Alwyn Morris

In a 2009 interview, Morris revealed the intentions behind his eagle feather salute in 1984. First, he wanted to pay tribute to his grandparents, who raised him through his youth. It was important for Morris to commemorate his grandfather, who died before he could witness Morris's achievement: "He wasn't there any longer and I needed to be able to show my respect for what he had taught me and went through with me."

On December 8, 2009 Morris carried the Olympic torch through Kahnawake, Quebec as part of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games torch relay.

Having a vision to create sport programs that would empower Indigenous athletes and youth, Morris also helped create Aboriginal Sport Circle, a national organization that concerns the interests of Aboriginal sport, in 1995. He currently serves as the chairperson of Aboriginal Sport Circle.

After the Oka Crisis in 1990, Morris started his endeavors in politics, specifically concerning issues related to Indigenous self-governance. He has been an active member of Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and a policy advisor on aboriginal rights and land issues.

He received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, now the Indspire Awards, in the sports category and won the Tom Longboat Award in 1977 and 1984 that recognizes Aboriginal athletes outstanding contributions to sport in Canada. Morris was made a member of the Order of Canada in December 23, 1985 as recognition for his canoeing success, as well as his continued work with youths for organizations including Health and Welfare Canada's Native Drug Abuse Programme. He was also inducted in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Morris was a medalist in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in K-2 1,000m, and a bronze medal in K-2 500m with partner, Hugh Fisher.

Morris' first notable canoeing accomplishment was winning the Canadian National Junior Title in 1977 for K-1 1,000m, as well as K-1 500m. He was the winner of multiple junior regional and provincial titles in late 1970s before won six consecutive K-1 Canadian champions between 1980 and 1984.

The symbolism of Morris's Eagle Feather Salute has been compared with the Black Power salute of U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos in 1968 Olympics. They are both considered iconic examples where athletes used sport as a site to engage in political activism and resistance.

Alwyn Morris, CM (born November 22, 1957) is a retired Canadian sprint kayaker. A member of the Mohawk nation in Kahnawake, he is considered one of the most influential Indigenous athletes of all time. He is the first and only Aboriginal Canadian athlete who won a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games and one of the only three North American aboriginals to do so, alongside Jim Thorpe and Billy Mills.