Autumn Peltier

Autumn Peltier is the chief water commissioner of the Anishinabek Nation, and a water-rights advocate and environmental activist.

Peltier was born on September 17, 2004, in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada, and is a member of the Aniishnabek Nation. She currently attends school in Ottawa, where she lives with her family.

Peltier was appointed as the Anishinabek Nation chief water commissioner in 2019 following the death of her great-aunt, Josephine Mandamin, who had been the previous chief water commissioner. Since beginning her activism at age 8, Peltier has spoken at the Assembly of First Nations in 2016, the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, and the United Nations Global Landscapes Forum in 2019. Because of her activism, Peltier has received numerous awards, including nominations for the International Children’s Peace Prize in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Sources:
Gallant, David Joseph. 2020. “Autumn Peltier.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, September 24. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/autumn-peltier.

Photo Credit: Linda Roy of Ireva Photography