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In Shannen Koostachin’s short life, she developed a reputation across Canada as a passionate fighter for the rights of native children.

Born in an isolated reserve on the James Bay coast, Shannen was the third of six children of Andrew Koostachin and Jenny Nakogee. “Shan Shan” was a playful and mischievous kid. But from a young age she was passionate about going to school. The only problem was she had never seen a real school. In Attawapiskat, children attended classes in makeshift portables sitting on a badly contaminated brownfield.

For 10 years the community had been fighting to get a school. In November, 2007, the government walked away on a commitment to build a grade school. This is when Shannen and her Grade 8 classmates decided to fight back.

Using tools such as Facebook and YouTube, their Education is a Human Right campaign spread like wildfire. Within months, their heartfelt plea had inspired thousands of students, teachers and church groups across Canada.

The children of Attawapiskat became the face of a generation of forgotten first-nation reserve children and Shannen became their voice. She had moxie. She challenged government ministers and spoke at rallies and youth conferences. At 14, she was nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize. In December, 2009, the government finally agreed to build a school.

In Grade 9, Shannen left her fly-in community to attend a non-native high school in New Liskeard, Ont. It broke her heart to leave home but she believed that young leaders had to become fully educated.

Shannen maintained a deep connection to her Cree language and culture. She was thrilled when her high school asked her to be lead dancer in their annual powwow. She never got the chance. Just days before, she was killed in a car accident along with mentor and friend Rose Thornton.

Shannen’s death caused a wave of grief, not just in her home community, but among education leaders, labour activists and students across Canada. Her community is hosting a youth gathering this weekend to celebrate Shannen’s life and to build leadership skills for James Bay youth. And the Shannen Koostachin Memorial Fund has been set up to help northern students.

Writing at 13, Shannen gave this simple message: “I would tell the children not to be afraid, to follow their dreams. I would tell them to never give up hope. Get up, pick up your books, and go to school (just not in portables).”

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This article  was written by Charlie Angus and published in the Globe and Mail.

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From the Timmins Daily Press

Gathering fosters hope

Posted By KATE MCLAREN THE DAILY PRESS  

Residents of Attawapiskat began the healing process this weekend as they remembered four youths from the community who died this year.

The first annual Shannen Koostachin Memorial Youth Gathering, named after Koostachin, a local youth leader, featured events and workshops to inspire and encourage young First Nations people.

Organizer Gerry Nakogee said although this weekend marked the first event of its kind, it ran smoothly.

"It was a last minute thing that we put together, so I'm surprised that it went as well as it did," he said.

"Everyone was involved, everyone helped out and I think we accomplished what we set out to do, which was to remember the young people that were taken from us, and help them to heal.

"The youth who participated especially enjoyed it."

The gathering included a motivational speaker, youth counselling, traditional drumming, dancing, a gospel jamboree, and even comedy in the form of an Elvis impersonator.

Nakogee said the idea of a multifaceted gathering came to him in the form of a dream, which led him to begin planning the two-day event.

Along with paying tribute to Koostachin, killed in a car accident in May, the event also memorialized three other Attawapiskat youth, Ian Kamalatisit, Dwayne Hookimaw, and Dakota Nakogee.

"This was something important for the community and more so for our youth, because everyone has been impacted tragically by the death of these young people. It's the beginning of the healing process."

Organizers are hoping to see the gathering become an annual event. More planning, Nakogee said, will allow for more participation from people outside of the community.

"We had a lot of people who said they wanted to attend, but we just couldn't make the arrangements for them in time," he said. "Next year, we hope to have even more people involved."

MP Charlie Angus (NDP -- Timmins-James Bay) described the gathering as inspirational and moving.

After having Koostachin live with his family for a year, Angus has a personal connection to the event.

"It was a very emotional day for people remembering Shannen," he said. "But it was also very moving to see the youth join together to carry on her legacy."

Koostachin, 15 at the time of her death, was the leader of a group who lobbied the federal government to build a new school in her home community after students were confined to portable classrooms due to a diesel spill.

The MP spoke with young people Saturday about continuing the fight Shannen led for equality in education for First Nation students.

"What was so successful about the Attawapiskat school campaign was that this group of kids put a face to the problem, so it was more difficult for the government to shrug them off," Angus said. "They were speaking up for what was right."

Although Koostachin's work earned the community a promise from the government for a new school, Angus said the problem must be looked at nation-wide, in all First Nations communities.

He hopes to move forward with the Shannen's Dream campaign and encouraged young people in Attawapiskat to take over the reigns.

"I talked with youth about how they could play a role and how an alliance of kids across Canada could be so powerful in a political motion.

"We've already put so much energy into this fight."

Koostachin's father, Andrew, also spoke, encouraging young people to speak out when things are wrong, like his daughter did. "To me, that was one of the most inspiring parts," said Angus. "Hearing Shannen's dad encouraging other kids not to give up, to be leaders as well."

This weekend's youth gathering saw participation of more than 500 people from Attawapiskat and surrounding communities.