The water crisis in Indigenous communities
Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities continues to be an issue in Canada. Nobody understands the evolving challenges and needs more than the people who live there. Understanding what community members have to say about their priorities has been the catalyst for building lasting solutions.
Technology alone does not provide clean and reliable drinking water; the people who run the systems are critical. Many Indigenous communities in Canada have identified the need for more young, qualified, and local personnel to support solving water issues, independently and for the long term. However, there is a lack of locally available opportunities for young adults to gain the relevant skills and experiences.
The Drinking Water Internship Program directly addresses this by supporting young Indigenous adults to become certified water treatment plant operators.
The Internship is welcomed by Indigenous communities that view training and skill development as a key part of the solution to drinking water challenges. This approach ensures sustainable access to safe drinking water in Indigenous communities for the long term.
Expanding to meet pressing community demand
The Internship program was originally developed in partnership with the United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising, Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and the Anishinabek Nation, representing 39 First Nations in northern Ontario. Piloted in 2017-2018 with seven First Nations communities on Manitoulin Island, the program was incredibly successful and significantly exceeded expectations among the project partners. Following the success of the pilot, we have since launched two more partnerships and the next Drinking Water internship will be launched with the North Shore Tribal Council in the summer of 2022.
Intern to Operator in just 15 months
The Water First Internship is a water quality education program supporting Indigenous youth to become leaders in the world of drinking water treatment.
Recent program news
Experience in a Big City Treatment Plant
Written by: Lori Corbiere, an intern from Wahnapitae First Nation in the Drinking Water Internship Program, and Kendra Driscoll, Water Quality Specialist at Water First.
Water First To Build New Operations Hub to Support Significant Growth in Programming
The Water First Operations Hub will serve as a centre of effective coordination supporting partnerships with Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast. Water
Planting the Seed for Future Water Scientists
Our Indigenous Schools team was recently in Dokis First Nation. During this program, students at Kikendawt Kinoomaadii Gamig went to visit their local water treatment
Read our latest update on the Internship Program.