Autumn Peltier: Rewriting the Rules of Environmental Advocacy

 Autumn stands in a waterfall for protest—advocating for the universal right to clean drinking water

Meet Autumn Peltier—a name you might not know yet, but one that’s shaking up the world of environmental advocacy. At just 19 years old, Autumn has become a global voice for water protection, representing the concerns of Indigenous communities and advocating for clean water rights in Canada and beyond. Spoiler: she’s absolutely crushing it.

Water is life—literally. And for Autumn, this cause is deeply personal. Coming from the Wikwemikong First Nation, she’s witnessed firsthand how her community and others across Canada have been denied access to clean, safe drinking water. While most of us take water for granted, many Indigenous communities have been under boil-water advisories for decades. Can you imagine going that long without clean water?

Autumn isn’t just talking about change—she’s making it happen. She’s spoken at the United Nations, met with world leaders like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and even held the title of Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. Oh, and did I mention that she’s done all this before turning 20? Autumn’s advocacy has helped bring attention to the global water crisis and the importance of protecting our most vital resource.

Autumn’s work is more than just a local issue—it’s a wake-up call for the world. With climate change worsening water scarcity, her voice is pushing for stronger environmental protections and the recognition of water as a human right. She’s proof that age doesn’t define impact. As she often says, “We can’t eat money or drink oil.” Autumn Peltier is the voice of a generation that refuses to stand by while the planet’s most precious resource is at risk.