Jennifer Provencher (Chapter 1)

Upon reading this chapter I was astonished with the conditions that the Attawapiskat First Nation’s were learning and living in. I could not believe these conditions still exist, especially after everything that the First Nations encountered with residential schools.  I had the privilege of attending a newly built small town school that came with every resource imaginable. To me it is absolutely unacceptable that any student, no matter what their race or where they are from be forced to live and learn harsh conditions.  I found it hard to believe reserves were not given  “same kinds of resources that “regular” schools get” (2). To me, as a future Teacher, and knowing a little bit of information about at risk students, I would think it would be more valuable for reserve schools to receive more resources and funding than non reserve schools.  If I think back to my elementary education there is no way I would excel in a school were the “classrooms were cold, and the mice ran over” my lunch (11). Classrooms are supposed to be a place where students feel welcome, where they want to come and learn, and where they feel inspired. In this situation I do not blame the students for dropping out of school, I probably would have to.   I was really shocked with “Shannens Dream” (6). I thought that no matter who you were or what you did that your were guaranteed the right to an equal education and that was just not the case for the students of Attawapiskat