• Age: 15
• Grade: 10

This book invites the reader, through stunning photographs and vivid words, to accompany Giant (Michel Andrew) as he journeys 400 kilometres across northeastern Nitassinan (Labrador) on snowshoes pulling a toboggan. Inspired by his deceased grandfather's counsel conferred in a dream, Giant elicits the help of his uncle Nikashant to organize a walk to raise awareness and funds for diabetes, a disease afflicting so many of his people. Readers will cheer through their tears.

Nikashant Antane (Alex Andrew) organized and promoted Giant’s Diabetes Awareness Walk in spring 2009. He is an Economic Development Officer with the Sheshatshiu First Nation Band. He continues to reserve time, especially during the spring, to bring his family to Kapinien NiPi (Gabriel Lake). Nikashant has promised Giant that he will always be available to assist him in his future journey to help others.

Nikashant Antane's profile page

Giant's Dream: A Healing Journey Through Nitassinan

Michel (Giant) Andrew, an Innu, undertook a 400 km, six-week trek in northeastern Nitassinan (Labrador) to raise awareness and funds for diabetes, which is endemic in the Innu communities. Struggling with alcoholism, depression and suicide, Giant has a dream in which his deceased grandfather tells him to “get up and help your people.” It is at this point that Giant is inspired to turn his life around. Through the details of his arduous journey, we learn about Giant, his family, his ancestors and the struggles his people faced following European colonization to the present day. Antane says that the history of the Innu is the story of the clash of two cultures, but he shows how the Innu are trying to reclaim their sovereignty. Giant’s story illustrates the resilience of the Innu people and their desire to regain their pride and identity.