Barbara Nolan

Barbara Nolan is an Ojibwe language teacher and elder who shares immersion style Anishinaabemowin lessons through videos, stories, and teaching materials on her website and social media. A first language speaker from the Garden River First Nation, she is widely respected for her work reviving conversational Ojibwe by encouraging learners to think in the language rather than translate from English. Her videos model everyday dialogues, storytelling, and humor, making the language feel alive and relational. Families interested in Indigenous language learning use Barbara Nolan’s resources as a way to hear authentic pronunciation, learn basic phrases, and support language reclamation efforts led by Indigenous communities.