NWT skiing legend Sharon Firth and her late sister, Shirley Firth Larsson, were formally inducted into the Canada Games Hall of Honour at a St John’s ceremony on Friday.
The 2025 Canada Games, being hosted by Newfoundland and Labrador, begin with an opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon before the sports commence on Sunday.
About 130 NWT athletes are taking part.
At her induction into the Canada Games Hall of Honour, Firth dedicated that recognition to the territory’s athletes competing this year, to her Elders past and present, and to her late parents and sister.
From Aklavik, twin sisters Sharon and Shirley represented Team NT at the 1971 and 1975 Canada Winter Games. Sharon subsequently raced for Alberta at the 1979 Canada Games.
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The two, who were among the first female Indigenous athletes to represent Canada at the Olympic Games, competed at four consecutive Winter Olympics in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984. Shirley passed away in 2013.
Below, read excerpts from Sharon’s speech at Friday’s ceremony, where she and Shirley were joined in being inducted to the Hall of Honour by Jennifer Bishop, Diana Matheson, Ajay Patel and Lennox Lewis.
“The journey to this stage is never travelled alone. I had my sidekick, my twin sister. It is a mosaic of early morning practices, late night pep talks and the unwavering belief of those who cheered us on when the finish line seemed out of reach. Every stride, every setback and every victory is interwoven with the encouragement and sacrifice of so many who walked this path before and beside us.
“What sets the Canada Games apart is this sense of shared destiny, of communities and cultures coming together in the pursuit of something greater than individual glory. Here, every story matters. Whether it is the athlete who found courage in quiet moments, the volunteer who lent a steady hand, or the fan who never stopped believing, together we have built something.
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“Just as the Games has evolved, so too have the ways we honour and reconcile with our shared history across the territories and provinces. Reconciliation finds its footing in sport as traditional knowledge, culture and new aspirations meet on common ground. The warmth of a handshake between rivals, the pride reflected in the parents’ eyes, the celebration of every finish – these are the moments that illuminate the deeper work of building bridges and strengthening understanding. We are more than athletes. We are storytellers, bridge builders and trailblazers. The Canada Games have taught us the true reward of competition.
“The stories we carry, like those of so many gathered here, are not defined by the absence of hardship but by our response to it. We have persevered through personal setbacks, cultural barriers and the weight of expectations, learning to transform obstacles into stepping stones. Our journey’s stepping stones began on my parents’ trap line, population 15: my parents and 13 children. We lived on the mighty Mackenzie River. We are survivors and victims of the Indian Day School.
“The Canada Games taught us to believe in ourselves, set big dreams, and be proud of our Indigenous culture and heritage. As we celebrate our victories, it is essential to remember the true meaning of sport extends far beyond the scoreboard. It is about fostering reconciliation, inclusion and understanding, about using our platforms not only to inspire but to listen, to heal and to amplify voices that have too often been silenced.
“Sport gives us a unique power to convene, to connect and to challenge the status quo. It enables us to break cycles of inclusion, to foster understanding across generations and cultures and to inspire change both on and off the field. To reconcile is to listen deeply, to acknowledge truths and to hold space for every narrative, especially those that have long gone unheard. It is in the act of coming together on and off the field that we begin to heal, to understand and to envision a Canada where every athlete is celebrated for their whole self.
“This is our Canada: simple, beautiful and always growing, guided by the wisdom of the land and the love we share for one another. Canada is home. Let’s make a difference together.
“Finally, I dedicate this Canada Games hall of honour to my Elders past and present, all NWT athletes here today, and especially to the memory of my late parents and my late twin sister and best friend, Shirley. Shirley and I challenged one another to be Canada’s top Gwich’in Nordic skiers nationally and internationally. It all started at the Canada Winter Games. In my mind’s eye and in my heart and soul, we gave Canada our best.
“Mahsi cho, thank you for this incredible honour. May the values we celebrate tonight light the way for a future generation to follow our trails.”
