Wally Firth, N.W.T.'s first Indigenous MP, remembered as a humble trailblazer

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 NDP MP for the N.W.T, which then encompassed all of Nunavut as well, from 1972 to 1979.

Back in those days, if you were lucky, you might get a call from Firth to talk about his favourite passion: fiddle music.

"There's stories of him calling people from his office in the House of Commons and playing a fiddle tune over the phone so people could hear what song he was trying to learn," recalled Michael McLeod, the N.W.T.'s current MP.

"He would share any which way he could."

McLeod, whose father was Firth's cousin, said he recalls Firth dropping by his little house in Fort Providence when he was growing up.

"I remember him talking long hours with my father," he said. The two shared much — they talked about furs, trapping, family, and — of course — current events.

"It was always an interesting time," he said. "My dad was not a fan of politicians, but he made an effort to really welcome Wally. Because Wally was a relative, plus he was a Northerner, and they had lots in common."

McLeod said he also heard from Firth once he himself became an MP, to talk over issues Firth had heard about or to catch up on the latest news about friends and family.

"Wally could speak on almost any issue. He was a very humble person, and he was a very easy guy to talk to," McLeod said. "He was a good listener, maybe because of his years in politics — but he was a person that knew so much about the North and so much about the history."