Legacy of learning: A mother-daughter journey through education in an Indigenous community

Angela’s story begins in her village, where the values of work, family and community were instilled in her. “Everyone took care of each other and looked out for each other. I grew up feeling safe, loved and surrounded by elders who shared their wisdom,” she says. Her vision and understanding of her environment were shaped by her mother’s strong work ethic and her father’s resolution and resilience.  

For Angela, education was never just about personal success. It was about bringing knowledge to her community. Her grandmother, Julia Towedo, was the first indigenous language teacher in Aroland, and Angela is proudly carrying on the family tradition. “My grandmother was teaching Ojibwe even before Aroland had an official school. Her work has been essential to the preservation of our language and culture,” she says. 

Angela and Theresa have followed an atypical path in education. Side by side, they began their studies in the Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP) at the Faculty of Education in 2002. This brought them closer.

“We would study late into the night, sometimes encouraging each other to keep going when it got tough,” Angela says. She recalls how their shared education experience allowed them to connect on a deeper level, not just as mother and daughter, but as peers working toward the same goal.

Theresa and her sister had attended advanced high school classes as the only Indigenous people. She says that enduring prejudice fuelled their will to work harder and succeed. “My sister Frances would respond to the systemic racism. She would respond by speaking up for what we were entitled to in our Treaty. We had to go to school everyday — we had to.  We didn’t quit.  Most of my brothers and sisters (16 in all) graduated, except two,” says Theresa.

Learning from her mother’s experience gave Angela the courage to continue her academic journey, eventually earning her master’s in teaching and learning. “That experience with my mother prepared me for independent learning. It showed me that I could achieve more, and it inspired me to keep going,” Angela explains. 

Angela’s new role as the education director in Aroland is the culmination of her lifelong commitment to education. She leads several projects at the local elementary school, including a land-based learning program and a breakfast program, both of which incorporate traditional knowledge and practices into the curriculum. Preserving the Ojibwe language is also a key part of her work, with plans to introduce Ojibwe language signage throughout the community and create language immersion programs.

“Language preservation is essential,” Angela says. “Our language is based on storytelling, and it’s important for us to pass that on to future generations. I’d like to see our younger adults and children speaking fluently in the language.” Her efforts to integrate language and culture into the educational system are part of a broader goal of preserving Indigenous heritage and ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots. 

Through education, Angela and Theresa continue to encourage young people in the Aroland community to pursue their dreams, keep asking questions and never give up on their goals. The message is clear: education is an indispensable tool for personal and community development.

Their shared journey shows us how education can be a transformative force, not only for individuals, but for entire communities. Their stories are a testament to the power of perseverance and of family, and the legacy of learning.