Barbara Nolan is known in the community as an Indigenous role model and inspiration to many.
As a residential school survivor, Nolan has dedicated countless hours working to develop and preserve the Anishinaabemowin language. She has been teaching locally since 1972 and has made it her mission to educate others in meaningful ways that strengthen cultural knowledge.
She wrote the first Native as a second language curriculum in Canada, is a founding member of the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association and is the first president and founding member of the Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre.
On top of this, Nolan was recently appointed as the Anishinabek Nation Anishinaabemowin Commissioner, advising the public on the importance of Anishinaabemowin protection, retention, revitalization and initiatives.
Her commitment and tenacity over the years make her a deserving recipient of this year’s Community Builders Award for Education.
“When things like this happen, I feel very honoured and very humbled. Sometimes I think ‘why me?’,” Nolan said when she heard the news of her win.
“Being the recipient of any kind of award sends me the message that I must be doing something good,” she said.
Barbara's efforts in education have inspired hundreds of Indigenous people to regain their language and celebrate their traditions. She has also shared the language with and taught many non-Indigenous people.
Nolan has already been given recognition for her outstanding work as the 2021 recipient of the Sault Ste. Marie Medal of Merit - the city’s highest honour.
She is currently leading an ongoing project of creating animated educational children’s videos to help expose local youth to the Anishinaabemowin language.
“When I launched the children’s videos, I felt so proud,” shared Nolan. “When parents or grandparents send me photos of their children watching my videos on a big screen it brings such warmth to my heart.”
“I’m passionate about what I do because I think about the children and I think about, hopefully, leaving a legacy one day,” Nolan added.
Nolan’s animated videos can be found on YouTube here.
“I would like to thank my nominators for acknowledging that what I’m doing is good and educational,” Nolan said. “A great big Miigwech goes out to them.”
The Education award goes to a student, teacher, administrator, or education advocate (i.e. parent) who has made a difference in the City of Sault Ste. Marie. It could be an extraordinary teacher who has changed the direction of students’ lives, an administrator who established a specialized program, or an advocate who helped implement lasting positive change in our local schools.
Congratulations, Barbara!
This award is proudly sponsored by Tenaris.