Sharon Firth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharon Firth
Country	Canada
Born	(1953-12-31) December 31, 1953 (age 71) Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Canada
World Cup career
Seasons	3 – (1982–1984)
Indiv. podiums	0
Indiv. starts	12
Team starts	0
Overall titles	0 – (29th in 1982)

Sharon Firth (born December 31, 1953) is a Canadian former cross-country skier. She competed in four Winter Olympic Games: 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1984. Sharon's mother was Gwich'in and her father was Métis. She and her twin sister, Shirley, grew up in the Gwich'in First Nation.

Sharon and her twin sister, Shirley Firth, were both members of Canada's national cross-country team from 1968 to 1985. They were the first Indigenous women to compete for Canada in the Winter Olympics. Together, the sisters won 79 medals at national championships.

Awards and Recognition

Sharon Firth has received many important awards for her achievements. In 2005, she received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the sports category. She also received the John Semmelink Memorial Award in 1972 and the Commissioner’s Award in 1981.

In 1987, Sharon was awarded the Order of Canada, which is one of Canada's highest honours. She also received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. In 2015, Sharon and Shirley became the first Indigenous women to be inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Sharon was also inducted into the Canadian Ski Museum and Skiing Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2012, she joined the NWT Sport Hall of Fame.

Early Training

Sharon and Shirley Firth were part of the Territorial Experimental Ski Training (TEST) Program. This program was started in 1965 by Father Jean Marie Mouchet. It received funding from the Canadian government. The program began in Old Crow, Yukon, and later expanded to Inuvik. The sisters attended school at Groller Hall Residential School, where the program was run.

Their coach, Bjorger Pettersen, said about them: "They didn't have an easy upbringing and were very timid when they first came. Of all the skiers I had they were the most competitive and determined. In Inuvik we often skied at forty-five below zero; their lungs were used to cold weather."

Life After Skiing

After her successful cross-country skiing career, Sharon Firth moved to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She worked for the government of the Northwest Territories. She became a Youth Program Advisor, helping young people in the region.

Further Honours

In 2017, Sharon Firth received an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Alberta. This is a special degree given to people who have made great contributions. In 2018, she was made a member of the Order of the Northwest Territories.

Olympic Skiing Results

Sharon Firth competed in many races at the Olympic Games. Here are her results from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

World Championship Results

Sharon Firth also competed in the World Championships.