Alwyn Morris, CM was born on November 22,1957 and is a retired Canadian sprint kayaker.
10 Facts About Alwyn Morris
Alwyn Morris 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.
Alwyn Morris won two medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with a silver and a bronze.
Alwyn Morris was a medalist in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in K-2 1000 m, and a bronze medal in K-2 500 m with partner, Hugh Fisher.
Alwyn Morris has been an active member of Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and a policy advisor on aboriginal rights and land issues.
Alwyn Morris currently serves as the chairperson of Aboriginal Sport Circle.
On December 8,2009 Alwyn Morris carried the Olympic torch through Kahnawake, Quebec as part of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games torch relay.
Alwyn Morris 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.
Alwyn Morris was made a member of the Order of Canada on 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.
Alwyn Morris was inducted in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.