A Note From The Executive Director
When I look back on the last year, the weight of the pandemic and the profound, far-reaching and intergenerational impacts of residential schools has been heavy. For our partners, the pandemic was a new crisis overlaid on a long-standing existing water crisis.
As for many families, communities and organizations like Water First, the pandemic threw a curveball at us. However, in meeting and listening to our Indigenous community partners, we adapted and found a path forward together. Community partners have been fully committed to continue working together and I have felt uplifted, and filled with hope and gratitude. I believe that this is because, as an organization, Water First is grounded in a solid foundation of building trust, meaningful relationships, and lasting results.
Within weeks of the first lockdown, our team shifted from in-person to online. We sent out technology and textbooks where necessary. For participating interns, weekly remote assignments were created and supported with virtual tutorials. Youth education programs were redesigned for virtual delivery, and supply bins were sent out to schools to support the teachers and students in maintaining a hands-on experience.
We know that the value and impact of working together in person will never be replaced and I am grateful for the dedicated and hardworking Indigenous youth in our programs. Individuals who have stepped up, time and again, over the past year, in spite of the many challenges the pandemic forced upon them. I am inspired by their passion and dedication to continue working through these challenges — and I know you are too.
We have dramatically changed the landscape by which we do this work because of the resources our donors have provided. We are breaking the mold, doing things that few others have been able to accomplish. I truly believe that the trust of our donors and support base is at the heart of this. Thank you.
As I look ahead, I see the importance of growing with mindfulness, intentionality and staying grounded on our foundation so that we can scale our programs to meet the needs of any Indigenous community in Canada asking to partner with us.
Thank you for sticking with us. Let’s keep breaking the mold together.
When I look back on the last year, the weight of the pandemic and the profound, far-reaching and intergenerational impacts of residential schools has been heavy. For our partners, the pandemic was a new crisis overlaid on a long-standing existing water crisis.
As for many families, communities and organizations like Water First, the pandemic threw a curveball at us. However, in meeting and listening to our Indigenous community partners, we adapted and found a path forward together. Community partners have been fully committed to continue working together and I have felt uplifted, and filled with hope and gratitude. I believe that this is because, as an organization, Water First is grounded in a solid foundation of building trust, meaningful relationships, and lasting results.
Within weeks of the first lockdown, our team shifted from in-person to online. We sent out technology and textbooks where necessary. For participating interns, weekly remote assignments were created and supported with virtual tutorials. Youth education programs were redesigned for virtual delivery, and supply bins were sent out to schools to support the teachers and students in maintaining a hands-on experience.
We know that the value and impact of working together in person will never be replaced and I am grateful for the dedicated and hardworking Indigenous youth in our programs. Individuals who have stepped up, time and again, over the past year, in spite of the many challenges the pandemic forced upon them. I am inspired by their passion and dedication to continue working through these challenges — and I know you are too.
We have dramatically changed the landscape by which we do this work because of the resources our donors have provided. We are breaking the mold, doing things that few others have been able to accomplish. I truly believe that the trust of our donors and support base is at the heart of this. Thank you.
As I look ahead, I see the importance of growing with mindfulness, intentionality and staying grounded on our foundation so that we can scale our programs to meet the needs of any Indigenous community in Canada asking to partner with us.
Thank you for sticking with us. Let’s keep breaking the mold together.
John D. Millar
Executive Director and Founder