100 WATER HEROES: AUTUMN PELTIER

Environmental Advocate

Autumn Peltier is a 13-year-old Eagle Clan Anishnaabekwe from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory in Northern Ontario. Autumn has been fiercely advocating for water conservation since she was just 8-years-old and has become a renowned environmental activist throughout the world.

Her beginning in water advocacy was inspired by her aunt, Josephine Mandamin, who raised awareness surrounding water conservation and indigenous water rights by walking the shores of the five Great Lakes. Autumn began her water journey by speaking at community events about the absolute necessity of conserving Canada’s water.

In 2015, Autumn attended the Children's Climate Conference in Sweden, and in 2017 became the only Canadian nominated for the Children's International Peace Prize. One of Autumn’s most publicised encounters occurred in 2016, where she met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Assembly of First Nations' annual winter meeting, and told him about her grave concerns surrounding Canada’s water situation.

Autumn was also recently invited to speak at the launch of the UN's International Decade for Action on Water for Sustainable Development, where she acted as the ‘representative of civil society.’’

Autumn is one of our #100WaterHeroes for her fierce water advocacy efforts and her focus on ensuring safe drinking water for Indigenous communities in Canada.

Anishinabek Nation Twitter: @AnishNation

Autumn Peltier, a 13-year-old Anishinaabe girl from Wikwemikong First Nation, addresses world leaders at the United Nations about protecting water.