Shirley Firth

Shirley Firth (31 December 1953 in Aklavik, Northwest Territories – 30 April 2013) was a Canadian cross-country skier who competed in the Winter Olympics in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984.[1]

A member of the Gwich'in First Nation, Firth was one of the first indigenous North Americans to represent Canada in the Olympic Games.[1] Firth was the recipient of the Order of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.[1]

She was the twin sister of fellow ski team member Sharon Firth. They became the first indigenous women to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.[2] Shirley had previously received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the sports category in 2006.[3]

Firth died at her home in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, on 30 April 2013, at the age of 59.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Olympics". sports-reference. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "First indigenous women inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame". As it happens. CBC Radio. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Achievement award winners announced". Aboriginal Multi-Media Society. Retrieved 31 October 2016.


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