Autumn Peltier, 13-year-old water advocate, addresses UN

CBC News

22 Mar 201804:57

Summary

TLDRThe speaker passionately addresses the importance of clean water as a sacred element, drawing from indigenous wisdom and personal experiences. They express concern over water pollution and scarcity, highlighting the interconnectedness of water to all life. The speaker calls for global unity on World Water Day to protect water as a human right, emphasizing the need for sustainable development and respect for Mother Earth. They envision a future where clean water is accessible to all, urging collective action to honor and preserve this vital resource.

Takeaways

🌎 The speaker emphasizes the sacredness of water and its importance to life, highlighting their cultural beliefs and the scientific evidence supporting the vitality of water.
📚 The speaker acknowledges the wisdom of their elders and the teachings received from them about the significance of water in their ceremonies and traditions.
💧 The speaker expresses concern for the water quality in their community and the existence of boil water advisories, which are a stark reminder of the challenges faced in accessing clean water.
🌏 The script touches on the global issue of water scarcity and pollution, urging the audience to consider the potential consequences if clean water becomes unavailable.
🌿 The speaker describes water as the lifeblood of Mother Earth, emphasizing its role in sustaining all forms of life and the interconnectedness of all elements.
🏞️ The story shared by the speaker's grandfather about 'Oded Nam' illustrates the deep emotional and spiritual connection between people and their land and water.
👵 The speaker's commitment to educating others and sharing stories is a call to action to respect and honor the Earth and its resources.
📸 The speaker takes a snapshot of the current state of water-related issues, expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo and a desire for improvement.
🌱 The script calls for the recognition of water as having 'personhood', suggesting that it should be treated with the same rights and respect as humans to ensure its protection.
🤝 The speaker urges unity and collective action, emphasizing the need for everyone to work together to protect the environment and ensure sustainable development.
🙏 The closing message is one of hope and gratitude, with a plea for continued efforts to improve the world's water situation and a promise to future generations.

Q & A

What is the main message the speaker is trying to convey?
-The speaker is emphasizing the importance of clean water and its sacredness, the need for immediate action to protect water sources, and the interconnectedness of water with health, well-being, and the environment.
What does the speaker believe about the nature of water?
-The speaker believes that water is alive and has a spirit, a belief shared by their elders and supported by some studies.
How does the speaker connect water to the concept of 'heart' in their culture?
-The speaker uses the term 'Oded Nam' to illustrate that water is where the heart is, symbolizing a deep emotional and spiritual connection to their land and water.
What concerns does the speaker express about water in their province and country?
-The speaker is concerned about boil water advisories in nearby communities, and the lack of understanding about water issues within their own country, which they initially thought were problems only in other countries.
What is the speaker's reaction to the thought of running out of water?
-The speaker becomes scared and realizes the seriousness of the situation, understanding that water scarcity and pollution are global issues.
What role does water play according to the speaker's perspective?
-Water is described as the lifeblood of Mother Earth, essential for sustaining all life and interconnected with various environmental and health issues.
What is the significance of the International Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development launched on World Water Day?
-The International Decade for Action is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and taking action to ensure sustainable water management and development.
What does the speaker hope to achieve for future generations?
-The speaker hopes to ensure that future generations, including their great-grandchildren, have access to clean drinking water and understand the importance of respecting and honoring water.
What is the speaker's view on the treatment of water?
-The speaker advocates for treating water with personhood, akin to human rights, to protect it and prevent it from being sold or exploited.
What call to action does the speaker make to the audience?
-The speaker calls for unity and empowerment to take a stand for the planet, to sustain and protect the environment, and to develop ways to prevent pollution and preserve natural resources.
What does the speaker hope for regarding their heart's connection to the land and water?
-The speaker hopes to keep their heart in a good place so that it can return and witness the improvements made in honoring the promise to Mother Earth.

Outlines

00:00

🌎 The Sacredness of Water and Its Impact on Life

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of water as a sacred element in the speaker's culture and its vital role in life. The speaker expresses concern over the pollution and scarcity of water, highlighting the spiritual belief that water has life and spirit. They discuss the interconnectedness of water to all life and the need for immediate action to protect this precious resource. The speaker also shares a story from their grandfather about 'Oded Nam,' which symbolizes the heart's connection to the land and water, urging everyone to consider where their heart lies and to protect the environment for future generations.

