Della Toadlena

Our Story: Nihahane' Della Toadlena

The author began school at age five, going on six, at a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school. When she arrived at the dormitory, her parents learned their daughter had not been previously registered, and there was no more room, so she could not be admitted. "Besides," the school personnel said, "She's just five and won't be six until October. We can't take her; she's underage. However, at the end of the day, another little girl who had been registered did not show up, and the school had to fill its quota, so it allowed the author to stay and go to school. She went on to earn an AA and a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in English. Then the author joined the Humanities Division faculty at Dine College and taught English and Introduction to Native American Literature until she retired in May 2007. This is a book of perseverence and endurance. With all odds against her, she rose above them and went to school. It is a simple book about a very simple life. Then she went on to earn an AA and a BA in Elementary Education, and an MA in English. The author joined the Humanities Division faculty at Dine College and taught writing and Introduction to Native American Literature until she retired in 2007.