[Equinox is] sixteen and is from a remote community called Moose Factory in Northern Ontario. She’s not been exposed to a lot of the world yet. She’s never really left her hometown and has lived a pretty isolated life. And then one day she’s off running into space with the Martian Manhunter and Adam Strange. Her whole perception of the universe is going to be blown wide open, but my key to this character is that no matter how big the adventure gets, she’s still connected to her home and her people.
When DC announced that the fallout from its Trinity War and Forever Evil story events would result in the Justice League of America moving to Canada (aside from some obvious jokes), Canadian comics creator jeff Lemire said that he’d be creating a brand new superhero for the team, one that “reflects a real part of our cultural identity, who could be a real Canadian teenager.”
Not only has Lemire decided to look to real Canadian teens for inspiration, he’s chosen one teen in particular: Shannen Koostachin, a teen activist of the Cree Nation who fought for the rights of First Nation children to be provided with safe and comfortable schools. (via Jeff Lemire Justice League Canada | The Mary Sue)