Shannen and the Dream for a School
This is the true story of Shannen Koostachin and the people of Attawapiskat First Nation, a Cree community in Northern Ontario, who have been fighting for a new school since 1979, when a fuel oil spill contaminated their original school building. Shannen and her grade eight classmates launched a protest against the Ministry of Indian Affairs to have their run-down, temporary portables replaced by a real school. Their Students-Helping-Students campaign inspired people across the country to help and became the largest child rights movement in Canadian history. Themes: Aboriginal Education inequality, The truth about First Nations; Aboriginal history; Aboriginal justice; Residential Schools; The Seven Grandfathers; Social Justice; Student activism *Study guide for teachers is available on the drop down menu. Awards:
First Nation Communities Read 2012-2013 Featured Selection! Finalist for the 2013 Silver Birch Award, Non-fiction Finalist for the BC Red Cedar Award Finalist Book of the Year, juvenile nonfiction Forward Magazine Reviews: First Nations Community Reads jury: "...an extremely impactful reading, sharing, and inspirational experience...pertinent to Aboriginal people, truthfulness about ongoing atrocities in Aboriginal communities, celebration of youth activism, and appeal across generations." After reading this story and seeing all the photos, I felt a strong connection with the children and their community. This is a must-have book for every school library." Tinlids "What a beautiful, powerful and timely book". Shelagh Rogers- CBC1: The Next Chapter, "Janet Wilson has written a powerful account...written in an accessible manner which will appeal to a wide range of readers." CM magazine- " Shannen's story is an important one and Janet Wilson has written an important book". Canadian Children's Book Centre: "Excellent. Enduring. Everyone should read this book. " Wilson’s account of Shannen’s dream is an excellent teaching and learning resource for the study of modern First Nations issues in social studies curriculum and in social justice studies." PaperTigers.org : rated E : |
“All students in Canada deserve a learning environment that they are proud to attend and that gives them hope. We want the same hope as every other Canadian student."
Shannen Koostachin, 13, Attawapiskat First Nation Publisher’s information:
A Kids' Power Series book Second Story Press 978-1-926920-30-6 $14.95 Paperback 176 Pages • 6.5" x 8" Ages: 9-13 |
Links to articles and Youtube videos:
Read about the sod-turning for the new school.
http://www.wawataynews.ca/archive/all/2012/6/28/attawapiskat-celebrates-new-school-sod-turning_23033
Read the Canadian Geographic story on the children of Attawapiskat and their wait for a new school, "Still Waiting in Attawapiskat"
Our Dreams Matter Too; First Nations children's rights, lives and education First Nations children and youth report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
This is Charlie Angus’s video that started the campaign http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzLMuW1N50I
Shannen’s video 8 Long Struggling Years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNpMHyZPus
Press Conference, May, 2008, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPAfgsKefDg
Attawapiskat-Youth1- Shannen's Dream- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykSWHs7c7-I
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy13SYkBYEQ
Charlie Angus wrote and recorded a song about Shannen Koostachin called Diamonds in the Snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThwsiXhKa8
The Canadian Geographic video, "Still Waiting in Attawapiskat" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoNXxVHN3uE
Heartspeak video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gy38grr35c&feature=related
Our Dreams Matter Too; First Nations children's rights, lives and education First Nations children and youth report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
This is Charlie Angus’s video that started the campaign http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzLMuW1N50I
Shannen’s video 8 Long Struggling Years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJNpMHyZPus
Press Conference, May, 2008, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPAfgsKefDg
Attawapiskat-Youth1- Shannen's Dream- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykSWHs7c7-I
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy13SYkBYEQ
Charlie Angus wrote and recorded a song about Shannen Koostachin called Diamonds in the Snow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IThwsiXhKa8
The Canadian Geographic video, "Still Waiting in Attawapiskat" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoNXxVHN3uE
Heartspeak video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gy38grr35c&feature=related