I DO THIS WORK BECAUSE I WILL BE AN ANCESTOR ONE DAY - Autumn Peltier on her campaigning work for indigenous people in Canada to access clean water.
It was TRULY a privilege to attend The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation - Gala and learn about so many great activists and organisation working towards sustainable change for our Planet. There is Greta Thunberg and there are also AUTUMN PELETIER and so many other young activists who get cropped in the media but whose stellar work and dedication for our planet has impressed me. I learned about Autumn Peltier's work at the Prince Albert of Monaco gala. She has been designated as CHIEF WATER COMMISSIONER by the Anishinabek Nation. I have never heard about her work before. WHY? Autumn Peltier's speech at the Gala moved many in the audience and I wanted to ensure that I echoed her voice on ATHENA-AFRICALIVE CULTURE AND ADVOCACY. I DO THIS WORK BECAUSE I WILL BE AN ANCESTOR ONE DAY - these words by Autumn Peltier pierced through me. The evident truth of it trickled down in the depths of my soul as I sat - rather comfortably - at the Grimaldi forum venue in the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco...well a few rows back. Monaco has this distinct feature that despite being a 'playground for the wealthy' it is actually very easy going, simple, no fuss and to the point, place. And the Prince Albert II Foundation is a prime example of it. I have followed it since its inception 15 years ago when Climate and Environment causes were not in fashion. I remember the missions in the Arctic and other causes which helped plant a seed very early on that our Planet needs action and those who are in the position to do so, must lead the way. The Prince's foundation Mission is: To protect the Ocean and Earth for the future of Humanity. As simple as that. It has supported 700 PROJECTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. Job well done and we keep going. Therefore, attending a Gala celebrating 15 years of that frontline work was very important to me. Indeed we shall ALL commit to doing our bit because we WILL ALL BE ANCESTORS ONE DAY. Autumn Peltier has been campaigning for access to clean water for indigenous people in Canada for half her life and she is only 17 years. Since the age of 8 she is battling for her people not to drink bottled water but have rightful access to their own clean water and land protection. The simplicity and no fuss of the Award was refreshing. 3 Awards and a Grant for young researchers. It mean that we could actually reflect on the meaning of these awards and the inspiring speeches all the recipients gave. Rightly so, the Prince Albert II Foundation acknowledge AUTUMN PELTIER's work and dedication by giving her THE WATER AWARD. THE CLIMATE CHANGE AWARD went to GREENWAVE for its innovative concept of regenerative ocean farming. Its founder shared how he was on the other side before, over-fishing and farming until he changed and started its foundation. CHANGE IS POSSIBLE AND FEASIBLE. 'We train and support ocean farmers in the era of climate change, working with coastal communities around the world to create a blue economy - built and led by farmers' THE BIODIVERSITY AWARD went to IPBES - the Intergovernmental Science -Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem services 27 YOUNG SEARCHERS from developing countries received grants from the Prince's Foundation and associate companies to pursue their research work in the climate change and living soils. In the words of one of the organisers, financing one researcher from a developing country contribute to giving a POWERFUL VOICE in the future to people who are at the forefront of climate crisis. I concur. Grants towards research, in and from developing countries, are keys to obtain real and diverse input from people who's struggle are too often muffled as reminded at COP26 in Glasgow. The evening ended with the world premiere of THE WAY OF THE RAIN - an orchestral film and music performance by environmental artist Sybille Szaggars Redford and Sundance film festival creator and actor Robert Redford. This artistic creation was well fitting for a night of reflection on our Planet and how best to preserve it. The Prince's foundation Mission is: To protect the Ocean and Earth for the future of Humanity. As simple as that. It has supported 700 PROJECTS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. Job well done I say and we keep going. Shana de Carsignac Mongwanga - director of ATHENA-AFRICALIVE CULTURE AND ADVOCACY MORE ON: PRINCE ALBEERT II FOUNDATION https://www.fpa2.org/en/index AUTUMN PELTIER Anishinabek Nation: The Union of Ontario Indians is the secretariat of the Anishinabek Nation (39 First Nations). Our roots stem to the Three Fires Confederacy. http://anishinabeknews.ca/ and https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/autumn-peltier ON IPBES https://ipbes.net/global-assessment AND https://en.unesco.org/indigenous-knowledge-and-biodiversity/ipbes ON GREENWAVE https://www.greenwave.org/ ON THE WAY OF THE RAIN http://thewayoftherain.org/ |