Shannen and the Dream for a School by Janet Wilson

Author:Janet Wilson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2011-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

This is the meeting room where the group met the minister.

Jonah’s jaw dropped to the floor. Chris’s eyebrows hit the ceiling. They didn’t dare catch each other’s eye for fear of cracking up.

Shannen’s bold move gave them courage.

“Now,” the minister said, getting down to business, “I understand that you young people want to talk to me about your school.”

Chris stepped forward and handed over the jar of smelly soil. The minister thanked Chris and placed it, unopened, on his desk.

Then Jonah spoke. “Can you make us a promise—?”

The minister interrupted. “No, son, I’m afraid that I can’t make any promises,” he said, shaking his head.

It was so sudden. Jonah looked as if he had been slapped. Annabella gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

Shannen looked at her friend helplessly. What does he mean he can’t make promises? Of course he can make promises! Shannen’s cheeks flamed. Nothing seemed right. She felt like a train hurled off its tracks.

The Mushkegowuk Chief stepped forward, “Minister, the children want to know…”

Shannen could not listen. She backed her way to the door, slowly, so no one would notice. She couldn’t let them see her cry. Then Shannen slipped out of the office and into her mother’s waiting arms.

“Moonaneh, gawenah mateh,” her mother whispered. “Don’t give up now, my daughter.”

“Remember the Seven Grandfathers. One is Bravery, Shannen!” said her father. Then he gave his daughter something she found impossible to resist—his smile. She tried her best to offer a smile in return. Then she picked herself up and walked back into the meeting.

Chris and Jonah were so full of anger, that they had not even noticed Shannen leave. Chris looked about to scream. Instead, he swallowed and said, “We invite you to come to our community to understand our living situation.” Shannen thought her father would be proud.

The minister shook his head again. “I’m afraid that’s not possible, either. I have a very busy schedule. I do get reports from my staff, because I can’t be everywhere at one time.” The minister turned to the elders. “I admit that there is a lot to do in your community, I admit that, and I do not claim that it’s all done. All these things are expensive. They’ve got to be done and we’re working through a list of priorities.” Then he addressed the students again. “These portables, I admit, are not ideal. The easy thing for me to do is to promise you a new school. But there are thirty to forty other schools that have more pressing needs.” He sounded apologetic. “We simply do not have the money at this time.”

Annabella spoke a few words in Cree. Shannen was relieved that everyone at the table was respectfully silent. Chief Hall translated her words. “Can you tell me when our children will get their new school?”

The minister replied, “To be honest, it will most likely be another fifteen years.” Annabella pulled out a tissue and dabbed her eyes without looking up. Then, abruptly, the minister finished by saying, “Thank you for coming.

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