Autumn Peltier: The Water Warrior and the Power of One Voice

There are certain moments as a photographer that stay with you long after you put your camera away.

Meeting Autumn Peltier was one of those moments.

In November 2020, I had the honour of photographing Autumn, along with her mother Stephanie Peltier and her sister, in Hull, Quebec, near the Canadian Museum of History. It was a cold and windy day along the Ottawa River, but Autumn stood with a quiet strength and purpose. She wore her handmade ribbon skirts and carried her ceremonial copper water vessel — symbols of her connection to water, culture, and her responsibility to protect it.

I first learned about Autumn when, at just 12 years old, she addressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Assembly of First Nations in 2016. Standing before him, she delivered a message that was both courageous and heartfelt, expressing her concerns about decisions affecting the environment and access to clean drinking water for First Nations communities.

Her words were powerful because they came from a young person who believed that her voice mattered.

Autumn has been an advocate for clean water since she was a child. Her journey was inspired by her great-aunt, Josephine Mandamin, a respected Anishinaabe water protector and founder of the Mother Earth Water Walkers.

During her lifetime, Josephine walked thousands of miles around the shorelines of the Great Lakes and other waterways of North America, carrying a bucket of water to raise awareness about the importance of protecting this sacred resource. Through her walks, she reminded people that water is not something to simply consume — it is something to honour, respect, and protect.

Standing beside the Ottawa River that November day, I was struck by Autumn’s presence.

The wind was fierce. The temperature was freezing. The Parliament Buildings stood in the distance across the river. Yet Autumn remained calm, grounded, and unwavering in her message.

She reminded me that change does not always begin with people in positions of power.

Sometimes it begins with a young person who notices something is wrong.

A young person who asks questions.

A young person who believes the world can be better.

As parents, we often think about the legacy we leave for our children. We think about the memories we create, the lessons we teach, and the values we hope they carry into the future.

Autumn’s story is a reminder that our children are not just the future — they are voices of today.

We can teach them to care for the earth, to listen deeply, to stand up for what is right, and to understand that even one voice can create meaningful change.

March 22, 2021, is World Water Day,  according to worldwaterday.org,

March 22 is World Water Day, a day that raises awareness about the importance of water and the global challenges surrounding access to clean water. The theme of World Water Day is a reminder to reflect on our own relationship with water and the choices we make to protect this vital resource.

Water is part of our everyday lives.

It nourishes us.
It connects us.
It sustains us.

The question is: how can we honour and protect it for future generations?

I am grateful that my camera allowed me to witness and document a small moment in Autumn’s incredible journey. Her message continues to inspire people around the world: water is life, and protecting it is something we all share responsibility for.

To learn more about World Water Day, visit WorldWaterDay.org.

To learn more about Autumn Peltier and hear her message about protecting water, visit https://www.rematriation.org/