Shannen Koostachin, Indigenous education advocate, named one of 150 greatest Canadians

ShannenKoostachinspoke openly about deplorable conditions she and other aboriginal students had to deal with in their schools on First Nation reserves.

The young activist from AttawapiskatFirst Nation, Ont., took her message to Parliament Hill in 2009, to demand the federal government provide better, safer schools for students living on reserves.

Sadly, the 15-year old passed away in a car accident in June 2010.

Koostachin's advocacy for better and safer education for aboriginal students was turned into a campaign by her family and friends, known as Shannen's Dream.

That legacy is what earned Koostachin a spot on the list of top 150 Canadians.

The list which also includes names like Terry Fox andEmily Carr is to help celebrate Canada's 150th birthday this year.

Shannen's Dream lives on through the First Nations Child and Caring Society, based in Ottawa.

Executive director Cindy Blackstocksays Koostachin was first confronted with a poor educational environment when she stared kindergarten. At that time, the official schoolin Attawapiskatwas closed down because the ground underneath it was contaminated.

Students instead had their classes in portables trailers supplied by the federal government.

"It was only supposed to be temporary, but by the time Shannen was in Grade 8 these portables had deteriorated so severely that there was ice build up, there was ruins, there was black mould," says Blackstock.

She addsthat children as young as Grade 4 and 5 were losing hope and dropping out of school.

"There was a fire in this girl." Blackstock recalls of Koostachin. "She just thought this was absolutely not fair "

Koostachinasked other Indigenous children to write letters to the government demanding change and demanding equal opportunity for all students.

Blackstockremembers when Koostachinmet with the Minister of Indian Affairs in 2009 to demand a better school for her community.

Every child deserves better education

When that politician responded with an unsatisfactory response, Koostachintold him she would never give up, because every child deserved better education.

As for the large 150th birthday celebration and being named as a great Canadian, Blackstocksays she feelsKoostachinwould by disappointedthat millions of dollars were being spent on a birthday party, when so many Indigenous students are still fighting for proper schools and struggling for basic needs.

Koostachin didn't advocate for recognitionor awards, Blackstock says she did itto help other students.

Blackstock says she feels Indigenous students across Canada are asking for one thing this year as thenation celebrates 150years.

"They want Shannen's Dream to come true."