🌱 The Call for Water Protection and Environmental Stewardship

The speaker passionately calls for collective action to protect water and the environment. They reflect on the current state of water pollution, climate change, and other environmental issues, expressing dissatisfaction with the snapshot of the present situation. The speaker advocates for the recognition of water as having 'personhood' with rights, to ensure its protection. They stress the importance of clean water for all, not just the wealthy, and the need to educate and empower each other to stand up for the planet. The paragraph concludes with a plea for unity and action, urging leaders to work together to combat environmental degradation and to honor the sacredness of water and the Earth.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Water Spirit

The concept of 'Water Spirit' refers to the belief that water possesses a living essence or spiritual presence. In the video's narrative, the speaker emphasizes that their people believe water to be sacred and alive, with studies now supporting this notion. This belief is deeply rooted in their culture and is connected to the respect and reverence for water as a vital element of life.

💡Sacred Water

In the context of the video, 'Sacred Water' denotes the deep spiritual significance that water holds for the speaker's culture. It is considered sacred because it is believed to be the source of life, as humans are born of water and spend the first nine months of life in amniotic fluid. The speaker's people trace their origins back to 'original water,' highlighting the interconnectedness of all life with water.

💡Boil Water Advisories

'Boil Water Advisories' are warnings issued to communities when the safety of drinking water is compromised, necessitating that it be boiled before consumption. The speaker reflects on nearby communities that have had to live under such advisories, questioning why this is the case and highlighting the disparity in access to clean water within their own province and country.

💡Mother Earth

The term 'Mother Earth' is used to personify and honor the planet as a nurturing force. In the video, it is depicted as the source of all life, with water being its lifeblood. The speaker calls for respect and protection of Mother Earth, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things with the environment and the importance of clean water for the well-being of all.

💡Oded Nam

In the speaker's language, 'Oded Nam' is a term that translates to 'where your heart is.' It is used to describe a place that holds deep personal significance, often associated with one's home or community. The speaker uses this term to express their emotional connection to their land and water, and to encourage others to consider where their heart lies and to act accordingly to protect it.

💡World Water Day

'World Water Day' is an annual observance designated by the United Nations to highlight the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. In the script, the speaker mentions being at the United Nations for World Water Day to launch the International Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development, indicating a global commitment to addressing water-related issues.

💡International Decade for Action

The 'International Decade for Action' is a period dedicated to a specific cause, in this case, 'Water for Sustainable Development.' The speaker envisions being 23 years old in 2028 and reflects on the current state of water issues, expressing a desire to document the progress made by that time towards sustainable water management and environmental protection.

💡Personhood of Water

The concept of 'Personhood of Water' suggests that water should be granted rights similar to those of a human being. The speaker argues for recognizing water as a living entity with rights, which would enable better protection and conservation efforts. This idea is rooted in the belief that treating water with respect and dignity is essential for the survival and well-being of all life.

💡Clean Drinking Water

'Clean Drinking Water' is a fundamental necessity for human health and survival. The speaker expresses concern for future generations, including their great-grandchildren, and their access to clean water. The desire to ensure that all people, not just the wealthy, have access to clean water underscores the importance of equitable distribution and conservation of water resources.

💡Environmental Sustainment

The term 'Environmental Sustainment' refers to the ongoing efforts to maintain and protect the environment for future generations. The speaker calls for collective action to sustain the environment by developing ways to prevent pollution and to foster a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. This includes the preservation of water resources and the commitment to improve the current state of environmental health.

💡Empowerment

'Empowerment' in the video script signifies the act of giving individuals or communities the authority and resources to make important decisions and take action. The speaker encourages the audience to 'warrior up' and empower each other to stand up for the planet, emphasizing the need for unity and strength in the fight for environmental justice and the protection of water resources.

Highlights

The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking action to protect water as it is sacred and vital to life.

Indigenous beliefs consider water to be alive and possessing a spirit, which is now supported by scientific studies.

The speaker's people believe in the sacredness of water due to its role in the creation and sustenance of life.

The speaker expresses concern for communities living with boil water advisories and questions the reasons behind it.

A contemplation on the global water crisis and its potential impact if clean water becomes scarce.

Water is described as the lifeblood of Mother Earth, essential for all forms of life.

The speaker shares a story from her grandfather, emphasizing the connection between the heart, land, and water.

The concept of 'Oded Nam' is explained, highlighting the importance of one's heart being connected to the land and water.

The speaker calls for the recognition of water as having personhood to protect and preserve it.

A plea for clean water as a basic human right, not just for the rich, but for everyone.

The speaker envisions a future where her great-grandchildren can enjoy clean drinking water due to current efforts.

The call to action for collective effort on World Water Day at the United Nations to launch the International Decade for Action.

Concerns about various issues such as pollution, climate change, and their relation to water and health.

The speaker's commitment to educating others and sharing stories to promote respect for Mother Earth and water.

A message of unity and empowerment to stand for the planet and work towards sustainable development.

The speaker hopes for improvement and a commitment to Mother Earth, ending with a note of gratitude.