Martha Benjamin facts for kids
Martha Benjamin (born in 1935) is an amazing Indigenous cross-country skier from Old Crow, Yukon. She belongs to the Vuntut Gwitch'in First Nation. With help from Jean-Marie Mouchet, she started cross-country skiing.
Martha became a top skier in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She competed across Canada, the United States, and even in Europe!
Contents
Life in Old Crow
Martha Benjamin has lived in Old Crow, Yukon, her whole life. She got married before she was 25 years old. Martha has five children and thirteen grandchildren. Her family is a very important part of her life.
Her Incredible Skiing Journey
Martha Benjamin achieved many great things in her skiing career. She showed incredible talent and determination.
Competing Against Men
At the US Nationals in New Hampshire, Martha competed in a race with 69 men. She finished in an impressive twenty-sixth place! This showed how strong and skilled she was.
Canadian Champion!
In 1963, Martha became the Canadian women's Nordic Champion. She won the 10-kilometer cross-country skiing race. This big win happened in Midland, Ontario. Her winning time was 43 minutes and 29 seconds.
Almost an Olympian
Martha trained with Team Canada for the 1964 Winter Olympics. These Olympics were held in Innsbruck, Austria. However, she could not go to the Olympics. This was due to family responsibilities and challenges with funding and support. Even so, training with the national team was a huge achievement!
Honored in the Yukon
In 1983, Martha Benjamin was honored for her sports achievements. She was inducted into the Yukon Sports Hall of Fame. This special award celebrates athletes who have made a big impact in Yukon sports.
