Shannen Koostachin honoured with statue in New Liskeard, Ont.

She's on her tiptoes and gracefully still. Her arms are ather sides, her fringes hang low. She looks like a butterfly in her traditional regalia. And she's surrounded by butterflies too.

The bronze monument, located in New Liskeard, Ont., honours the life of Shannen Koostachin, who died in a car crash in June 2010 not far from town.

She wasattending high school there because there wasn't a high schoolin her isolated Cree community of Attawapiskat.

Shannenwas a passionate advocate for equal education for First Nationschildren on reserves.

• Shannen's Dream monument campaign launched by family member
• House of Commons votes to make "Shannen's Dream" a reality

"It is a good reminder for Canadians to understand that a lot of First Nations kids, Indigenous kids, have to leave their communities to go to school," Shannen's cousin Jules Koostachin said.

The idea for the monumentcame to Julesover three years ago.

"The entire family have been involved ever since. The process has been really long, trying to raise the funds and we have [succeeded]," Julessaid.

Shannen's dream

Shannenstarted a national campaign, advocating forthe right to a quality education for First Nations children living on reserve.

In 2009, she was nominated for an International Children's Peace Prizeawarded by Nobel Prize winnersbut her fight began years before that,while growing up in the James Bay region in northern Ontario.

Koostachin's community of Attawapiskat had been on a waiting list for a new school for more than a decade,despite the elementary school being condemned.

It was replaced with portable trailers that were cold and mice-infested.

Tired of learning in shoddy conditions, Shannen and her Grade 8 classmates took the issue to social mediasharing their struggle with Aboriginal Affairs on Facebook and YouTube.

Her effort was called the biggest youth-led children's rights campaign in Canadian history.

She travelled to Ottawa and often spoke at rallies about the appalling conditions of schools in First Nations. Shannenwon support of thousands of young Canadians and labour organizations, many of whom wrote letters of support and sent them to parliament.

In September 2011, a year after Shannen's death,NDP MP Charlie Angus introducedShannen'sDreamin Parliament. The motion,voted inunanimouslyby the House of Commons,called for the government to support First Nations schools at the same level that provincial schools are supported.

• New school brings hope to Attawapiskat residents

A new school wasapproved for her community, but it was notbuilt in time for Shannen to see it.

The artist

Jules Koostachin sought out artist Tyler Fauvelle for the project. Hejumped on board right away.

Fauvelle said he was inspired by"her beauty and her strength and determination."

Fauvellesaidthe work was challenging for him, because she was still so vivid in people's memories.

"She had to be recognizable but also had to embody the spirit of her message," Fauvelle said.

It was an emotional reminder that this proud young activist, admired by so many, had also been a daughter, a sister, a friend.- Tyler Fauvelle, artist

Last week Fauvelle showed off his work for the first time at an unveiling ceremony. While he's attended several unveilings, this one was different, he said.

"There wasn't a sound. No one spoke. ThenI saw all the tears, and the quiet smiles. It was an emotional reminder that this proud young activist, admired by so many, had also been a daughter, a sister, a friend."

New hope

More than five years have passed since Koostachin died while traveling to try get an education.Her family struggles with the loss every day but feel better knowing she won't soon be forgotten.

"I think she would be ecstatic actually to know there is a school in the community and that all that hard work is actually paid off. I know she is with us in spirit," Julessaid.

But she said, with the two per centcap on First Nations education funding, there is still a big gap inequality of education.She hopes thatwill change with the the new Liberal government.

"I am hopeful with Justin Trudeau that he stays true to his word, and things actually change for Indigenous youth and children," Julessaid.

"That we actually have equitable access to schools, education, that definitely is the message behind Shannen's work. There is a shift happening but I believe there is still a long way too go."