Walter Firth

With great sadness and loss, the family of Walter (Wally) Firth advises of his passing March 2, 2024 in his 89th year. Wally was a man of the North who lived a full life of personal achievement and significant contribution to his society. Born in Fort McPherson, NWT, to parents William and Mary Firth, Wally also lived in Arctic Red River, Inuvik, Wrigley, Fort Smith, Yellowknife, Whitehorse and Ottawa before his retirement in Victoria, BC. A gathering of family and friends marked his passing March 6 at Dignity Memorial in Victoria. A community memorial to salute Wally’s life will be held in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, at 2 PM, Saturday March 23, 2024 at Saint Matthew’s Anglican Church.

As with his father and grandfather, Wally was employed by the Hudson Bay Company and managed several posts. His varied work experience then included working briefly in wildlife management before beginning a broadcasting career with the CBC Northern Service in Inuvik and Yellowknife that spanned several periods. Wally also obtained a commercial pilot’s license and was a bush pilot. His flying ability was put to good use when he began supporting political and community development in many communities of the NWT, sponsored by the Canadian Association ln Support of Native Peoples. This important phase of his career contributed to creation of territorial First Nation and Métis organizations to advance the interests of the North’s first residents. Wally then moved on to federal politics where, in 1972, under the banner of the New Democratic Party, he became the first indigenous Member of Parliament from Canada’s northern territories. He was re-elected in 1974 with increased electoral support.

Wally Firth is survived by his siblings Rose, Anne, John, Larry, Elizabeth, Judy and Peter with many nieces and nephews. Before his passing Wally expressed gratitude to his family and many friends who had contributed to his rewarding life, with particular recognition of his fellow northerners in the NWT and other parts of Canada.

Wally was a man of music and words, largely self-taught both in his formal schooling and his musical talents. Wally continued the Firth family tradition to play the fiddle at community events and also became proficient with saxophone, piano and guitar. He was a mentor to many young northerners. Wally’s musical interests were matched by a love of books, life-long learning, and the words of many poets. Given the Scottish element of his heritage, Robbie Burns was one of his favourites. We conclude this farewell tribute with a poem from Burns that reflects our respect for Wally Firth and our joy for having known a true man of the North.

An honest man here lies at rest,

As e’er God with His image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d;

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.