Description
Joanne Robertson is Anishinaabe kwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She is a graduate of Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. Joanne wrote and illustratedThe Water Walker and Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story. She lives north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Shirley (Fletcher) Horn is former Chief of the Missanabie Cree First Nation and was chancellor of Algoma University. She attended St. John's and Shingwauk Indian Residential Schools and co-created the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association. Shirley lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Shirley is only five years old when she is taken away by the Indian agent to live at a residential school.
She loves learning, but she is not there by choice. From the first day walking up the long, lonely stone steps of the school building, life is hard and full of rules. Separated from her brothers and sisters, she is truly on her own.
Shirley is very brave, but there is no one she loves to hold her at night when she is afraid. No one to tuck her in and comfort her. Shirley keeps going despite the sadness. She makes friends and has adventures. And most of all, she looks ahead to summertime, when she will be able to return to her family and the happiness of home. Audience: Ages 9-12.