Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation

Keep up to date with our programming activities.

Long-Term Connections for Sustainable Outcomes

May 16th, 2023

A fundamental aspect to Water First’s work is striving for lasting results – which means sustainable outcomes to projects, with benefits remaining within Indigenous communities for the long term.

That’s why our focus is on education that supports a community’s long-term goals. Safe water needs skilled people, now and into the future.

This approach is clearly evident in our Environmental Water Program. Environmental projects take a long view. When it comes to fish habitat restoration or climate change monitoring, it can take months, years, or even longer to see noticeable positive change. So when a community reaches out to us for support in implementing a project or training strategy, we know it’s the start of a long-term relationship. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

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.

Group photo outside of the Naskapi Water Pumphouse.

The collaboration we’ve had with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach (NNK) in northern Quebec is a beautiful illustration of this approach. Our work together started in 2018, and led to the completion of three projects in support of lake health in the region. We’re planning ways to celebrate this relationship, so watch for more stories to come.

The partnership with Water First has allowed us to learn about the health of our lakes and fish on our traditional land. This knowledge will allow us to monitor and protect our resources for future generations.

David Swappie
Counselor, Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

Sheshatshiu Innu Nation

Water First’s work with Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) is another example of a relationship with longevity. One of the benefits of this long-term collaboration is the opportunity for fieldwork at different points in the year. Last summer, Water First staff travelled to Park Lake, Labrador, to work with SIFN on projects to support strengthened capacity for fisheries management. And then, in February, the team revisited Park Lake for a winter water monitoring workshop. We look forward to more visits in the future!

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.

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!

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.

Bringing Communities Together to Explore Winter Water Science

March 31st, 2023

Winter water monitoring can be challenging – think temperatures below -30°, biting winds, snowdrifts that can bury buildings, and lake ice so thick you need two people to drill through it. But gathering winter water data is incredibly important, especially for communities in the north. Monitoring lakes and rivers throughout the year provides a stronger understanding of the stressors on aquatic systems and how they change from season to season.

For the Water First team, February was the perfect time to bundle up for a trip to Park Lake in Labrador to work with Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) and the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach (NNK) on a winter water monitoring workshop.

The Park Lake workshop was a unique opportunity for participants from both communities to learn and winter monitor together.

Winter water monitoring at Park Lake in Labrador.

To kick off the week-long workshop, Ryan and Keegan from Water First’s Environmental Water Program delivered an introductory winter science and monitoring session. Throughout the week, the 10 participants attended sessions that explored techniques to monitor snow and ice and how these techniques can be used safely when out in the field. Together, the group learned about snow shelters, snowpack properties and processes, ice formation, strength and safety, ice measurement, and more.

Later in the week, the participants heard from a local Knowledge Keeper from Sheshatshiu, Jean Pierre Ashini. Jean Pierre, who was there for the full workshop, led his own session that covered topics such as survival on the land and Innu history.

With both communities attending the same workshop, everyone had the chance to connect with each other, exchange cultural knowledge, and learn about the different projects they are all working on. When participants from different communities can get together and learn about each other’s work, they can gather practical information and unexpected insights.

Winter workshops like these are important to communities in the north, and not just with respect to water health. Participants explore how winter science can be used to monitor snowmobiling trails for safety, how changing snow conditions can affect caribou migration patterns, or how changing amounts of snow falling can affect the overall temperature of a fishery once the snow and ice melt in the spring.

The Water First team is looking forward to warmer weather and more opportunities to expand water knowledge as our work with the SIFN and NNK communities continues.

To learn more about Water First’s Environmental Water Program, click here.

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

January 4th, 2022

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

Water First Indigenous Schools Water Program and Environmental Water Program Work Together in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN).

By Adrianna Bilinski, Indigenous School Engagement Coordinator at Water First

What does Water First do exactly? I get this question a lot from my family and friends, so I am sure others would like to know as well. We have three main field departments: Drinking Water Internship Programs, Environmental Water Projects, and Indigenous Schools Water Programs (ISWP).

