Four-time Olympian to receive honourary doctor of laws

The first Indigenous woman elected to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame will be receiving an honourary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta on Wednesday.

Sharon Firth, a member of the Gwich'in First Nation, became a four-time Olympian in cross-country skiing between 1972 and 1987 and represented Canada in three world championships. She and her sister Shirley dominated the Canadian women’s cross country skiing scene for many years.

Firth received the Order of Canada in 1987, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award 2002 and Queen's Silver Jubilee Award 2012. She was inducted into the Banff Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

Firth, who attended residential school, will be addressing graduating students from the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation.