Please see speaker biographies for the International Network of Museums for Peace Conference 2026 below. For information about location, schedule, cost, or themes, please visit the conference page.

View image in fullscreen gallery A full-length studio portrait of a person standing against a plain light background, wearing a vibrant Indigenous regalia red patterned dress with blue trim and a wide black belt decorated with large circular silver accents. She is also wearing a feathered headdress with blue and white details. Her hands are clasped behind her back, and she is facing forward.

Autumn Peltier is an Indigenous rights and water activist from the unceded territory of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, whose journey for justice has made waves all around the world.

Peltier captivated the world’s attention at the age of 12 when she admonished Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at an Assembly of First Nations event. She continues to push for equality and collaboration for her people, all while being a role model for female Indigenous youth, and youth globally.

At 13, Peltier first spoke at the United Nations General Assembly. Amongst many accolades, she has received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Governor‐General of Canada, and was recognized as Global Environmental Leader by the Prince Albert II of the Monaco Foundation. Invited back in 2018 and 2019, she spoke at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit in New York and continues to travel the international stage, speaking about Indigenous rights, inclusion, representation and collaboration, all while inspiring the next generation.

She has been a featured speaker at the World Economic Forum, sharing the stage with Greta Thunberg, continues to work as an Ambassador and Contributor with the United Nations, has been shortlisted for the International Children's Peace Prize three times, and in 2022, was runner‐up for this prize.

Also in 2022, the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, Canada built an Autumn Peltier showcase display highlighting the ribbon skirts she wore at the United Nations, as well as her work and contributions as part of Canada’s history.

She has been featured in Maclean’s “Top 50 Canadian Power List,” sharing the cover with now Prime Minister Mark Carney, and shared the cover of Elle Magazine’s Top 100 Woman Changemakers with global icons. A documentary about her, The Water Walker , was released on HBO in 2019 and is available across many school boards.

In 2023, Autumn began her first novel partnership to be released in 28 countries with Penguin Random House and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, receiving the Community Hero Award.

2026 will witness the unveiling of Autumn’s advocacy efforts at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights and the introduction of The Autumn Peltier Institute.