MANITOULIN—A group of students in a Social Justice and Equity class at Manitoulin Secondary School has turned their classroom lessons into real-world action. Offered every other year, this course is taught by Ms. Jill Ferguson. Each semester, for their culminating project, students create mini initiatives that address social issues, from literacy and homelessness to environmental stewardship and health awareness. Here’s a closer look at the contributions of this year’s students:
Brianna Mishibinijima – Indigenous Literacy Project
Brianna focused on improving literacy for students in Wiikwemkoong. She created a CAD model for a book drawer and plans to establish a community book cabinet at the community center. Donations of books and resources are welcome to support this initiative.
Garret Charbonneau – Biopiracy Awareness
Garret aimed to educate people about biopiracy by creating Facebook posts and sharing a slideshow across social media. He described his efforts as a “splash, not a tidal wave,” his work helped to spark conversations on the topic.
Hailey Hawke – Clothing Drive
Partnering with the Living Well Locker, Hailey launched a clothing drive and spread the word through Instagram. Her efforts contributed to providing essential clothing for those in need.
Leah Heinen – Winter Warmth Initiative
Leah gathered donations of clothing and other essentials for homeless people. Items were donated to Better Beginnings Better Futures and Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR). Leah also hosted a drop-off event at MSS and placed a donation jar at Home Hardware, collecting three large bags of clothing.
Tessa Merrylees – Education for Accessibility
Tessa created a Facebook page to raise awareness about students with disabilities, sharing 14 posts. She also conducted a survey to better understand public awareness. Her posts, targeting educators and community members, reached a high level of engagement.
Harmony Panamick – Screen Time and Mental Health
Harmony launched an information campaign to highlight the mental health effects of excessive screen time. She used Instagram (@reduce_your_screentime) and posters to share tips and conducted surveys.
Hannah Lovelace – Women’s Cardiovascular Disease
Hannah tackled the overlooked issue of women’s cardiovascular health. She set up an information table at the M’Chigeeng Complex during a Bingo night, handed out pamphlets, and raised $540 through door-to-door efforts and a prize draw.
Tanner Graham – Kagawong River Clean-Up
Tanner organized a clean-up event at the Kagawong River on December 15th, demonstrating environmental stewardship in action.
Prestlynn Biedermann – Improving Book Access for Indigenous Students
Prestlynn worked to provide more books to students at Pontiac School. She surveyed students, collaborated with the principal, and volunteered at a book fair, collecting 98 books to fill a custom-built cupboard for students.
Abraham Habte – Marathon Mindset
Abraham hosted a virtual showcase of Eritrean speakers—Simon Berhe, Mike Wondu, and Yohana Ogbamichael—to inspire better health and boost representation.
Connor O’Leary – Lion Awareness
Connor used his artistic talents to create Instagram posts and shared donation links to raise awareness about lion conservation.
Dean Pandi – Food Insecurity
Dean held a one-day canned food drive at Aundeck Omni Kaning, complemented by social media posts and posters. The effort collected 35 cans, which were donated to the local food bank.
Phoebe Aeschilman – Winter Formal
Phoebe organized a winter formal event, raising over $500 for the food bank while allowing MSS students to get together and dance the night away. In the days leading up to the event, Phoebe sold tickets at school, made announcements, and created posters. Here are some photos taken by Phoebe at the dance:
Alexandra Wilson-Zegil (me!) – Holidays and Care Homes: Mental Health Awareness
For my project, I created personalized, handwritten Christmas cards for residents at Manitoulin Lodge. This project aimed to lift holiday spirits, as mental health can decline around that time, especially for more vulnerable populations.
After completing all the projects, everyone explained their initiative to the class. These projects show the power of small initiatives to create change. By addressing issues close to their hearts, these students not only supported their communities but also gained valuable experience in activism and leadership.
by Alex Wilson-Zegil
