Darla Oja Left a Distinguished Military Career to Return to School

This Lakehead Student’s Commitment to Serve Others Remains Strong

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Darla Oja’s journey—from small-town Saskatchewan to international deployments—reflects a lifelong commitment to serving others. Now a Lakehead University student, she transforms decades of military leadership into service rooted in education, empathy, and community impact.

Oja joined the military at the age of seventeen. She grew up in a Métis community in northern Saskatchewan. “It’s a town of about 350 people, and I was related to most of them,” she says with a laugh. “A recruiter came to our school and picked up four of us in Grade 11. We all went to basic training that year. That was an option—and I chose it.”

Her decision launched a career that spanned positions ranging from Mobile Support and Equipment Operator to Lieutenant Colonel, culminating in her command of the 38 Service Battalion, which oversaw units across three provinces. She also served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, held numerous training and leadership roles, and spent decades living and serving in Thunder Bay.

“Decide what you want to be, and do it. If that’s what your heart tells you, then become that. Don’t let people tell you you can’t.”

“I’ve always loved learning,” Oja says. “To progress through the ranks, there was always training involved—it was like being in school all the time. I think that’s part of why I enjoyed it so much.”

When she reflects on her career, Oja speaks most about the people she has met. “Leadership isn’t just about example,” she says. “It’s about leading how you would like to have been led—helping others become their best possible selves.”

Oja was commissioned as an officer after a Thunder Bay commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Groves, recognized her potential. “If you’re looking for someone who shaped my approach, it was him,” she says. “He helped me understand what an officer should exude in command and leadership.”

Over time, she found her own style. “The military forms people into a certain way of thinking and doing,” she explains. “As I matured into my leadership role, I became more of my authentic self. Who I was was able to emerge more as I went up in rank.”
Honouring Indigenous Veterans

Each year on November 8, Canadians observe National Indigenous Veterans Day—a day of remembrance, reflection, and recognition. It honours the thousands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people who served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and in peacekeeping missions worldwide. It also acknowledges the families and communities who carried the burden of absence and loss with strength, pride, and love.

For Oja, the day underscores the importance of awareness and education. “Canada has a long history of Indigenous people serving, but for many decades that service wasn’t widely recognized,” she says. “This day helps make sure those stories are seen and heard—not only by Indigenous communities, but by all Canadians.”

That recognition, she adds, is also about progress. “It’s about understanding the sacrifices that were made and the stories that weren’t told for so long,” she says. “And it’s about asking what more we can do today to ensure they’re never forgotten.”

Helping Young People Understand and Embrace Our History
These days, Oja channels that commitment to remembrance and learning into classrooms across Thunder Bay. By sharing her dog tags, uniforms, and grandfather’s service medals, she helps students connect personally to history. “The kids under ten are my favourite,” she says. “They’re just curious—there’s no hesitation. They just want to touch everything.” Her visits spark discussions about Indigenous contributions and foster respect in students who might not otherwise learn these stories firsthand.

She believes postsecondary institutions play an essential role in carrying these stories forward and shaping student perspectives. “As an academic institution, Lakehead has an important responsibility,” she says. “Ceremonies like National Indigenous Veterans Day remind students that this is part of our shared history, and that it’s inclusive of everyone. But students should also be encouraged to stay curious—to expand their knowledge beyond what’s in a textbook.” Oja views her academic contributions as a means to raise awareness and foster meaningful dialogue about Indigenous experiences.

From Command to the Classroom

Returning to school herself, Oja is now in her third year at Lakehead, where she is completing concurrent degrees in social work and Indigenous learning, as well as a Certificate in Expressive Arts. “People are surprised when they find out I went back to school,” she says. “But it fits. I’ve always been drawn to education—now it’s about how I give back in a different way.”

Since retiring from the military, Oja has received notes from colleagues and former soldiers thanking her for her leadership and support. “I didn’t realize how much people felt that until after I retired,” she says. “They thanked me for believing in them, for contributing to their careers. These are things anybody can do—you just have to be a good person.”

Her advice to others is simple: “Decide what you want to be, and do it. If that’s what your heart tells you, then become that. Don’t let people tell you you can’t.”

After thirty years of service and a lifetime of learning, Oja remains focused on what’s next. “There are so many amazing Indigenous veteran stories out there,” she says. “Part of why I agreed to this interview was to open that up—to encourage those other stories to be told.”

Oja’s journey, in and out of uniform, is defined by learning, service, and connection. Every chapter of her life—in the field or in the classroom—builds toward her central goal: making a difference. National Indigenous Veterans Day, for Oja, is about honouring the past and inspiring others to serve, learn, and lead with purpose.

Everyone is invited to attend the Indigenous Veterans Day Ceremony on November 10 at 9:30 am in the Agora on the Thunder Bay campus. You can also watch the ceremony online by clicking here to register.

Visit the Indigenous Veterans Day exhibit on display from November 10-14 in the Agora to learn more about the service and the sacrifices of Indigenous soldiers and veterans.