In July of 2024, Water First and Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC) began the very first Environmental Water Internship, which will see participants from six communities gain certifications in Water Quality, Environmental Data, and Fish Conservation over the course of the 15-month program.
Modelled after the successful Drinking Water Internship, this program will strengthen local capacity for managing water and fish resources and the impact of industry and climate change.
Growing Water First’s Environmental Water Program to include an internship fills a gap in the water science field and delivers technical training based on feedback from collaborative consultation and assessment of community priorities. To date, Water First has delivered more than 90 Environmental Water workshops in Indigenous communities across Canada.
And it may also be a stepping stone for them to go into higher education to learn more about science and impacts on the environment. Interns will be out in the rivers on their traditional territories practising environmental stewardship, monitoring fish habitats and water quality. This really fits in with many of our communities' long term plans for environmental sustainability.
