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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.

Naomi Mandamin

Naomi Mandamin

Position: Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
Categories: Alumni

Naomi was born in Sudbury and moved to Wiikwemkoong when she was in Grade 5. As a result, she says with a smile, “I’m not a bush person, I’m a city girl.” She has been fascinated with science for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always wanted to work in a lab,” she says.

The scope of Water First’s training – from testing for chlorine, hardness, alkalinity, and turbidity to microbiological analysis and surface water sampling – is right up Naomi’s alley. Naomi is now working as the Environmental Coordinator for UCCMM.

Naomi Mandamin

Naomi Mandamin

Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory
Nathan Copenace

Nathan Copenace

Position: Washagamis Bay First Nation
Categories: Alumni

Passionate and dedicated, Nathan is from Washagamis Bay First Nation. “The Water First program was first brought up to me by my father. He emailed the flyer and talked about how this is a good opportunity, not just career-wise but for the whole community. I didn’t know anything about our water situation until this opportunity came about and presented itself. It made me look deeper and try to understand what a water treatment operator does.

The community has never had clean drinking water since I was born, so I never really questioned it. After some looking into it, I found out why it was so important to understand what a water treatment plant operator is. They don’t just make clean water but water for emergencies like fires. They also understand the plant to a point where they know how much water they have before they run out. There is a lot they do to understand the water in order to treat and inform the surrounding communities if there is a possible danger in the water source. This program really opened my eyes to what it means to be a water treatment operator.”

Nathan Copenace

Nathan Copenace

Washagamis Bay First Nation
Water First Intern: Nathan Pamajewon

Nathan Pamajewon

Position: Shawanaga First Nation
Categories: Alumni

“I enjoy being out on the land. It gives me inspiration towards making music and drawing. I also like fishing, hunting, and gathering medicine. I’m proud of where I come from and the lands and resources that our land has to offer for us.

Before starting the Internship, I was in a Level 1 carpenter apprenticeship and was just finishing that up. Thinking about my future, I was all over the map when it came to what I wanted to do, and this opportunity just fit my personality much more. I love the environment and our people, and being able to provide safe drinking water to my community really hit my heart.

I’ve always been around the water growing up. It was something I felt I had a direct connection with. At first, I only knew a bit about water; I didn’t think that there was so much behind it, but I’m glad I learned the process and how to take pride in your work and keeping everyone safe. My inspiration was to be one of the men that provided care and respect for water as an Indigenous individual; alongside our women was even better. Water Warriors from both genders protecting that lifeline was a big thing to be involved with.

I am doing this for our people water is life, and I consider this to be an honour to keep it protected for now and the future. I want to take every step to becoming a successful Indigenous warrior in this line of work, and inspire the Indigenous youth to see the importance when it comes to water.

I believe this to be a career for myself, and I’ve enjoyed all of the experience so far, that I have been given the chance to obtain greater things in life. I want to see our community grow and become the best it can be. Provide the best and safe drinking water for my community or another community that’s not mine. Sky’s the limit.”

Water First Intern: Nathan Pamajewon

Nathan Pamajewon

Shawanaga First Nation

Nick Chapman

Position: Temagami First Nation
Categories: Alumni

“I wanted to join Water First because I love the environment. My dream was to become a Conservation Officer, and before graduation, I was given this opportunity by one of my sister’s friends. In my perspective, I thought that learning to become a water treatment operator was pretty close to my dream and that this would give me more time to decide on my future.

I’m mostly doing this for myself; I wanted to prove to myself that anything is possible if I try hard enough, prove that I am smart enough and I can put in the initiative.

I am in love with this program. The knowledge I have been given is a blessing, I would have to say that our in-person study sessions are my favorite part of the program. Especially when we went to Killarney and we got to go test the river, we used D-nets and kick nets to find benthic macroinvertebrates (ex. Stonefly Larva or Midge Larva (Bloodworm)). Definitely have to say my most favorite memories are there.”

Nick Chapman

Temagami First Nation
Water First Intern, Nigel Debassige, from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation

Nigel Debassige

Position: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation
Categories: Alumni

“I decided to join Water First for myself and my community. I did it for myself to find a successful career, but I also saw and recognized the importance of water and keeping the surrounding bodies of water healthy for all living things.

At the moment, I see myself working as a water operator in the future, but every week is something new. The program shows me new paths for water- be it treatment, sampling, distribution, or the environmental side of keeping water safe. 

I’ve had a blast in the program so far! My favourite part has definitely been bonding with my fellow interns; enviro week was great for that.”

Water First Intern, Nigel Debassige, from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation

Nigel Debassige

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation
Photo of Noah Mokoush

Noah Mokoush

Position: Naskapi Nation
Categories: Alumni

Over the years, Noah has been inspired to take on community education projects. Everything from local concerns about stray dogs to diabetes studies and environmental projects. He shows his care through his work. “I like helping people and I’m very passionate about the land, our culture, and the people.”

Noah is a Water First Environmental Intern. He has been involved in a contaminant sampling program for heavy metals and fish population studies in Kawawachikamach. “I want the community to feel secure and show them that it’s okay to fish, but we have to be careful. I want to help the community make better choices.”

His role as a community translator of traditional Naskapi has been helpful with the recent Water First food frequency questionnaire. Interns are collecting data on fish consumption and possible health risks due to heavy metals. “This will help us make more informed decisions about our diet,” Noah explains.

With a great sense of humour and a strong interest in learning, Noah has enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other Water First Interns. After attending a Water First workshop in Quebec City last fall, Noah shared, “I like that there were also people from different First Nation communities. They had different obstacles than us, but we got to learn and exchange ideas with them. I hope it will help to keep improving our restoration work.”

 

Photo of Noah Mokoush

Noah Mokoush

Naskapi Nation

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