The Victoria School Anti-Racism Initiative is proud to celebrate the International Day For the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with our Victoria school community! Try to find all the posters of these activists around the school and check back here to read all about them!
Source: TIME For Kids
Autumn Peltier is from Wiiwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Autumn is the Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation in Ontario, and fights for Indigenous rights to clean water. At age 13, Peltier addressed the UN General Assembly to describe her community’s connection to water and emphasize the importance of protecting water for future generations. Her work enforces the importance of having Indigenous people at the forefront of climate activism. At only 17 years old, she’s made it clear that indigenous youth are a force to be reckoned with.
Alphonso was born in a Ghanian refugee camp where his parents had escaped to due to the civil war in Liberia. They found themselves in a place where violence was the only was to survive, this lead them to relocate to Canada as refugees. Although things were tough for the Davies family they manage to make ends meet and educate the three children. At a young age Alphonso's gift for soccer was discovered and he was encouraged until he decided to become a professional. He has an interesting grass to grace story that inspires people to believe in themselves.
Source: Getty Images
Source: If Not Us Then Who?
Artemisa Xakriabá was born in São João das Missões, Brazil. Her work mainly focuses on the Amazon Jungle and Environmental Safety. She is part of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, an organization comprised of Indigenous communities from Amazon Basin, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mesoamerica focused on protecting their forests. We should know about Artemisa Xakriabá because she is bringing awareness to Indigenous needs in the Amazon Jungle.
Source: Robby Romero
Ta’Kaiya Blaney is a member of the Tla'amin First Nation in British Columbia. The 21-year old is a singer, and an actress, but is best known for her work in climate and Indigenous activism. Blaney's leadership highlights the importance of youth and the arts in challenging injustice. She strives to empower youth to achieve a racially equitable and sustainable future.
Source: Foster II’s LinkedIn page
Jerome Foster II was born in Washington, D.C. He is the youngest ever White House advisor on the Environmental Justice Advisory Council in U.S. history. Jerome is the executive director of OneMillionOfUs, which is focused on international youth advocacy and voting rights. Jerome has also helped organize three of the top 10 largest climate marches across the Washington D.C. area.
Source: IFWToronto
Sage Paul is a member of the English River First Nation and is currently based out of Toronto. Paul is an award-winning fashion designer and the Artistic Director of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. Her designs seek to diversify fashion and show the beauty and applicability of traditional Indigenous designs. Paul's dedication to combining Indigenous culture and contemporary fashion demonstrates how important learning and representing different cultures is. She aims to centre resistance and sovereignty in her pieces.
