- 2009In The Beginning
2009 - Tin Roof Global
Originally called Tin Roof Global, the organization was created in 2009 to bring drinking water to rural schools in Uganda. We trained local volunteers on how to operate and maintain the water and sanitation systems we installed. Water First began working with First Nations in Canada in 2012, after being challenged on many occasions about… Read More »Tin Roof Global
- 2013First Canadian Project
2013 - Shawanaga First Nation Baseline Water Quality Study
Our first-ever Canadian initiative, Water First partnered with Shawanaga First Nation for a community-based monitoring project in 2013. At that point, the community had been shipping in drinking water and they were interested in finding a feasible local source. Local youth were hired and received training in water sampling and water chemistry, as well as… Read More »Shawanaga First Nation Baseline Water Quality Study
- 2016Mandate Change
2016 - Officially Water First
In September 2016, Tin Roof Global Action Inc. officially became Water First Education & Training Inc. Along with the name change, our mandate also changed to focus exclusively on water issues affecting First Nations communities here in Canada. Our mission is to help address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and… Read More »Officially Water First
- 2018Drinking Water
2018 - Indigenous Youth Graduate From Water First Internship Program
Ten Indigenous youth were honoured this morning for successfully completing the Water First Internship Program at a graduation ceremony held on the powwow grounds of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. “We are very proud of the graduates, who have studied and worked hard since early 2017 to obtain certification in drinking water treatment and environmental… Read More »Indigenous Youth Graduate From Water First Internship Program
- 2019First Project in Quebec
2019 - Wrap up at Kebaowek First Nation
On January 24 people braved the freezing temperatures and gathered at the Eagle Dome at Kebaowek First Nation to celebrate the completion of the Walleye Habitat Restoration project, a partnership between Kebaowek First Nation and Water First. Throughout the two-year project, three large walleye spawning shoals were constructed at restoration sites identified in consultation with… Read More »Wrap up at Kebaowek First Nation
- 2019Expanding Our Reach
2019 - Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikimach
In July of 2019, Water First and Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, located in northern Quebec near the border of Labrador, started a collaboration on a new environmental project. This three-year project includes both a contaminant study to establish baseline mercury and heavy metals concentrations in the soil, water, and traditionally harvested fish, and a community-based… Read More »Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikimach
- 2020Growing Roots
2020 - Empowering Indigenous youth to develop a passion for water science
Over the past number of months, Water First has been creating a new school-aged youth education pilot project, Growing Roots. Through this project, Water First is partnering with different communities to expand our youth water science education programming to maximize the involvement of Indigenous youth, leading to long-term environmental action and stewardship. In early October,… Read More »Empowering Indigenous youth to develop a passion for water science
- 2020New Drinking Water Internship
2020 - Bimose Tribal Council and Water First Announce New Internship
The Bimose Tribal Council in northwestern Ontario and Canadian charity Water First Education & Training Inc. announce their partnership to deliver a drinking water treatment and environmental water management internship program for young Indigenous adults. Fourteen interns have been recruited from ten participating First Nations communities across the Bimose Tribal Council region, to address water… Read More »Bimose Tribal Council and Water First Announce New Internship