Long Point First Nation

Keep up to date with our programming activities.

Part of the Hive:
Working together for lasting results

August 14th, 2023

Written by Adrianna Bilinski, Program Manager

Water First has been partnering with Long Point First Nation (LPFN), located in western Quebec, for more than three years. Our Environmental Water team will be completing a two-year walleye spawning habitat restoration project in partnership with LPFN in the fall of 2023. The Indigenous Schools Water Program (ISWP) at Water First has had the privilege and pleasure of working with the local school, Amo Ososwan, for three consecutive years – once with our digital remote delivery in 2021, then in-person the two years following.

During the first week of April, some Water First staff made a trip up to LPFN as part of our ongoing collaborative work with this special community.

Amo Ososwan is the Algonquin word for “hive.” One of the teachers in the school described the pride everyone has in the school’s name, because the students, teachers, administration, and others all work together to make the school run as a safe and productive environment, much like how in a hive, the bees all work together. ISWP team members were in the school for a week leading into the Easter weekend, and we got glimpses of that teamwork making amazing things happen, like Easter egg hunts and field trips to the water with us!

For two years in a row now, the ISWP team has had the chance to travel with the Environmental Team to Long Point. It is not common for our program departments to travel and work together directly in a community, but when we do, there’s a huge range of benefits that support successful collaborations. Working together, we form stronger bonds between team members at Water First, which supports rich collaborations. Our combined visits to Long Point have allowed the rare occurrence of Enviro team members joining the Schools Programs and – even more rare – the opportunity for Schools Program team members to sit in on meetings with the Lands and Resources departments as the Enviro team collaborates with local experts. These meetings allow the Enviro team to understand if there are any additional projects that Water First can support, and help enrich the programs and community ties by sharing the work and the knowledge being exchanged.

Long Point First Nation is currently talking to a mining company about future opportunities, which provided an opportunity for a local, relevant case study as part of the watershed workshop we brought to the school. Because we were able to meet with the Lands and Resources Department to understand mining activity better, we could talk knowledgeably with the students about the reality of mining industry impacts on the land.

Thanks to Water First team members being invited to be part of the hive with Long Point, we were able to collaborate in a way that supported meaningful partnership and lasting results for the school and the community.

Environmental Water Program

May 2nd, 2023

Making waves with the
Environmental Water Program

Environmental Water Program | Spring 2023

Water First and Naskapi Nation keep making waves!

Water First’s partnership with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, a community in northern Quebec, is a story of long-term collaboration. Starting in 2018 (making it our longest active project to date), the collaboration has seen the successful completion of three projects aimed at supporting the community to monitor lake health in the region, which is experiencing an increased interest in resource exploration. And the collaboration keeps getting stronger.

In 2022, Water First staff visited Kawawachikamach three times to deliver skills training to interns and community members. The interns were eager to participate in the training workshops on their own lands, which included conducting fish habitat surveys and creating an environmental baseline.

In preparation for the summer fish habitat assessment project, newly hired interns and previous partners spent time becoming familiar with various water quality monitoring tools and equipment.

Noah and Cheyenne Swappie, both past interns, took on a leadership role with the newly hired interns and demonstrated use of the tools and equipment for the group. In this photo, they’re showing the group how to use a YSI Meter that tests for dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH.

Dillon from our Indigenous Schools Water Program at a local feast, the first gathering since before COVID; Caribou, pemmican, geese, fish, bannock!

Group photo outside of the Naskapi Water Pumphouse.

Thanks to the long-term nature of the relationship, Environmental Interns from past projects shared their knowledge from previous training with new interns to help the team pick up the skills they needed.

Each week during the training, the interns sampled water at several locations around their community before transitioning into fish habitat assessment work in July. This water quality data formed a valuable baseline for their region, and the sampling trips helped keep their knowledge and skills sharp.

During the visit in August, the team joined the community’s 10th annual fishing derby, where they collected data such as length, weight, and sex from the fish that were caught, as well as samples to send to labs for analysis.

The Environmental Water team wasn’t the only Water First presence in Kawawachikamach. Last May, Dillon from the Schools Program team visited the community to deliver a workshop to students at Jimmy Sandy Memorial School. Two students, Jaylen and George, enjoyed the workshop so much that they ended up getting hired by the Environmental Water Program to work throughout the summer months, learning how to do water and fish sampling and proper protocols for handling and processing the samples project!

Kabimbetas (Noah) Mokoush, a former Environmental Water intern, also visited the school to help deliver a workshop and explained water science concepts to the students in the Naskapi language. Hearing the concepts in their own language, explained in a more familiar context, helped the students to grasp how watersheds work.⁠

Water First’s partnership with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach has been a significant, long-term collaboration. We are grateful for the opportunity to work together, and we look forward to more successes in the future.

