Keynote: Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier is Anishinaabe-kwe and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation and an internationally recognized advocate for clean water. She is a water protector and has been called a “water warrior”. Peltier addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly on the issue of water protection at the age of thirteen in 2018.

Peltier lives on the Unceded Anishinawbe Territory on Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario. She began her advocacy on behalf of water at the age of eight and was inspired by her great aunt, Josephine Mandamin.

Peltier gained national and international notice when at a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations she presented Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a copper water pot and although she did not have time to deliver her prepared speech she confronted Trudeau on his record on water protection and his support for pipelines. She has attended international events such as the Children’s Climate Conference in Sweden.

In April, 2019 the Anishinabek Nation honoured her and raised her up to be the Chief Water Commissioner in her great aunties role. Autumn has travelled far and wide to carry the message of the importance of clean water and the Sacredness of Water. She seemingly came out of the womb already set on her path: to advocate for people’s right to clean water, the rights of water itself, and the political recognition of the interdependency of the two.