Water we up to? News from the Environmental Water Program!
Summer 2025
The latest from the Environmental Water Program is here!
At the heart of protecting water and ecosystems in Indigenous communities are the people gaining the skills to monitor, understand, and steward their local environments. With every workshop, field week, and collaboration, the program continues to grow, and so does the network of environmental water experts ready to lead the way.
🌳 Building monitoring skills, one workshop at a time
Environmental Water Interns progress through three core learning streams on the path to graduationÂ
The Environmental Water Internship (EWI) is all about building practical skills and confidence in environmental monitoring, and the past year has been packed with hands-on workshops, collaborative projects, and big learning moments.
Interns gain skills, experience, and certifications in three core themes: water quality, data communication, and fish conservation. Each theme includes a series of workshops, followed by a final skills demonstration, where interns get the chance to put their learning into practice and show what they’ve built over time. Together, these learning blocks form a unique pathway into community-led environmental work.
Since the last update, the interns have completed both the Water Quality and Data Communication streams, and have just begun the third: Fish Conservation.
A look into the workshops:
Water Quality
Data Communication
Fish Conservation
As the internship moves into its final stretch, we’re also working behind the scenes to assess and formalize the program. One key objective is to secure accreditation for the program, so that interns graduate with recognized certifications. We’ve been working closely with Eco Canada towards this goal and recently hosted them in the field as part of the review process, with results expected soon.
We also welcomed Sue Chiblow, professor at the University of Guelph and member of our Indigenous Advisory Council, to review the program as an external examiner, bringing her expertise in both Indigenous knowledge and Western water science to the table. These efforts are helping shape the future of the internship.
🧪STEM Festival​
Interns and Students Connect Over Water Science
As part of their internship, Environmental Water interns teamed up with Water First’s School Water Program to host a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Festival in early June. This fun event saw more than 65 students from communities around Sault Ste. Marie explore water science and environmental careers through fun, hands-on activities. The interns helped lead activities, shared stories, and encouraged the next generation to get curious about the world around them, all while fulfilling an important part of their own learning journey.
📣 Community-Based Projects
Collaborating on local priorities, one project at a time​
In addition to our work on the Environmental Water Internship, we are launching two new collaborative community-driven environmental projects this summer. Responding to local needs and priorities, these projects are rooted in trust, built through partnership, and build capacity to support water and environmental resource sovereignty. Community members gain the skills and experience necessary to continue the work long after the project wraps.
Timiskaming First Nation
This work first took us on a three-day walleye habitat workshop with Timiskaming First Nation, hosted by their Ni’ Dakinan Lands and Resources Department. Participants and guardians explored both theory and fieldwork around Lake Timiskaming, learning to assess and characterize walleye habitat. There was also a surprise visit from white suckers migrating upstream during a field demonstration!
As a first collaboration with the community, this project offered a valuable opportunity to build relationships, support the Nation’s long-term stewardship goals, and learn more about their exciting work. This included an introduction to The Wild Basket, a community initiative blending Traditional Knowledge, food sovereignty, and local business.
Coming soon: Waterways Collective
We’re excited to soon be collaborating with the Waterways Collective, a volunteer-led paddling group based in Serpent River First Nation, on an upcoming community-based environmental monitoring project.
This introductory workshop will bring together participants of all ages and experience levels to explore the basics of water and land-based monitoring. With guidance from local Traditional Ecological Knowledge Elders, this project will make space for a focus on the fundamentals of environmental monitoring as well as community connection and shared learning. The project will also involve members of Water First’s Indigenous Advisory Council, making it a rich opportunity to braid science with Traditional Knowledge.
With plans still shaping up, one thing is clear: this is going to be a special collaboration.
Thank you for joining us throughout another year of successes and milestones.
Your donations make this vital work possible, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to fostering environmental education and stewardship in Indigenous communities.
By giving today or becoming a monthly donor, you can help ensure that these projects and partnerships continue!
