Shannen and the Dream for a School

Shannen and the Dream for a School has been chosen as the First Nations Community Reads. This is an amazing yet tragic story about  thirteen-year-old Shannen and the other students at J.R. Nakogee Elementary who are tired of attending class in portables that smell and don’t keep out the freezing cold winter air. They make a YouTube video describing the poor conditions, and their plea for a decent school gains them attention and support from community leaders and children across the country. Inspired, the students decide to turn their grade-eight class trip into a visit to Ottawa to speak to the Canadian government. Once there, Shannen speaks passionately to the politicians about the need to give Native children the opportunity to succeed. The following summer, Shannen is nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize. Her passion and that of the other students makes politicians stand up and take notice, and becomes a rallying point for the community and for the country.

For more info on the program check out the SOLS website.