b'YOUTH PROFILE A utumn Peltier, originally from Wiikwemkoong First Nation, has quite Youth Profile: an impressive background and worldwide recognition in environmental activism. Q&A with environmental activist She made headlines in 2016 when, at the age of 12, she confronted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his Autumn Peltier past environmental actions and future commitment to protecting the water. Since then, she has spoken at various United Nations events and has been nominated for the BY CHRISTINE MISKONOODINKWE-SMITH International Childrens Peace Prize (also known as the Nobel Prize for Children) three times. In 2021 she was one of three winners of the Planetary Health Award, which recognizes advocacy and achievement in water, biodiversity and climate change.At 17 years old, she is wise beyond her years, having won awards and recognition no other teenager would dream of. In 2019, Peltier was appointed Chief Water Commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation, and was recognized in December 2019 as one of Canadas 20 people to watch in 2020 by Macleans magazine. In 2021, she was also awarded the 2021 RevolutionHER Community Vision Youth Award for her work as Chief Water Commissioner.While speaking with Autumn Peltier, I was in awe of what she has accomplished, and I was happy to see a First Nations youth not only so involved in environmental activism, but also so widely recognized for her work and achievements in this advocacy.What was it like to become a public advocate at such a young age?Autumn Peltier: I became an activist when I was eight years old, and I am now 17 years old. A lot of people do this. Its a very interesting job, and I am glad that I am going down this path.How much progress has been made since you started advocating for clean water and environmental protec-tions? How far do we still have to go?AP: There hasnt been as much progress as Id like to see, especially from the first time I started advocating for the water. There are still many broken promises between the government and First Nations peoples and their commun-ities. The issues havent really changed. My auntie Josephine did this work, advocating for the water literally right up until she died in 2019. Im kind of getting scared, because I dont want to be working like my auntie was and not see any change.Do you have any role models?AP: My role models are my mother and my auntie Josephine. They have blazed the path before me.What advice do you have for youth looking to make a change in their communities?AP: I would tell other youth not to be afraid to use their voices, and that our voices are more powerful thanwe think.What are your goals in the future?AP: I will be graduating from high school [this year]. I want to continue the work that I am doing and turn Photo credit: Jessica Deeks. [it] into a career. I would also like to go into Indigenous politics and become a Chief one day.'