Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior

August 1, 2023
The true story of a young Anishinaabe woman and her family's legacy of Native water activism. In the foreword, Anishinaabe activist Autumn Peltier explains, "In our culture, we look at water as a living being, and we're taught to treat it with the same respect we would show another human." With this ethic in mind, Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/M�tis) and George (Anishinaabe) tell their story from the perspective of nibi (Anishinaabe for water) itself. Beginning with the Anishinaabe tradition of "looking seven generations into the future" to ensure that water is clean for everyone, nibi celebrates Indigenous land and water stewardship. But "over time, more people came" and polluted and mistreated water, and Native women "were forced to get louder" in the fight for water protection--including Grandma Josephine, Autumn Peltier's great-aunt. A water warrior famous for trekking around the Great Lakes with a copper water pail, Grandma Josephine inspired young Autumn to also make waves. George's rich, cartoon images reverently depict Autumn's growth as an organizer under her ancestors' guidance, honoring their intergenerational struggles. After the story concludes with an invitation to join Autumn in the fight for water rights, backmatter offers more details about Grandma Josephine and Autumn's activism. Lindstrom's latest is a moving tribute to Native women and their crucial leadership in Indigenous and water rights. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A touching ode to Indigenous activists organizing for generations of clean water. (glossary, further reading) (Informational picture book. 5-10)

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Starred review from August 1, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-Honoring the activism of a great aunt, a great niece, and the Indigenous women who are and have been speaking out on behalf of nibi, the word for water in Anishinaabe, this title calls on all readers to engage in this vital environmental work. Lindstrom (We Are Water Protectors) tells the story in poetic and powerful language in the voice of water itself. Readers are reminded of the vital role water plays in all our lives and the history of its degradation. Grandma Josephine (as she was known to many) spoke for the water and began walking miles and miles around the Great Lakes raising awareness for the protection of this precious gift. The call to action has reached to the Seventh Generation with Great-Niece Autumn Peltier, a young Anishinaabe Water Protector. Peltier has carried on the work of speaking out for the role of Indigenous people in climate discussions and has challenged world leaders to do better. Illustrations by George, who is also Anishinaabe, exquisitely capture the message of the story, especially conveying the concept of the seven generations for those in the audience unfamiliar with the future-forward planning. Back matter includes further information, suggested reading, viewing, and websites. Nibi asks at the conclusion, "What will you do for me?" VERDICT A brilliant combination of story, culture, and activism in the cause of protecting the environment. Highly recommended for all collections.-John Scott

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2023
Grades 1-3 Nibi is the Anishinaabe word for ""water,"" and nibi is the narrator of this powerful, poetic, semi-biographical call to action. It begins with a reminder of when the Anishinaabe understood the importance of water and their role in ensuring that it remains clean for the next seven generations. Then comes a time of pollution and waste. Anishnaabe elder Josephine Henrietta Mandamin, aka Grandma Josephine, recognizes the crisis and begins to organize for the protection of water. She cofounds the Mother Earth Water Walkers, who walk the perimeter of Lake Superior to draw attention to the need for an end to the destruction of clean water. Grandma Josephine's great-niece, Autumn Peltier, continues this work, speaking to world leaders and activists about the need for a collaborative global effort in preventing ecological catastrophe. The narrative tone is both gentle and firm, and the gorgeous blue-and-aqua illustrations are themselves a tribute to nibi. Pair with Lindstrom's We Are Water Protectors (2020) to reinforce the importance of environmental activism and the leadership of Indigenous peoples in this effort.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 23, 2023
Anishinaabe/Métis author Lindstrom gives voice to nibi, or water, in this fluid biographical account of Indigenous Water Warriors Josephine Mandamin (1942–2019) and Autumn Peltier (b. 2004). “I have a spirit./ I have feelings./ I remember,” nibi begins, recalling how, once, “all life on Earth cared for me./ Looking seven generations into the future/ to make sure I was pure and clean.” But when people who “didn’t cherish me” cause pollution, Anishinaabe elder Grandma Josephine walks “miles and miles around the Great Lakes.../ so people would see her.” Her great-niece Peltier—“the seventh generation” and today an Indigenous rights activist—raises her voice and meets with leaders globally. Alongside saturated flowing blue backgrounds, Anishinaabe illustrator George features recognizable faces that hint at real-life occurrences, including Peltier testifying at the UN. Though a lack of context in the text may at times confuse young readers, this moving title serves as both a powerful portrait of intergenerational activism and a call to action, inviting “all of you now./ To grow the ripple into a/ tidal wave.” More about the figures concludes. Ages 4–8.

November 1, 2023
Lindstrom (We Are Water Protectors, rev. 7/20; My Powerful Hair, rev. 3/23) introduces the mission of contemporary Indigenous water activist Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt, the late Josephine Henriette Mandamin (both Anishinaabe). The lyrical text, narrated by water itself ("I am nibi. I have a spirit. I have feelings. I remember"), is effective in its simplicity and highlights the belief that water is a living thing that needs us to "Speak for the water. Sing for the water. Dance for the water." Grandma Josephine ("as she was lovingly known") recognized the harmful effects of water pollution in the Great Lakes, and she took action. To raise awareness, she walked around the lakes carrying water in a copper pail and united women from other Indigenous communities -- now known as the Mother Earth Water Walkers -- to join the water protection movement and inform government leaders. "When Grandma Josephine journeyed on to the spirit world, Autumn...began to use her voice for me." The colorful, flowing illustrations beautifully reflect and depict the nature of water. Peltier provides the book's foreword; back matter includes more detailed information about Grandma Josephine's and Autumn's accomplishments, a glossary, and resources to "keep learning." Naomi R. Caldwell

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)