Autumn Peltier Water Keeper

When we lived in Sudbury, Ontario Manitoulin Island was not that far away and we regularly visited this unique environment. The Bruce Peninsula extends spectacularly up into Manitoulin, and  there are waterfalls flowing over limestone cliffs. As a family we spent time in a lovely cabin on a small lake, loaned to us by congregants. I would attend worship on Sunday mornings at the Roman Catholic church on what I recall is the Wikwemikong First Nation. The church, in the round,  includes Aboriginal imagery throughout, including a baptismal font in the shape of a turtle, representing Turtle Island, our planetary home. I love this worship space.



Because of our past connection to Manitoulin I paid attention when I heard that a remarkable 13-year-old water keeper from there spoke at the United Nations General Assembly back in March, as part of World Water Day. Only five feet tall, Autumn Peltier needed a step stool at the podium and delivered a powerful message about protecting the waters of the Earth.

She said that it's time to "warrior up" (great phrase!), to stop polluting the planet and give water the same rights and protections as human beings, Autumn told the representatives from many nations:

Many people don't think water is alive or has a spirit. My people believe this to be true. Our water deserves to be treated as human with human rights. We need to acknowledge our waters with personhood so we can protect our waters."



In many Aboriginal cultures women are the water keepers and there is an ongoing witness to this role in the Sacred Water Walk which happens each year as indigenous women carry an open vessel of water great distances, relay-style,  as a way to bring awareness to endangered bodies of water. We know as well that scores of Native communities to do not have safe, drinkable water supplies, a shocking situation that successive federal governments have failed to address.

I'm grateful for the courage and witness that Autumn offers regarding the precious nature of water. I am reminded once again that Jesus described himself as Living Water. We can pray for all the water keepers as they set out again in 2018.