Like Father, Like Daughter

Editorial Note

“Like Father, Like Daughter” is a poem paired with two photographs taken thirteen years apart at Paint Lake, Manitoba. This combination transcends a single piece of writing, illustrating land-based pedagogy where knowledge is passed down through presence and patience rather than formal teaching. The lake symbolizes continuity, as a father shares not just a fishing rod but a worldview with his daughter. The poem’s repetition of “In my small Northern town” evokes rootedness, reflecting the author’s growth from a child learning patience to someone who embodies her father’s teachings. The photographs capture this journey: a little girl with her father and, years later, that same daughter with her own catch. The images echo the poem’s message with minimal words.

In my small Northern town, I was taught to roam,

Through the bush, barefoot, it has always been home.

Bare feet, and cold mornings,

World big enough to teach you patience.

In my small northern town,

I learned the language of the water,

How a lake holds memory

And a line can listen.

My father was the one who put a rod in my hand

As if he was handing me my future.

In my small Northern town, I was taught to fish,

It was my father who would say this is more than a dish

He taught me how to read the world.

Wind on the surface,

Clouds changing their minds,

The quiet before the storm,

Or in this case, the quiet that came before a bite

He never rushed me.

Just showed me, again and again,

That sometimes, good things take time.

And somewhere between cast and reel,

Between the sunlight and pine tree shadows,

I grew from his little girl

Into someone rooted.

A little rose in his care,

Blossoming into a whole garden.

So, when I fish,

When I step back into the wild

I let the water, and the trees speak.

I am not alone.

I am my father’s daughter

Carrying pieces of him

In every cast I make.

Photographs of Emily Rose Bushby and her father: Frank (Trapper) Bushby 13 years apart, same lake: Paint Lake, Manitoba

About the Author

Emily Bushby is a 21-year-old mixed Ukrainian and Swampy Cree woman from Thompson, Manitoba, and a proud member of York Factory First Nation. She studies Aboriginal and Northern Studies at the University College of the North, aiming to become an elementary school teacher.

Emily’s passion for teaching stems from her desire to support young learners and uplift Indigenous voices in education. Guided by her cultural identity and community values, she aims to positively impact Northern schools, believing that every child deserves to feel seen and capable of success.

Through her journey, Emily aspires to inspire the next generation.

Editor's Remarks

Emily Bushby is a frequent contributor to Muses from the North and a research assistant for this special issue. “Like Father, Like Daughter” stands out because of how the poem and photographs work together. The poem is strong on its own, featuring precise imagery and a clear emotional arc, particularly through the rose metaphor, which resonates biographically. However, the photographs enhance the message, illustrating that land-based knowledge is a relationship that unfolds over a lifetime, not just a moment. Including both images and naming Paint Lake, Manitoba, as a specific location highlights the importance of the land, making it concrete rather than abstract. This submission is both beautiful and meaningful. (Dr. Ying Kong)