Climate monitoring with Brunswick House First Nation

In June 2022, Water First partnered with Brunswick House First Nation (BHFN) to create a climate monitoring plan for the Mountbatten Reserve to track the impacts of climate change on lands and waters. Water First team members Cory Savage and Tanya Sackaney began the project by identifying six survey sites on six different lakes in Mountbatten and providing hands-on training to a three-intern team of young Indigenous adults from BHFN. The interns — Santana, Paradise and Shawn — dedicated two months over the summer to sampling those waters to better understand and prevent the effects of climate change. Students from Chapleau High School joined in to take samples and observations from the wetlands, which was a great opportunity to engage them in water science skills and knowledge.

Later in the summer, Santana presented the results to the community, which was well received. Santana went on to present her work at the Indigenous Lands, Resources and Environment Management Conference 2023 at Science North in Sudbury. Water First looks forward to collaborating again with BHFN in this field season.

Summer and winter learning in Labrador

Last August, Environmental Water Program staff Ryan and Stephen were in Park Lake, Labrador to work on a collaborative fish habitat and climate monitoring project with Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN).

The goal of the project was to support strengthened capacity for guides at Park Lake Lodge to manage a fishery on traditional territory at the headwaters of the Eagle River. The program supported interns in learning about fish anatomy and handling and the pressures on fish populations from a western science perspective, and placed a strong emphasis on incorporating cultural activities and Traditional Knowledge into the training.

One of the guides, Seth Hurley, presented on the project at the Labrador Research Forum, a biennial forum dedicated to sharing knowledge, experience, and innovations about diverse research happening all over Labrador. This was an exciting opportunity for Seth and the project team to share their findings and learnings.

The team’s visit to Park Lake in February for a winter water monitoring workshop was a very different experience from the summer – with temperatures getting below -30 degrees and snowdrifts high enough to bury buildings. Interns from Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach learned about the importance of winter water monitoring and explored the safe use of different techniques. In addition, participants heard from a local Knowledge Keeper from Sheshatshiu, Jean Pierre Ashini, who led a session that covered topics such as survival on the land and Innu history.

Strengthened capacity for aquatic stewardship and management with Innu Nation

Last year, Innu Nation in Labrador approached us for support in applying for funding to create an Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Department. Not only was the application successful, but Water First continued to support Innu Nation with developing a strategic plan for the department – working with Innu Nation Guardians – and collaborated on a cumulative effects workshop.

All this work will inform Innu Nation’s stewardship and management decisions related to fish and aquatic resources into the future. We look forward to continuing this collaboration.

A labour of love in Long Point First Nation

Long Point First Nation (LPFN) Fish Habitat Coordinator Nathalie Mathias and her daughter Kayla did the heavy lifting on a fish habitat project – literally! The project involved moving more than 10 metric tonnes of rock from the source pit to the dam site to support walleye spawning. Kudos to Nathalie and Kayla for their hard work and commitment to local walleye populations.

Monitoring water quality in Lake Dana with Cree Nation Government

In 2019, the Cree Nation Government (CNG) received funding for a protected area program to support water quality projects. Water First was invited to work with CNG to gather data that will help quantify water quality in Lake Dana and train community members to be able to continue collecting data independently and for the long run. The technical water science skills training program is equipping community members with the skills, capacity and confidence to be able to assess changes – like whether the lake is getting muddier, staying the same or getting cleaner. 2023 is the second year of the collaboration with CNG and the Cree Nation of Nemaska. This year’s project is a refresher training for participants in last year’s project and training for new participants.

Collaboration and skills development – across programs and among communities

Last summer, interns from Water First’s Drinking Water program joined interns from the Environmental Water program for three days of training. Seven interns from six communities, along with Water First staff, gained their CABIN (Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network) certificate. CABIN is a training program run by Environment & Climate Change Canada that equips participants with the knowledge and skills to assess watershed health by looking at bioindicators like benthic (or bottom-dwelling) invertebrates.

⁠The training was an opportunity for Drinking Water interns from Dokis, Shawanaga and Wasauksing First Nations and Environmental Water interns from Long Point First Nation, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation and Sagamok Anishnawbek Nation to spend time together. Everyone stayed in cabins just outside Long Point First Nation together, so they could share local dishes, chat about language differences, and learn about each other’s experiences in different Water First programs.⁠

The most rewarding part of this experience was bringing these amazing, passionate individuals together so they could connect with other Indigenous leaders in water sciences to advance their skills and knowledge.

More exciting collaborations on the horizon

A community-based fish habitat restoration and education project in the Spanish River Watershed:
This project is a collaborative effort between Water First and Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. A few of our team members travelled to Sagamok Anishnawbek earlier this month to do initial walleye monitoring and host a community open house.

A new Environmental Water Internship:
This exciting new offering will be piloted in 2024-2025, and has emerged through the growth and evolution of the Environmental Water Program. The program will provide paid internships to Indigenous youth and young adults to develop technical and employability skills and achieve certifications to work in water and fish resource management within or near their own communities. Water First’s internship model has been successfully tested and delivered through the Drinking Water Internship Program since 2017. Watch for more about the internship to come!

Thank you for supporting environmental water projects and technical skills training, co-designed to advance community-identified goals.

