New grads, new milestones – and more to come!
Spring 2025
The latest from the Drinking Water Internship Program is here! 🗞️
At the heart of solving long-term water challenges in Indigenous communities are the dedicated individuals gaining the skills to make a difference. With each milestone, we’re reminded how vital these partnerships are in building sustainable access to safe drinking water.
Eleven IRTC Graduates Ready to Lead 🎓
A completed internship, a celebrated milestone, and new careers ahead
After 15 months of hands-on learning and community-based training, 11 interns from seven Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC) communities have graduated from the Drinking Water Internship Program – Water First’s inaugural internship in Manitoba.
The interns earned a collective 25 certifications, including Class 1 water treatment and wastewater credentials, logged more than 1,800 hours of on-the-job experience at community water treatment plants, and took part in technical workshops with Water First trainers. Their graduation marks a major milestone – not only for the interns and their communities, but also for the future of the program.
The ceremony, originally delayed due to wildfires in the region, took place on May 29th in sunny Pinaymootang First Nation. The atmosphere was joyful, full of smiles, photos, laughter, and shared pride. Interns, family members, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the occasion, followed by a dinner feast. It was a fitting way to mark this achievement.
“The internship has opened a new door for me professionally and got me a new career in a slightly different field,” said Thomas (Clayton) Stevenson of Pegius First Nation.
Following graduation, interns join the Water First Alumni Network for ongoing professional development, peer support, and opportunities to stay connected, helping build long-term capacity in the water sector.
This program surely changed my outlook on water and how important and essential it is to us. Every training we had was so interesting and our instructors made it fun and easy to learn.
A look into the workshops, 15 months in 4 photos:
To be the first in Manitoba to bring this program to our communities has been very meaningful. We’re proud of our graduates and of the hard work they’ve done to complete this importaSocial Recent training and bring their knowledge back to their communities – and beyond.
Safe Water Needs Skilled People 🔧
And Josh is one of them.
This spring, for National Indigenous Water Operators Day (March 21) and World Water Day (March 22), we launched a campaign to spotlight the many people working behind the scenes (or rather, on the frontlines) to support access to safe, clean water. From water operators to environmental technicians to education and training professionals, it takes a community of skilled, passionate people to make long-term water solutions possible.
One of those people is Josh Janiga, an internship graduate from the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. After completing his training with Water First in fall 2024, delivered in partnership with Ogemawahj Tribal Council, Josh now works as a water operator in his community, helping ensure reliable access to safe water every day. This is why we invest in local training and education — because skilled people like Josh are key to long-term water solutions.
Watch Josh’s video, originally shared as part of our spring campaign.
Back to the Boreal 🌲
Our newest internship is off to a strong start.
In February, we launched our Drinking Water Internship, in partnership with the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council (AKRC).
It’s a return to familiar territory – the Kenora area of northwestern Ontario, where we previously ran an internship in collaboration with the Bimose Tribal Council. And once again, the energy is high, the community is strong, and the momentum is building.
Eleven interns from seven communities have joined the program and are already making massive progress on their path to becoming certified water treatment plant operators. In just a few short months, they’ve already completed Intro Week and have studied for and written their Small Systems and Operator-in-Training (OIT) exams, all while working and logging hours at their local water treatment plants.
“Vibes are immaculate,” was the best way Water First Technical Trainer and Coordinator Kayla Morales could describe this cohort. The group has been incredibly engaged and supportive of each other, with lots of peer-to-peer mentorship, shared learning, and good humour.
Looking ahead, interns will tackle the Entry Level Course (ELC) exam with a week of online prep and an in-person workshop in June, a week on the land to learn about environmental water in August, and a workshop focused on Mapping and GIS in September. There’s still a lot to come, but so far, this group has hit the ground running.
Alumni Reconnect at Walkerton🚰
Strengthening skills through ongoing learning
Water First recently welcomed back six alumni from four previous Drinking Water Internships for a special professional development workshop at the Walkerton Clean Water Centre in Walkerton, Ontario.
The event featured hands-on learning sessions, including building a working pipe, as well as opportunities to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to support ongoing professional development.
The course was arranged through the Water First Alumni Network, which offers graduates continued support in their professional journeys, and the chance to reconnect with other former interns.
It was a meaningful few days of reflection and celebration of the progress these dedicated alumni are making in the field of clean water.
Growing the Network of Water Operators 🌐
New partnerships and a new internship are on the horizon
Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities across Canada continues to be a critical issue. Nationally, 15% of First Nations communities are affected by a drinking water advisory, and that number rises to 19% in Ontario.
Water First works closely with Indigenous communities that have identified education and training as key components in addressing the water crisis. Safe water doesn’t just depend on technology – it relies on skilled people who can operate and maintain water systems. That’s why we’re proud to continue growing our Drinking Water Internship Program, which focuses on equipping Indigenous youth and adults with the technical skills and certifications needed to become water treatment plant operators.
We’ve seen strong interest in the program from Tribal Councils, community leaders, and water operators, leading to new partnerships and expansion. In fact, this summer, we’re excited to launch a new internship in southern Ontario to meet the increasing demand. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement regarding this partnership in the coming months.
