Shannen’s Dream now a documentary film

Shannen’s Dream is being carried on by a documentary film now available online on YouTube.
“Shannen (Koostachin) had a dream – that every First Nation child should have the right to go to a safe and ‘comfy’ school,” said Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, who introduced Motion 571 — Shannen’s Dream — in Parliament Sept. 23. “Her story is inspiring people across Canada to get involved in the campaign for equal school rights. This film will help make this dream a reality. The response has been overwhelming.”
One of the student leaders in the Attawapiskat School Campaign who fought for an elementary school for 400 children attending classes in portables in their James Bay community, Koostachin died last year in a car accident at the age of 15.
“The story of Shannen is both tragic and inspiring,” said documentary producer Shelley Steele, who travelled to Attawapiskat last summer after hearing about Koostachin’s story. “She was such a determined young woman and she touched so many people. This documentary will help youth become more aware of the issues and get involved in carrying on Shannen’s dream.”
Steele hopes the documentary will inspire other young people to stand up and make positive change. Produced by Heartspeak TV, the documentary was made to raise awareness about the ongoing fight for equitable First Nation school rights in Canada.
An 11-minute version of the documentary, called Shannen’s Dream, is available on the Internet at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gy38grr35c and a longer version will be made available on DVD for use in classrooms and by community organizations.
The DVD can be ordered at info@heartspeak.ca.