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Water First

Interns and Alumni

Meet some of the interns and community mentors, both current and past, who have worked with Water First. Please note that not everyone wants to have their biography and photo listed here.

Click on an individual for a brief biography.

Elijah Toulouse

Position: Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Categories: Alumni

I had a few different jobs before I started for Water First, but none of them were quite right for me. I was at a career fair in my community, and Water First had a booth set up. I had walked by it several times and finally stopped to ask questions about the program. I was very interested in what Kendra Driscoll had to say about it, and I applied just to see if I would get in.

To be honest, before I started or even applied to the program, I had no idea what I was walking into; I knew nothing about water or anything in that regard. I was a bit nervous at first, but I’m learning as we go along, enjoying and loving it.

I hope to become more knowledgeable and gain the experience to become a better water treatment professional. I really enjoy going to training, learning something new each time that helps me better understand the things I do on a daily basis. After completing the program, I can still see myself in the water field for a little while longer. I hope to work for my community, and if not, I plan on working in a conventional plant to gain more experience and hopefully return to my community to serve them better.

Elijah Toulouse

Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation
Eric Vautour

Eric Vautour

Position: Sheguindah First Nation
Categories: Alumni

Now a graduate from the Water First Intern program, Eric splits his time between the water plant and working on environmental projects like his communities source water protection plan.

Eric explains, “This Internship has taught me more about the situation of clean water in our province. I didn’t know how many First Nations communities were without clean water. I really want to change that in the next few years.”

During the Internship, Eric has enjoyed learning about a variety of drinking water systems in Manitoulin’s other six First Nations communities, as well as gaining more in-depth knowledge about water quality testing.

Eric Vautour

Eric Vautour

Sheguindah First Nation

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Alumni graduate Amy Waboose working in her community drinking water treatment plant.