Please join us in congratulating Niiohontesha Lazore-Garrow on being SHLC’s March 2026 Learner of the Month.
Niiohontesha was nominated by Danielle, an online educator here at Good Learning Anywhere. Here is a statement about Niiohontesha from Danielle.
It is with great enthusiasm that I nominate Niio as GLA’s Learner of the Month for March. Niio has demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication, perseverance, and positivity in her learning journey — all in pursuit of a meaningful and inspiring goal: enrollment in Carleton University’s Indigenous Enriched Support Program (IESP).
To meet the academic requirements for the IESP, Niio has taken on the challenge of completing not one, not two, but three CAEC Prep Math courses. This alone speaks volumes about her commitment. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is how she finished that third course — when given a one-day extension, and despite being sick, Niio pushed through to complete a course that wasn’t yet halfway done. She did not make excuses or ask for more time. She simply got it done.
Beyond her math studies, Niio has demonstrated a profound commitment to her cultural roots by completing all eight Live Beginner Mohawk Language classes — a wonderful reflection of who she is and where she is headed. She is currently continuing to build her skill set through her Digital Skills studies in Microsoft Excel Basics, further preparing herself for the road ahead.
Throughout all of this, Niio has maintained a wonderfully positive attitude. She approaches her learning with humility, proactively seeking assistance and guidance when needed to pace her studies. That kind of self-awareness and willingness to ask for help is a true strength.
And all of this is happening alongside the demands of everyday life — and a pursuit of volunteer work on top of it all.
Niio exemplifies what it means to be a determined, well-rounded, and motivated learner. She is absolutely deserving of this recognition, and we look forward to cheering her on as she works toward her goal at Carleton University.
Congratulations, Niio — your hard work is an inspiration!
We decided to ask Niiohontesha some questions so we could share more about their story with you.
How did you first hear about our program?
I found out about Good Learning Anywhere while searching for free university prep courses.
Did you have any struggles during your learning? If so, how did you overcome them?
Yes. Initially, I struggled with staying motivated and procrastination. Incorporating my coursework into my daily routine helped me a lot. By setting aside an hour or so every morning to do some distraction-free work, I was able to improve my focus and build a habit of productivity. Getting reminders and support from my mentor also helped because it made me feel like I wasn’t doing this all alone.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about starting to improve their skills?
Start small. Make some time in your day, even if it’s 10 minutes, to focus on learning. Instead of being discouraged by mistakes, take them as learning opportunities. Building up your skills takes time, so be patient with yourself and never stop pushing through challenges!
What is your greatest achievement? Or what accomplishment are you most proud of?
An accomplishment I am most proud of is pulling myself out of a very dark time in my life. At the time, making the decision to take online courses felt very daunting, but it’s something I’ll never regret.
What are your goals for the future?
I seek to attend university and pursue a degree in Indigenous Studies in the future. After that, I’d like to work towards a career centred around preserving Indigenous cultures and traditions.
Is there anyone you would like to thank for supporting you on this journey?
I would like to thank my Mentor, Danielle, who has been very helpful and supportive of me throughout my journey. Her support has given me the motivation to achieve my learning goals. Nia:wen, Danielle!
Is there anything else you would like to share with people about winning this award?
I’m deeply grateful for this award and to Good Learning Anywhere for supporting Indigenous youth through education. I look forward to continuing my online learning journey with GLA!
Congratulations Niiohontesha! All the best in 2026!