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SA54 Shannen’s Dream

Grades: K-8
Date: November 26-30, 2018. (no deadline, appropriate any time)
Share: Upload pictures to Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, or
email to akgtcanada@gmail.com
Hashtag: Please share student work and photographs of your students
completing this activity using the hashtag #akgtcsa

OBJECTIVES

To read and learn about Shannen’s Dream, and relate it to the Rights of the Child (from last week). Students will learn that young people can make a difference
Students will discuss the rights of children in regards to Indigenous students and their schools in Canada
Students will create and express their dreams for education for all students in Canada
(Optional) Students will investigate Indigenous schools in their community and province or territory.
(Optional) Students will discuss possible solutions and create a plan of action.

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Geography (identifying location of reserves in Canada)
Social Studies (Communities and Needs v.s. Wants; U.N .Rights of the Child)
Literacy: Reading, Writing
Media Literacy (creating an effective message)
Visual Arts (conveying a message)
Aboriginal/Indigenous Education (underfunding of First Nation education)
History: Learning about Shannen’s dream and researching what has been done to solve these issues and what needs to be done still
Math: Education by the numbers (comparing funding for different schools across Canada)
Character Ed: Empathy, Taking action

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

This week’s special activity challenges your students to learn about Shannen’s Dream for equal education for all First Nations students, and think about other Indigenous schools on reserves. Students will watch a video and/ or read about Shannon’s dream for a “safe and comfy” school on her reserve at Attawaspikat.

Teachers can choose a lesson from the list below to complete with their class. After the lessons, students can create pictures, poems, and essays about their own dreams for education. There is song written about Shannen with lyrics, so students can also sing along to the song. If desired there are also other printable items like word finds, etc. Feel free to share these resources.

If students would like to support the Shannen’s Dream movement, they can do so by sending themir creations to their local Member of Parliament, or share them within your own school community.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Video and/or readings (see below)
Art supplies and/or writing materials

RESOURCES

VIDEOS:

“Heartspeak about Shannen’s Dream” (Short version – 3 min)
https://youtu.be/AroWwsdMGBA

“Heartspeak about Shannen’s Dream” (Long version – 13 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gy38grr35c&feature=related

“Hi-Ho Mistahey!” NFB, full-length documentary about Shannen’s campaign
https://www.nfb.ca/film/hi-ho_mistahey_en/clip/hi_ho_mistahey_clip2/

“Shannen and Serena Koostachin Nov. 2009” (12 min) Please note: Charlie Angus’ introduction in 1st minute includes phrase “lazy-assed politicians”.
https://youtu.be/NQNvOp6sZDg

LESSONS PLANS AND IDEAS:

First Nations Child & Family Caring Society https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/School%20Resources%20Kindergarten%20to%20Grade%202.pdf

Project Heart
http://projectofheart.ca//wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Education-Resources_3_6_FINAL.pdf

Kairos Canada
https://www.kairoscanada.org/berc/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2015/12/Top-Lessons-Shannens-Dream.pdf

Reconciliation Activities for Children – Shannen’s Dream by Presbyterian Church of Canada (provides a read-aloud story)
https://presbyterian.ca/wp-content/uploads/Reconciliation_Activities_for_Children_Activity5.pdf

READINGS:

Article: “(Un) Equal Education” Gr. 5-8
http://www.scholastic.ca/education/steppingupwithliteracyplace/standupforhumanrights_ce/education/unequal_ed.htm

Read-aloud story of Shannen’s Dream by Presbyterian Church of Canada
https://presbyterian.ca/wp-content/uploads/Reconciliation_Activities_for_Children_Activity5.pdf

Article: “Shannen and the Dream for a School” by Janet Wilson
http://www.janetwilson.ca/shannen-and-the-dream-for-a-school.html

Book: “Shannen and the Dream for a School” by Janet Wilson (9-13 yr olds)
https://www.amazon.ca/Shannen-Dream-School-Janet-Wilson/dp/1926920309/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542823477&sr=8-1&keywords=shannon+and+the+dream+for+a+school

UPDATE ON THE NEW SCHOOL WITH RESOURCES:
https://www.we.org/we-schools/columns/global-voices/attawapiskat-celebrates-new-school/

FUNDING GAPS IN EDUCATION (2016):
https://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/education/fact_sheet_-_fn_education_funding_final.pdf