Youngest of the group, 23 year-old Kacie McLaren is an Algonquin from Kebaowek First Nation. She has an Environmental Technician diploma from Canadore college. She heard about the fish habitat restoration project from her dad, and decided to apply because as an environmentalist she is passionate about protecting mother nature.… Read More
Before starting the restoration project, Ivan was working with Land Management at Kebaowek First Nation in various forestry-related jobs. As the mentor of the group, Ivan shared extensive knowledge about the traditional lands and waterways surrounding the community.
He said that he applied for the mentor position because it gave … Read More
“Not only did we want to make a difference in the Kipawa Lake fishery, but we also wanted to learn about our land and all the ways we can help preserve the ecosystem; and through this project we were able to accomplish that and much more.”
25 year-old McKaylii Jawbone, … Read More
Alex Cartagena has worked a lot of jobs since high school – in carpentry, in forestry, and at the quarry. When that last job at the quarry ended due to a shutdown, he found himself unemployed, with two children and bills to pay.
The Water First Internship is a ticket … Read More
Alex Nahwegahbow obtained is Operator-In-Training certification and Water Quality Analyst certification, two goals that he set out at the start the internship. “This is a great opportunity,” he said. “I like this work, and it’s a good job to get into.”
Alex completed one year of a Police Foundations diploma … Read More
“A lot of people are oblivious about the water,” says Amy Waboose. “But for our culture, water is life. It’s important, and I try to teach my son the same.”
Amy is now working full time at the Whitefish River First Nation Water Treatment plant as an Operator-in-Training and Water … Read More
An avid outdoorsman, Cassidy Beaudin is keen to turn his Water First Internship experience into a job as a treatment plant operator.
“Water is the key to life, I’ve always known how important it is,” he said. “And I really like being part of making clean water.”
After graduating high … Read More
When Chelsea Antoine Debassige first heard about the Water First Internship and the training it provides, she thought, “What on earth is a water quality analyst?”
The Water First Internship has given Chelsea a chance to work in her home community (the most remote on Manitoulin Island). Chelsea is currently … Read More
Dallas Goodfellow was born in Sault Ste. Marie, and moved to Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) when he was in Grade 3. He had a job at the AOK water treatment plant while he was in high school, and has worked since high school at a local fish farm.
The Water … Read More
Naomi Mandamin 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’s also been fascinated with science for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always wanted to … Read More
Paige Manitowabi is excited to take what she’s learning as a Water First intern and combine it with her growing interest in traditional Anishinaabe ways. That mix of knowledge, she thinks, could be the key to solving a lot of issues.
“It’s new knowledge – I’m learning a lot,” she … Read More
A young man with an activist’s heart, Eric Vautour has been involved with water and environmental issues since high school. As a teenager he worked on Sheguiandah’s Green Plan Project, a program that engaged youth in environmental actions like shoreline cleanups. Following high school, he did a contract as a … Read More
Chris Wemigwans saw the Water First Internship as a chance to learn valuable skills and lay the groundwork for a career in his home community. Chris was hired by Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) after the internship and is now working as an OIT at the local water treatment plant.
Born … Read More