Wally Firth, N.W.T.’s first Indigenous MP, remembered as a humble trailblazer [Video]

The first Indigenous member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories is being remembered as a humble trailblazer who paved the way for Indigenous rights and self-determination in the territory.

Wally Firth died in the early hours of Saturday morning at the age of 89, according to his family.

James Ross grew up in Firth’s home community of Fort McPherson, and first got to know Firth when he was serving as MP. Later, he became part of the Firth family when he married Wally’s niece Mary.

“Wally was truly a trailblazer,” he said. “A really humble man that had knowledge beyond anyone that I know.” 

Firth’s accomplishments include time spent as one of the first Indigenous managers at the Hudson’s Bay in the Northwest Territories, a career as one of the first Northern Indigenous commercial pilots, and jobs as a radio host and journalist at CBC North.

He served as the …