Marika Schalla has built a remarkable career in education, focusing on Indigenous education and language revitalization. Her passion for Truth and Reconciliation has led her to write books, develop curricula, and run an Indigenous education business, all while balancing her responsibilities as a full-time teacher, mother, and master’s student. Through her diverse endeavors, Schalla has transformed her dreams into reality—and now, she aims to inspire her students to do the same.
Schalla currently teaches the Anishinaabemowin program at Isaac Brock School, one of the few Indigenous language immersion programs in the province. She has been learning and reclaiming her family’s language for the past decade. “I’m still learning alongside my students. We’re learning together,” she says.
Her students, whom she describes as change-makers and leaders, have made significant contributions to their school and community. They have organized pow wows, performed drum songs at events, and helped plan walks for Truth and Reconciliation and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Recently, Schalla took 19 of her students to the Legislature to pay respects to the late Murray Sinclair. “We were complimented on how well-behaved the class was,” Schalla recalls. “We hear that a lot.”
Filling the Gaps in Indigenous Education
While teaching Indigenous education has been deeply rewarding, Schalla has noticed a lack of resources in the field. She struggled to find materials in Ojibwe that related to specific teachings, so she decided to create her own. Her first creation, a coloring book on Clan animals, was followed by a children’s book titled Stella, Welcome to Your Doodem. The book quickly gained popularity, ranking highly on Amazon for customs and traditions.
Stella tells the story of a young girl named Stella who embarks on a journey to find her Doodem (Clan), teaching readers about the Anishinaabe Clan System and the seven Clan animals. Schalla has received positive feedback from readers, particularly for her decision to make Stella a lighter-skinned character. “There aren’t many representations of lighter-skinned Indigenous people,” Schalla explains. “It’s important to show that you can be mixed Indigenous, biracial, or BIPOC and still be Indigenous.”
Community Engagement and Educational Impact
In 2021, Schalla founded Heartberry Education, which offers Indigenous curriculum development, workshops, youth experiences, and education consulting. The idea for Heartberry began during her university years when Schalla felt her classmates weren’t learning enough about Indigenous education. She began leading informal workshops on the topic, which grew into the Heartberry Education mission.
Her efforts have also included creating sharing circle guidelines through research and collaboration with elders, and teaching educators across Canada. Schalla co-developed the Your Voice is Power program, which was brought to Canada and adapted for Indigenous communities. The experience was life-changing. “It reaffirmed that this is the work I need to do,” she says.
Schalla’s contributions to Indigenous education have earned her numerous accolades, including nominations for the Future Leaders of Manitoba award and Indspire’s Guiding the Journey Award. She was recently named one of the youngest recipients of the Winnipeg 150 medal for her work in the North End. “I felt like an imposter at first,” Schalla admits. “But I know I’m on the right path. I carry the brilliance of my ancestors.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Indigenous Education
Despite the progress made in Indigenous education, Schalla believes there is still much work to be done. “We still have a long way to go in Truth and Reconciliation,” she says. “There’s a need for more support for language revitalization. If we want our languages to be strong and our children to be strong leaders, we need more focus and funding in these areas.”
Schalla hopes to teach her students the importance of being Indigenous and celebrating their culture and languages. “This work strengthens our education system and helps other educators,” she adds. “I’ve learned to support my family through systemic barriers and challenges faced by many young Indigenous women. Through this work, I’ve found myself.”
Schalla has plans for the future, including pursuing a PhD in Indigenous Education. “Truth and Reconciliation, land-based learning, and storytelling are my passions,” she says. “I want to write more books, create more curricula, and maybe even become a principal or superintendent.”
For now, teaching remains her true calling. “It’s the best job in the world,” she says. “Seeing these beautiful children and giving them the love and education they deserve has been life-changing for me.”
Schalla goes above and beyond for her students, making sure they feel safe, supported, and loved. “If they need comfort, I provide it. If they need food, I make sure they get it,” she says. “That’s why their learning is so big and beautiful—they want to be here.”
Recently, her students worked on a writing unit about dreams. “They told me, ‘Marika, you’ve already accomplished all your dreams!’ I said, ‘I have more dreams now!’ I want to inspire them to believe they can accomplish anything.”
Schalla’s journey is one of perseverance. “I grew up in poverty with family struggles,” she reflects. “But I graduated with honors. I want my students to know they’re important, worthy, and capable of achieving anything.”
