Sharon Firth’s career in cross-country skiing is an inspiring story of passion, strength, and excellence. In celebration of her incredible athletic achievements, Firth joins the Canada Games Hall of Honour in 2025. Throughout her career she represented both her territory and her country in a number of competitions, putting Canada on the map in cross-country skiing and breaking down barriers for Indigenous women in Canadian sport.

Firth was born in Aklavik, Northwest Territories. She first competed at the Saskatoon 1971 Canada Games, taking home a silver in cross-country skiing. Along with her twin sister Shirley, Firth was one of the first Indigenous women to compete in the Canada Games, after the inaugural event in 1967.

She continued to compete as a cross-country skier at the Lethbridge 1975 Canada Games, and again at the Brandon 1979 Canada Games. Referencing the medal haul in 1971, Firth discussed how the Games were just the start of a career at the highest level of international sport.

“Our Northwest Territories women’s cross-country ski team cleaned up in individual events and the 3x5km,” Firth said. “It was a dream to make it to the Games, it was a stepping stone to the Olympics, World Championships. World Cup Series, and 17 Years on the Canadian National Ski Team.”

Along with her sister, Firth dominated the sport of cross country skiing in the 1970s and 1980s, with the two capturing a combined 48 Canadian championships, and 79 national medals.

She was a part of Canada's first women’s Olympic cross-country team, and was one of the first Indigenous athletes to compete for Canada at the Olympics. She became a four-time Olympian competing in the 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics. The Firth twins remain Canada’s only Olympic skiers to compete in four consecutive Olympic Games.

Coming from Gwich’in First Nation, Firth said breaking barriers in Canada and on the international stage is one of the highlights of her career.

“I was one of the first Indigenous women to make it to the four Olympics and three World Ski Championships,” she said when asked what part of her career made her the most proud.

Firth has been recognized by many of Canada’s sports organizations for breaking down barriers for Indigenous athletes and for her incredible passion for the sport. She was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum 1990, and the Northwest Territories Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. She also received the Order of Canada in 1987 for her athletic excellence and community advocacy.

After retiring from competition she became a youth program advisor in the Northwest Territories advocating for the positive influence of sport, and remains a role model for Indigenous youth in the sporting community.