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Autumn Peltier: The Water Warrior

Since age 8, she's been advocating for access to clean drinking water in Canada's Indigenous communities. Now she's leading this fight on the international stage. Meet 'water warrior' Autumn Peltier.

Autumn Peltier is leading the fight for access to water on the international stage

She was born in 2004 on Manitoulin Island, in Canada. The “water warrior,” as she’s been called, is a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation, one of the 10 largest First Nations in Canada. At 8, she participated in a ceremony at the Serpent River Reservation, whose water was contaminated by nearby uranium mining. It was at that moment she decided to advocate for access to drinking water around the world.

In her view, protecting water is part of the identity and culture of Canada's indigenous peoples. To access drinking water, First Nations in Canada face many challenges. Today, 61 communities do not have access to it and have to boil water before drinking or brushing their teeth. The reasons: industrial pollution, lack of infrastructure and global warming.

At 12, she directly confronted the current Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, about this situation. She also spoke at several international conferences, notably alongside Greta Thunberg at Davos in 2020. In May 2019, she was appointed Chief Water Commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation, which represents 40 member First Nations across Ontario, her home province. She was voted one of the top 25 Women of Influence of 2020 by the organization “Women of Influence.”

Brut.

03/28/2020 9:31 AM

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26 comments

  • Darren L.
    06/26/2020 09:30

    Amazing young lady very PROUD of you young lady keep up your fantastic work

  • Doug S.
    06/20/2020 18:55

    As our so called government gives billions of dollars away to other countries how much would it cost for water treatment plants where needed? Trudeau should be hung for treason

  • Di R.
    06/20/2020 10:21

    Darling young lady may you get some at least may we listen 🙏💜☩

  • Peter T.
    06/15/2020 22:46

    Trudope promised he would fix that problem..but like usual he broke that one also..

  • Gerhard S.
    06/14/2020 11:34

    love & peace :-)

  • Hirsson B.
    06/14/2020 10:12

    I am so so sorry that government of the United States don't give you back all of the lands and treat you like that they all are imigrants And should be send out and you should get back all your ancestors lands

  • Rose I.
    06/13/2020 16:51

    God bless always I'm Seminole and my daughter is named Autumn!! God bless

  • Miroslav B.
    06/12/2020 23:37

    Good luck

  • Marilyn O.
    06/12/2020 06:37

    The government is guilty of racism for neglecting the issues of the right to have access to clean water.

  • John M.
    06/12/2020 01:59

    Clean water is a must for every one

  • Virginia E.
    06/11/2020 13:28

    Go ahead warrior! Those are YOUR lands!!!

  • Karmen H.
    06/11/2020 06:30

    ..

  • Mary A.
    06/11/2020 01:13

    I can’t be a proud Canadian when Indigenous peoples do not have access to clean water. Systemic racism thrives here too.

  • LOAN W.
    06/10/2020 23:52

    I just got my loan transfer from Mr PEMBERTON GAVIN, he is so legit friends if you're in need of a loan you have to email him via:([email protected] com) or whatsapp us on: +1 (909) 602-2508

  • Isidro D.
    06/10/2020 17:49

    travesty of justice. the owner of the land does not have access to its own water,resources and its own right. yet they glorified Blm. what happens to all our lives. Canada must honor their pledge to the King of England . they must pay for what they owed . Independence from England included the provision for the first nations people.

  • Jackie R.
    06/10/2020 17:30

    Clean water should be a human right wherever you live in the world. People’s right to clean water should come before industry and profits. You shouldn’t have to fight for it. It is THE basic human necessity 😡

  • Ed L.
    06/10/2020 14:40

    I use to think Canada was a great country.... having learnt so many things about it.....Maybe not! 😲

  • Miranda V.
    06/10/2020 14:08

    Everyone should have clean water. Our government is a disgrace by allowing this to continue!!!!

  • Nelson L.
    06/10/2020 12:49

    True spirit is a real reality...

  • Kasey W.
    06/10/2020 12:42

    Go Autumn! With best wishes for your work from Australia x

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