The first Canadian finalist of the International Children’s Peace Award may not have won the top prize, but says she is already moving ahead in continuing to advocate for clean water for First Nations and others deprived of the resource.
18-year-old Autumn Peltier of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is not disappointed that her Japanese counterpart, 17-year-old Rena Kawasaki received the 2022 KidsRights International Children’s Prize for her campaigns in ensuring that the voices of young people are heard, adding she has received accolades and support from many other officials in other countries.
But she is disappointed that her own government in Canada has not acknowledged that not only is she the first Canadian selected as a finalist, she is also the first Indigenous representative to do so.
Peltier, a global Indigenous Rights and Water Activist says she will continue to do her work in advocating for her causes, with or without the support of her own leaders.
The award was presented to Kawasaki at a special ceremony Monday evening.
https://www.facebook.com/Waterwarrior1/videos/1179840169275819