Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Her middle daughter, 16-year-old Autumn, is known for her water activism and her role as the Anishnabek Nation's chief water protector. Stephanie Peltier maintains Autumn's schedule and travels all over the globe with her while also making sure that she has a chance to be a normal teenager. "I think what inspires me the most about my mom is the fact that she is a single mother and that she's raised three daughters on her own," said Autumn Peltier.
The Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students Association hosted a talk with Autumn Peltier and her mother Stephanie Peltier, “Our Water, Our Future: A Conversation with Water Defenders.” This talk was in alignment with the Sugar Moon, which is celebrated as the Anishinaabe New Year. This marks the time of year when the sweet water begins to run, and the medicine it produces balances the blood and provides healing.
