Sharon and Shirley Firth Inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Publication date: 
April 22nd, 2015

Yellowknife, NT (April 22, 2015) – The Sport North Federation is proud to celebrate the induction announcement of Sharon and Shirley Firth to the Class of 2015 in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. 

Sharon and Shirley Firth were the first indigenous athletes to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. The sisters participated in the Territorial Experiential Ski Training (T.E.S.T.) program that introduced cross-country skiing to northern Canada and as a result, eventually became members of the first ever Canadian women’s cross-country ski team at the Sapporo 1972 Olympic Winter Games. The Firth sisters went on to represent Canada at 4 Olympic Winter Games, 4 World Ski Championships, and were members of the National Cross-Country Ski Team for 17 years. Both Sharon and Shirley were inducted into the NWT Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

“We are proud to have Sharon and Shirley inducted into the Canada Sport Hall of Fame. The Firth sisters were both inspiring and highly accomplished competitors” said Sport North President, Maureen Miller.  “Their commitment to Cross Country Skiing has been integral to the growth of the sport in the north and this recognition by the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame will leave a lasting impact on northern athletes for years to come”.

Sharon and Shirley Firth will be officially inducted into the Class of 2015 Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on October 21st, 2015 at a gala awards show at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, ON.

For more information contact:

Melanie Kornacki
mkornacki@sportnorth.com
(867) 669-8378