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World Water Day: Water Warrior Autumn Peltier honoured at film festival

It's World Water Day, and Canada ranks as one of the top consumers of water worldwide
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Wikwemikong teen Autumn Peltier was recognized March 21 for her efforts as a Water Warrior. (Supplied)

Remember Autumn Peltier, the young lady from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, who addressed the United Nations on March 22 last year, where she told world leaders to “warrior up"?

At the age of 14, her activism resume is already extensive, and boasts a number of awards and honours for her dedication.

Since 2015, Peltier has been raising awareness of water issues, participating in sacred water walks and she has travelled more than 150,000 kilometres to speak at more than 200 different events worldwide. She's been called Canada's youngest water activist.

Preceding World Water Day, on March 21, the Grade 9 student at Manitoulin Secondary School was given the Water Docs 2019 Water Warrior Award during the Water Docs Film Festival in Toronto on March 21. Another award was given to her great aunt, Josephine.

“We don't do this work for the awards or the recognition,” Peltier said in her acceptance speech. “We do this because our water needs us. Everything needs water. Our work will continue, as everyone, every child, every plant, every insect and every animal deserves clean drinking water.”

Today marks World Water Day across the planet. This year's theme is “Leaving no one behind: Water for all” and focuses on marginalized groups — women, children, refugees, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and others — who are often overlooked, and sometimes face discrimination, as they try to access and manage the safe water they need.

In 1992, the United Nations declared an international day to celebrate freshwater. World Water Day is held every year on March 22 to create awareness about the importance of freshwater and freshwater resources and sustainability.

Quick facts:

  • Canada ranks as one of the top consumers of water worldwide
  • 11 liters (3 gallons) runs from the average tap per minute
  • 151 liters (40 gallons) are used in a 10-minute shower
  • A bath uses an average of 75 liters (20 gallons)
  • 95 liters (25 gallons) are used to flush a toilet per person per day
  • Traditional (non-Energy Star) clothes washers use up to 189 liters (50 gallons) per load
  • A dishwasher uses approximately 53 liters (14 gallons) per load
  • An average garden hose uses 492 liters (130 gallons) every 15 minutes
  • Washing your car can use 378 – 606 liters (100 – 160 gallons)

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