Internally, we are very intentional about deepening the interconnectedness of program areas. This makes our programs and our staff stronger and more connected – to each other and to our community partners. An example of this connectedness is our current work with the Innu Community of Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation in Labrador:

In January 2020, ISWP visited Labrador to work with students at Sheshatshiu (Shé-ha-ji-u) Innu School. This was the first time Water First had worked in Labrador, and it was also my first trip as a program lead, so it was exciting for me.

We planned to study freshwater samples with the students from Lake Melville. However, since it was January, the water was frozen. This created another first for us as we went out on the ice and cut through it to get water samples from the frozen water body.

From using the auger to using a traditional Innu and Inuit ice pick method to open the ice, the activity was well received. The students were engaged throughout, and they had fun – even those who didn’t come prepared! Pictured here, I lent my winter coat and gloves to a student on the ice so he could participate.

Community needs are always at the forefront of our projects. The first visit to a community can really help our team better understand the needs of the community and their long-term vision regarding their waters.

In many ways, ISWP’s first trip to Labrador became the milestone that led to environmental water projects that are now, in 2022, deep-rooted in the community. When we returned in November 2021 to work with the school for the second time, a fish habitat restoration project and long-term climate change monitoring project with our Environmental Water Program team had begun with Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation. These projects are part of the effort to restore a fishing lodge on Park Lake (locally known as Iatuepakau) into a 100% Innu-owned-and-operated adventure tourism and education facility.

Some of the students remembered ISWP’s first visit to the school because of the experience of going out on the ice! But once they found out that through Water First, I was connected to the Park Lake project, some of the students asked to join extra workshops to learn more. Interest was high because the staff at Park Lake are all members of the Innu community, and the youth wanted to hear about the things they were doing with Water First.

The most exciting part of ISWP’s second visit to the community was being joined by two high school students who were part of the Park Lake project with our Environmental Water Program.

Throughout the summer, the two students had been training to become junior guides or interns. They were proud to show their younger peers some of the water sciences tools they had learned to use over the summer months.

We were so encouraged by this because the goal of our school programming is to inspire youth to take an interest in water science and get involved in available training, like these two young men.

The Indigenous Schools Water Program (ISWP) is designed to be flexible, which allows our workshops to connect and relate to the local geography, context and needs.

One way we do this is to invite guest speakers from the community to join: those that work in environmental or water-related fields, water treatment plant operators, fishermen, water walkers or respected community members that may be recommended by our collaborative community partners on the ground.

These guest speakers provide their experience and knowledge of the local community. We can then connect this to the watershed context that we teach the students. Often, they will teach the students and us about the observed changes in water levels or fish populations. Sometimes, they perform relevant cultural ceremonies. Any knowledge they share makes the learning more meaningful for the students and for us as instructors.

To strengthen the connection across our programs, we invite Interns or Alumni from other Water First programs to be our guest speakers at the school when possible. For example, in Sheshatshiu, our colleague Ryan Osman, the Environmental Water Project Lead, helped organize three different guest speakers involved in the Environmental Project so far: Napess Ashini, a knowledge keeper, Ian Rich, the local water treatment plant operator, and Seth Hurley, a Water First Intern.

Napass Ashini came to speak on the first day of programming. He brought important local Innu history and ways of knowing that helped frame the whole week of learning at the school.

Ian Rich spoke with two classes, and he brought testing tools used in the water treatment plant to measure the chlorine level in the tap water and turbidity levels. The students were able to run the tests themselves, and they had a lot of questions for Ian.

Seth spoke with three different groups of students throughout the week. Many of the students recognized him from around the community. Because of that familiarity, both Seth and the students felt at ease and eager to share and learn. He showed the students some technology that he had learned to use during Water First training on the fish habitat and climate change projects, and the students had an opportunity to use those tools themselves.

