Island powwow dancer selected as National Hero
WIKWEMIKONG—Six-year-old Wii’um Morin has been selected as one of five Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS) National Heroes.
Although Wii’um resides in Sudbury, his mother Robin Wemigwans and much of his extended family are from Wikwemikong and return often to visit with family including his grandparents Julia and Gordon Wemigwans.
“My wife and I were pretty excited when we learned that Wii’um had been named a CDSS National Hero,” said Wii’um’s father William Morin. “He teaches us so much every day and it is wonderful that we can now share what he gives us daily with a broader audience.”
“A hero should teach you something,” commented Wii’um’s teacher Elissa Zuliani. “A hero should make you stop and evaluate yourself and question how you can be a better person. The essential lesson that I learned during my time with Wii’um is that I was never the teacher, he was. Wii’um has made me want to be a better person; more like him, in fact. I saw, through the little things he did on a daily basis, how he cared for others.”
“His actions spoke volumes about his character and the values he upholds,” she continued. “When a little boy, who cannot communicate the way we do with words, is showing you what compassion looks like, what kindness looks like, what patience looks like, what helping someone in need looks like, you cannot help but be humbled and ultimately look up to him as a hero.”
“When Wii’um was born one month premature with a hole in his heart and other health issues we were so proud of him,” commented Mr. Morin. “He is so strong and recovered quickly. It was a shock at first when we found out that he had Down syndrome yet we looked at each other with pride, that we were truly gifted by the Creator. Wii’um reminds me to slow down, teaches me patience, leaving me in awe in his daily discoveries.”
“Wii’um is my hero because he teaches me and so many others to see with all your senses, to feel empathy, compassion, and joys in others successes and failures,” added Ms. Wemigwans. “He shows you patience, love and generosity by sharing his heart and personality with you. When someone can’t speak there are ways to hear their needs through body language, gestures and other sounds. When someone can’t see, you can feel. Wii’um sees the world in a unique way and he is my hero for teaching me all those other ways of learning.”
Wii’um is well known across Northern Ontario for his spirit and commitment to the Ojibway people and customs,” continued Mr. Morin. “We spend our summers on the powwow trail across Ontario and he is a traditional dancer known across the North Shore and Manitoulin. An energetic performer, he is often seen taking the microphone from the powwow emcees to share the sound of bird call or share a story.”
Mr. Morin said that even in September, when the powwow’s have concluded for the season, Wii’um often brings out his drum and sings, sparking a family powwow.
Wii’um has been dancing from a young age, learning from his family and other dancers on the powwow trail, including his parents, who are both traditional dancers, and big sisters Annie Wemigwans (14-years-old) who is a fancy shawl dancer and 12-year-old Liza Wemigwans, a jingle dress dancer.
“We just want to thank the many people who have helped foster his passion for dancing and our culture,” shared Mr. Morin. “The beauty and joy of their support has helped shape who he is.”
[pullquote]“We just want to thank the many people who have helped foster his passion for dancing and our culture,” shared Mr. Morin. “The beauty and joy of their support has helped shape who he is.”[/pullquote]
Wii’um has now become a dancing and cultural mentor himself, sharing his passion with his little brother, three-year-old M’Komii Morin.
When Wii’um isn’t dancing or at school he enjoys drawing, colouring, blocks, playing with friends and swimming.
This year the CDSS gave each hero a prize of $500 to donate towards a local organization, help pay education fees or put towards special goals.
Wii’um and his family chose to donate his money towards the Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury.
“Our local DSAS group works hard to network and partner with many other local groups to grow the awareness of down syndrome in our community,” explained Wii’um’s parents. “They are always coming up with activities and events for local families with Down syndrome to come together and help us see that we are not alone in our challenges. They are great at to showing the rest of our community that less than six degrees separate us all and that we are all touched in special ways with someone with Down syndrome.”
Congratulations to Wii’um. We look forward to seeing you at the Manitoulin powwows this summer.
