Connect with us

Uncategorized

Sixteen-year-old First Nations advocate Autumn Peltier speaks up for clean water

Published

on

In 2003, Josephine Mandamin walked around Lake Superior carrying a pail of water. It was the first of many walks the Anishinaabe grandmother took to call for more action to protect clean water.

Autumn Peltier is Mandamin’s great niece and a member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation.

“When we’re born as Anishinaabe people, we’re automatically given that role to protect the water and the land,” she says.

Sixteen-year-old Peltier has followed in her aunt’s footsteps as a water protector and climate activist.

“My auntie Josephine is one of my biggest role models and mentors,” she says.

Like her aunt, Peltier participates in water walks and speaks at events.

At 12 years old, she confronted Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his support for oil pipelines that she said threatened clean water. And at 14, she was named chief water commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation.

“As a chief water commissioner, I was given the role for advocating for First Nations communities around the Great Lakes,” Peltier says.

Peltier’s aunt previously held the position until she died in 2019.

“When she passed away, she told me to not stop doing the work that I was doing and not to give up,” Peltier says.

So she continues to protect the land and water of her people.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Mom who was ingesting an iIIegaI substance in a separate room for an extended period of time while Ieaving her 1-year-old baby unattended, during which time the chiId ended up in a Iarge container of water, leading to his death, is charged

North Carolina – A North Carolina woman was arrested after turning herself in to the Sheriff’s Office earlier this week in...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Woman told the father of her 1-year-old baby that she ‘now needed to go get her’ after waIking in on her hoIding a firearm and his chiId Iying nearby with apparent Iife-threatening injuries, later pronounced dead, while the girI’s 2-year-old sibIing was crying for heIp: police

Louisiana – A Louisiana parent was arrested and booked into the Sheriff’s Office jail last week after police say she...

Eugene7 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to house fire in rural Santa Clara neighborhood

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded as automatic aid to a house fire in the 500 block of...

Eugene7 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire highlights crew with all members from BLS program

Eugene, OR – Engine 4 of the Eugene Springfield Fire Department is staffed entirely with individuals who began their careers...

Eugene7 days ago

Multiple DUII arrests reported in Eugene over New Year’s holiday, including two crashes

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department reported six DUII arrests from Jan. 1 through Jan. 2, including two incidents involving...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom who was seen outside her home smoking and appeared caIm when the ambuIance arrived to take her unresponsive 3-year-old chiId, then confessed that she intentionaIIy pIaced a pIastic covering over the toddIer’s head untiI she showed no signs of Iife, kiIIing her, is charged

Ohio – An Ohio woman was arrested and charged with murder in the death of her 3-year-oId chiId, Casidy, police said...

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Man told police “his spouse made a mistake and should have just forgiven her, but he kiIIed her for it” after getting drunk and kiIIing the woman at the famiIy’s home after accusing her of infideIity, cIaiming he had bIacked out after drinking the aIcohoI: DA

California – A California man was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder in the shooting death of his spouse, A....

Crime & Safety1 week ago

Mom cIaims she ‘had no expIanation’ other than fearing her spouse would also harm her after aIIowing the man to regularIy beat their 5-year-old chiId, not give her food and not seek medicaI heIp for 10 days while the child was coughing up bIood, until she died: DA

Nevada – A Nevada woman was arraigned on a first‑degree murder charge last week in connection with her chiId’s death...

Eugene2 weeks ago

Eugene completes permanent infrastructure upgrades at Hilyard Street shelter

Eugene, OR – Earlier this year, the City of Eugene, in partnership with the Eugene Water & Electric Board and...

Eugene2 weeks ago

Eugene Police Department celebrates officers completing probationary period

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department congratulated its newest officers for successfully completing their 18-month probationary period. According to...

Crime & Safety2 weeks ago

Man who claims his girIfriend is responsibIe for her 7-year-old chiId’s fataI injuries and woman who told poIice that the victim and her 5-year-old sibIing were repeatedIy beaten by her partner after she found the child unresponsive, later pronounced dead, are charged: DA

California – A California coupIe was arrested by police after their 7-year-old chiId was found unresponsive inside their home Monday...

Trending