Restoration sites selected in Long Point First Nation

July 29th, 2021

The Environmental Water team’s latest collaboration with Long Point First Nation, is continuing to evolve. In consultation with the community, two sites have been identified for a walleye habitat restoration project, and two youth have been hired to work alongside Water First staff. A local mentor position is still set to be hired soon.

Approvals have been enthusiastically received from both the community and the Ministère des Forêts, Faune et Parcs to begin the project which will weave many learning components into the process of the restoration.

This fall, partners from Long Point, Kebaowek, Kitigan Zibi First Nations will participate in Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) training. This training is part of a collaboration between Living Lakes Canada and WWF (along with Water First and Ottawa Riverkeeper) to increase the collection of water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate data for major watersheds in Canada.

Skills training to meet a community’s vision

April 6th, 2021

While working with many Indigenous communities, we have heard time and again their vision of Indigenous-led land management. Communities want to manage their water resources and track the effects of industry and climate change. As a result, communities are seeking ways to strengthen their technical capacity to do so.

Environmental technical training is a well-established field. What sets Water First apart is our approach.

First, we consult with our Indigenous partners about their long-term environmental water goals. By understanding their goals, we help to determine priority areas and local training needs. Then, we design a training program based on a project that is carried out by the interns and aligns with the long-term vision of the community.

This map features where our Environmental Water Program Team have worked and features two training programs that are set to start this summer.

Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) in Happy Valley Goose Bay, NL has begun to develop a 100% Innu owned and operated environmental tourism operation in the area. SIFN reached out to Water First to train their guides in order to have the local capacity to sustainably manage activities related to water quality, and fish habitat assessment and restoration.

Water First will support the training of seven community members from Long Point, Kebaowek, and Kitigan Zibi First Nations. The goal is to build environmental monitoring skills and to gain certification in a standardized protocol for assessing stream health called CABIN.

A Visit to Long Point First Nation in Winneway, Quebec

November 4th, 2020

Walleye are a culturally significant species of fish for Anishinabek Peoples.

So, when the walleye habitat restoration work with Longpoint First Nation in Winneway, Quebec was postponed this summer due to COVID-19, we were disappointed.

But recently, after getting the clearance from the pandemic committee, we visited the community to reconnect and to scope out two community suggested sites for the restoration work.

One of the sites was suggested because it borders a cultural site. Every year, the community has a cultural week hosted at this site twice a year. This week is a chance to gather and to get kids out on the land and on the water.

The other site was suggested because the waterfall acts as a natural barrie. The fish would travel to this point and since they can’t go any further would spawn at this site. By restoring both of these sites, the walleye eggs and fry would have an increased chance of survival.

Come spring, we will hire two interns from the community to work with us building their capacity to continue this work long after we are gone.

Learn more about the projects within our Environmental Program here.

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Long Point First Nation

Part of the Hive:
Working together for lasting results

Written by Adrianna Bilinski, Program Manager

Environmental Water Program

Making waves with the
Environmental Water Program

Environmental Water Program | Spring 2023

Water First and Naskapi Nation keep making waves!

Climate monitoring with Brunswick House First Nation

Summer and winter learning in Labrador

Strengthened capacity for aquatic stewardship and management with Innu Nation

A labour of love in Long Point First Nation

Monitoring water quality in Lake Dana with Cree Nation Government

Collaboration and skills development – across programs and among communities

More exciting collaborations on the horizon

Thank you for supporting environmental water projects and technical skills training, co-designed to advance community-identified goals.

Restoration sites selected in Long Point First Nation

Skills training to meet a community’s vision

A Visit to Long Point First Nation in Winneway, Quebec

Walleye are a culturally significant species of fish for Anishinabek Peoples.

Strong communities. Safe, clean water.

© 2024 All Rights Reserved. Water First Education & Training Inc. | Charitable Registration No: 83852 5269 RR0001

Long Point First Nation

Part of the Hive: Working together for lasting results

Written by Adrianna Bilinski, Program Manager

Environmental Water Program

Making waves with the Environmental Water Program

Environmental Water Program | Spring 2023

Water First and Naskapi Nation keep making waves!

Climate monitoring with Brunswick House First Nation

Summer and winter learning in Labrador

Strengthened capacity for aquatic stewardship and management with Innu Nation

A labour of love in Long Point First Nation

Monitoring water quality in Lake Dana with Cree Nation Government

Collaboration and skills development – across programs and among communities

More exciting collaborations on the horizon

Thank you for supporting environmental water projects and technical skills training, co-designed to advance community-identified goals.

Restoration sites selected in Long Point First Nation

Skills training to meet a community’s vision

A Visit to Long Point First Nation in Winneway, Quebec

Walleye are a culturally significant species of fish for Anishinabek Peoples.

Strong communities. Safe, clean water.

© 2024 All Rights Reserved. Water First Education & Training Inc. | Charitable Registration No: 83852 5269 RR0001

Part of the Hive:
Working together for lasting results

Making waves with the
Environmental Water Program