Congratulations to Water First Executive Director and Founder John Millar, for receiving a special medal at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa this past February!
Awarded for “contributions in non-profit management, working alongside Indigenous communities to address drinking water and environmental water challenges through education, training and meaningful collaboration,” John was one of a small group of recipients invited to Ottawa to receive the medal directly from Governor General Mary Simon.
John was accompanied by Naomi Mandamin, a Water First Graduate and current member of Water First’s Indigenous Advisory Council. Naomi shared, “I feel like the ceremony and meeting the governor general was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m happy to have been a part of it. It’s great to see the work of Water First being recognized; we’ve all come a long way in our journeys.”
Mary Simon is Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, which makes the recognition of Water First’s work even more significant. “This is all about acknowledging the tremendously hard work of the interns and staff, and really celebrates the model that we strive for,” says John. ”We’re proud to be recognized for the way we work: a partnership of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people coming together to solve complex problems and create better solutions.”
Congratulations, John and Naomi!