This strong connection between the Environmental Water Program and the ISWP workshops amplifies the meaningfulness of our work with communities. This is the type of local connection we are always striving for.

When youth can see members of their own community taking an interest and working for the health of the water, it inspires them.

We have seen it in the past, and it was very evident in Sheshatshiu this November. Holding on to this success, we press on to continually inspire young minds to pursue an interest in water science as it is so important to the world and, more importantly, their community!

To learn more about Water First’s Indigenous Schools Water Program, click here.

Long Term Monitoring Program in Sheshatshiu

August 4th, 2021

After acquiring an old fishing lodge on Park Lake, Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN) in central Labrador are beginning a 10-year process to clean up and improve the lodge site to run a 100% Innu owned and operated tourism lodge, just south of Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve.

Water First is working with SIFN to develop a long-term fish habitat monitoring program for Park Lake, as well as fish habitat restoration to improve areas where garbage was left from the old lodge.

Our first visit to the community involved an opportunity to meet the managers of the lodge, the guides who operate it, and the youth apprentices being trained. Together, the group explored water quality and climate change monitoring, along with opportunities for knowledge exchange.

During this visit, the group also collected water and sediment samples to send for lab analysis to see the extent of the contamination that may have occurred from the old lodge waste. This monitoring will continue for 3 years.

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.

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Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation

Long-Term Connections for Sustainable Outcomes

A fundamental aspect to Water First’s work is striving for lasting results – which means sustainable outcomes to projects, with benefits remaining within Indigenous communities for the long term.

Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

Sheshatshiu Innu Nation

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.

Bringing Communities Together to Explore Winter Water Science

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

Water First Indigenous Schools Water Program and Environmental Water Program Work Together in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN).

What does Water First do exactly? I get this question a lot from my family and friends, so I am sure others would like to know as well. We have three main field departments: Drinking Water Internship Programs, Environmental Water Projects, and Indigenous Schools Water Programs (ISWP).

Community needs are always at the forefront of our projects. The first visit to a community can really help our team better understand the needs of the community and their long-term vision regarding their waters.

The most exciting part of ISWP’s second visit to the community was being joined by two high school students who were part of the Park Lake project with our Environmental Water Program.

This strong connection between the Environmental Water Program and the ISWP workshops amplifies the meaningfulness of our work with communities. This is the type of local connection we are always striving for.

When youth can see members of their own community taking an interest and working for the health of the water, it inspires them.

Long Term Monitoring Program in Sheshatshiu

Skills training to meet a community’s vision

Strong communities. Safe, clean water.

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

Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation

Long-Term Connections for Sustainable Outcomes

A fundamental aspect to Water First’s work is striving for lasting results – which means sustainable outcomes to projects, with benefits remaining within Indigenous communities for the long term.

Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach

Sheshatshiu Innu Nation

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.

Bringing Communities Together to Explore Winter Water Science

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

Connecting Youth, Science, Water, and Community

Water First Indigenous Schools Water Program and Environmental Water Program Work Together in Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation (SIFN).

What does Water First do exactly? I get this question a lot from my family and friends, so I am sure others would like to know as well. We have three main field departments: Drinking Water Internship Programs, Environmental Water Projects, and Indigenous Schools Water Programs (ISWP).

Community needs are always at the forefront of our projects. The first visit to a community can really help our team better understand the needs of the community and their long-term vision regarding their waters.

The most exciting part of ISWP’s second visit to the community was being joined by two high school students who were part of the Park Lake project with our Environmental Water Program.

This strong connection between the Environmental Water Program and the ISWP workshops amplifies the meaningfulness of our work with communities. This is the type of local connection we are always striving for.

When youth can see members of their own community taking an interest and working for the health of the water, it inspires them.

Long Term Monitoring Program in Sheshatshiu

Skills training to meet a community’s vision

Strong communities. Safe, clean water.

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

Making waves with the
Environmental Water Program