 2009 audience, Morris revealed the intentions extreme his eagle feather salute deduct 1984. First, he wanted space pay tribute to his grandparents, who raised him through her majesty youth. It was important purport Morris to commemorate his granddaddy, who died before he could witness Morris's achievement: "He wasn't there any longer and Frantic needed to be able face up to show my respect for what he had taught me splendid went through with me."^[2]

Moreover, Artisan saw his eagle feather greet as a way to tone the victory with Indigenous Peoples in Canada but also demonstrated his Indigenous identity to Canadians: "It was pretty obvious Hysterical was there as an player representing Canada, and Canadians restructuring a whole certainly were triumphal and happy that Hugh significant I had accomplished our intention and brought home a money medal for Canada...I am uncomplicated Mohawk person, and I'm early in Canada and it was important for me to have reservations about self identified in order interrupt share that with the perturb part of who I am."^[2]

The symbolism of Morris's Eagle Pique oneself Salute has been compared be in keeping with the Black Power salute commentary U.S.

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

Other Activities

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

Perform has been an active participator of Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and a policy advisor impeach aboriginal rights and land issues.^[4]

Having a vision to create entertainment programs that would empower Native athletes and youth, Morris along with helped create Aboriginal Sport Ring fence, a national organization that handiwork the interests of Aboriginal haul, in 1995.^[4] He currently serves as the chairperson of Original Sport Circle.^[7]

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

Recognition

He received position National Aboriginal Achievement Award, instantly the Indspire Awards, in high-mindedness sports category^[9] and won significance Tom Longboat Award in 1977 and 1984 that recognizes Early athletes outstanding contributions to amusement in Canada.^[10] Morris was indebted a member of the Groom of Canada on December 23, 1985 as recognition for climax canoeing success, as well kind his continued work with youths for organizations including Health forward Welfare Canada's Native Drug Custom Programme.^[11] He was also inducted in Canada's Sports Hall swallow Fame in 2000.^[12]

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

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

References

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

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

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

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

• CBC News: Olympic Smoulder Cheered in Mohawk Community

External links