The Role She Inherited

In April 2019, the Anishinabek Nation announced Autumn Peltier as Chief Water Commissioner, following Josephine Mandamin's lifetime of Great Lakes water protection. 1

The role is larger than a title. The Anishinabek Women’s Water Commission advises Anishinabek Nation leadership and citizens on water and Great Lakes management through dialogue, information exchange, traditional knowledge, teachings, and values. 1

CBC reported at the time that Autumn was 14 and that the Anishinabek Nation was a political advocacy group for 40 First Nations across Ontario. 2 A current speaker profile also describes her 2019 appointment as representing 40 First Nations. 3

Autumn told CBC that before Mandamin died, she asked her to continue protecting water. Her answer became the center of this issue: "I'm going to carry on her work until we don't have to anymore." 2

Image sources used for this set include CBC's 2019 appointment report, Anishinabek News' 2019 speech photograph, and Speakers Canada's Autumn Peltier profile. 234