Autumn Peltier (born September 27, 2004) is an Anishinaabe Indigenous rights advocate from the Wikwemkong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada.
[1] In 2018, at the age of thirteen, Peltier addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on the issue of water protection.
At one particular ceremony in Serpent River First Nation in Ontario, she witnessed warning signs of "toxic" drinking water, caused by factors such as pipeline leaks and pollution.
[3] Peltier worked closely with the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation to provide short-term water access relief to over 500 homes across First Nations communities (as of November 23, 2022).
Their on-going partnership is considered to be one of the largest humanitarian relief efforts across First Nations Indigenous communities that is not supported nor at all funded by the Canadian Government.
[9] Peltier further gained attention when she spoke at the Global Landscapes Forum in New York City in September 2018, where she addressed the United Nations and important decision-makers.
She has over 200,000 followers across platforms, using them to spread awareness of indigenous inequalities and water advocacy issues,[10] receiving support from youth, politicians, and other activists.
[10] At the time of her selection, current Anishinabek Nation Ground Council Chief Glen Hare explained that the decision was simple to make, as "Autumn has extensive nibi giikendaaswin (water knowledge).
"[3] In her role as Chief Water Commissioner, Peltier represents 39 First Nations in Ontario and is responsible for relaying community concerns to the Anishinabek Council.
[14] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Peltier spoke up about the increased importance of clean water access as a public health issue for First Nations communities, where outbreaks have been particularly severe.