Ernest Albert Birkham

Divisions Served: “F”

Medals & Honours: Saskatchewan Ski Association Distinguished Service Award, City of Prince Albert Award of Merit, Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year Award

Pillar Location: This Nameplate has not yet been mounted onto the Pillars, will be on display in the Centre in the interim.

Story: 

Ernie was born on June 24, 1939 in Dauphin, Manitoba.  He attended Dauphin Collegiate & Technical Institute.  In September 1969, he married Shelia (nee: Bryce).  They became proud parents of their sons Derek and Tyler, who became successful graduates in Colleges of Education and Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. 

Ernie served in the RCMP from June 18, 1958 to April 15, 1966.

Ernie first performed detachment duties within Prince Albert , Sub Division at Uranium City and Blaine Lake.  He opened the first summer detachment at Emma Lake and also performed relief duties at Smeaton, Porcupine Plain, Cumberland House, and Island Falls Detachments, after which he was called into Prince Albert for duty in the General Investigation Section (GIS plain clothes duties).  In April 1966 Ernie was discharged from service with good conduct, at rank of Constable First Class, by way of purchase in order to pursue ventures in the civilian world.  Ernie is forever grateful for the lessons of dedication and discipline gained from his RCMP duties.

His civilian ventures included co-owning a sports retail store from 1966-69.  Along with his various occupations, Ernie attained membership in the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA), directed an Alpine Ski School, and coached alpine ski racing for 16 years.  As Provincial Alpine Coach, he coached a Saskatchewan team competing at the first Canada Winter Games in 1967 at Mont St. Anne, Quebec, and at the second Winter Games in 1971 at Mont Blackstrap, Saskatoon, at which his men’s team won silver medals in dual slalom “B” Division.  Throughout his sons’ growing years, Ernie assisted and coached youth soccer and hockey teams in his community.

Ernie was formally recognized for his contributions for working with youth as follows.  Saskatchewan Ski Association Distinguished Service Award April 22, 1979 for his contribution to skiing as a leader and motivator in alpine competition 1965-79.  City of Prince Albert Award of Merit in recognition of working with young people relating Skiing May, 1979.  CKBI Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year Award 1979.

All in Prince Albert, Ernie’s civilian ventures also included licensed real estate agent 1970-82, duties as a local registrar/Deputy Sheriff at Court of Queen’s Bench1982-95, and Income Security Investigator with the Saskatchewan Department of Social Services 1996 to retirement in 2004.

During his retirement years, Ernie’s dealt with bouts of cancer in 2007 and 2012, and is now considered a survivor.  For activity during his retirement, he obtained a Security Guard License with the Corps of Commissionaires, North Saskatchewan Division, active to present date (written 2020).

CKBI Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year Award 1979

Ernie, a man who has been actively involved in skiing in Saskatchewan for the past 17 years has been chosen to be honoured tonight as the 1979 Sportsman of the Year.

Ernie was born in Dauphin Manitoba and received schooling in that city.  During his high school years, Ernie was very active in sports, especially football and track and field.  During his last year in high school, he attended the Canadian Rookie Try-Out Football Camp in Winnipeg under coach Bud Grant.

From 1958 to 1966 Ernie was a member of the RCMP, and during this time, became interested in alpine skiing, using his leaves to obtain his Instructors Certificate.  He started ski instruction at the club level in Prince Albert in 1963 and race instruction in 1965.  Since that time, Ernie has taken part and coached in three Canada Winter Games teams, personally coaching the Saskatchewan Team to a silver medal in 1971.  He was instrumental in increasing the training camps both provincially and out of province, and also increasing the out-of-province competition.  As a result of his efforts, the first professionally examined instructors course was held in Saskatchewan.  He was Alpine Chairman for the Saskatchewan Ski Association for a period of three years and was presented with the Distinguished Service Award of the Association on April 28, 1979.

He has placed emphasis both locally and provincially on youth development, and at the Prince Albert club level heads a continuous program for some 40 to 50 alpine racers for the past 10 years.

As a result of this program, the Prince Albert Kinsmen Alpine Ski Team this past year won the Lieutenant Governor’s Tea Plaque for the most team points in the province.  The Prince Albert racers also has the overall men’s winner, and placed racers in both the silver and bronze medals.

Ernie has instilled in his students dedication and a sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute their knowledge and experience back into the junior development program.  Seven former students have returned to complete their obligation at the local club level, with three active at the present time.

Even with a minimum amount of physical facilities, Prince Albert, under the capable leadership and drive of Ernie Birkham, has contribute a high caliber of racers to the provincial race program and is the envy of most clubs in Saskatchewan.

For his dedication and his contribution to sports and Prince Albert, we honour Ernie Birrkham.