STRONG COMMUNITIES. SAFE, CLEAN WATER.

AFN National Water Symposium and Tradeshow

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Our Mandate:

Water First works together with First Nations communities to resolve local water challenges

Education, training and meaningful collaboration.

Water First has collaborated with numerous and diverse First Nations in Ontario, Quebec and Labrador on education and training projects.

Water First InternshipMnidoo Mnising Partnership

Pilot Project

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Water First InternshipCommunities

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Zhiibaahaasing

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Internship Offers:

• Skills training

• Certification

• Employment experience

• Professional networks

All in water treatment and environmental water quality monitoring

Program:

Water First Internship

Goal:To support young First Nations adults to join the water science field.

• Includes concepts related to environmental water and drinking water;

• Increase female representation.

Close collaboration and adaptations at community level.

Represent Indigenous values, customs and traditions in the trainings.

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Internship Offers:

Skills Training

Certification

Employment Experience

Professional Networks

All in water treatment and environmental water quality monitoring

Goals

Main deliverable (as defined by participating communities):• Support young First Nations adults to join water science field • 60% full-time employment or school

• WQA certification – 1800 hours

• Include concepts related to both environmental water and drinking water

• Increase female representation: 30%

• Collaboration and adaptations at community level

• Represent Indigenous values, customs and traditions in trainings.6

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Internship Model:Skills Training

5 proposed (ended up with 7) hands on week long skills workshops

- Introduction- WQA- Employment and

Education Skills- Mapping and TEK- Environmental

Sampling

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Internship Model:Work Experience

Participants work in their home community’s water treatment plant over 15 months:

Supervised by their local water treatment plant operator(s)

Learning the tools of the trade

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Internship Model:Local Knowledge and Perspectives

Traditional EnvironmentalKnowledge (TEK)integrated throughout program.

Local Elders, knowledge keepers and experts weaving local knowledge together with Indigenous and western science.

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Internship Model:Intern Support

Support our interns every step of the way

• Custom tutoring• Daycare support• Cell Phone

allowances• Laptops

One on one contact with Local Coordinator and Water First staff

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Internship Model:Adaptability

Interns provided feedback throughout and we adapted to their needs

Extra field work (intake project)

Added two additional workshops- WQA round 2- OIT

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Internship Model:Extra Opportunities

Entry Level Course for Drinking Water Operators

Source Water Protection Training through OFNTSC

AWWAO conferenceOFNTSC conference

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Internship Model:Employment

Networking with other Operators/scientists

Certification leading to WTP employment

Future employment opportunities: source water protection, environmental monitoring

Graduating Class

Personal Experience - Naomi

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Personal Experience - Naomi

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Personal Experience - Naomi

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Internship Results:

Increased female participation in water science (40% of Interns are women)

Increased employability in water field

Increased local skill pool in water sciences

Opportunities for further study

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Internship Results:Certification8 Water Quality Analyst certifications

7 Operator-in-Training certifications

5 completed source water protection plan trainings

10 Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators

Everyone completed >1,800 hours work experience at their local water treatment plants.

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Internship Results:Confidence and other skills

Confidence in Water Quality Knowledge and Application increased from 37% to 95%

Confidence in Field skills increased from 32% to 99%

Confidence in Professional Skills increased from 50% to 86%

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Internship Results:Where are they now?

• 4 operators at their local community water treatment plants

• 1 operator with the Ontario Clean Water Agency

• 3 working for a local First Nation and Tribal Council in environmental field;

• 1 in college

• 1 actively applying for work as an operator.

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Internship Results:Continuing training

• 3 completed additional Level 1 Operator exams for water treatment and distribution

• 1 additional completed OIT and another attempted last week

• 1 competed GED shortly after program ended

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Internship Model:Continued Support

Alumni Network

Supports interns while transitioning out of internship

Supports the program with adaptations and feedback

• Monthly stipends• Conference calls• Surveys• Professional

Development Fund

Personal Experience

Testimonials• What would you say to other interns:– The program is great and helps provide knowledge on Water and its

qualities on life and more. If you have any questions to just ask because they be answered.

– Do it man, probably going to be the best decision you've made thus far. You will meet a second family you never knew you had. Good luck !

– Absorb as much true knowledge and magical moments as possiblegood luck. pay attention and have a good time. learn all you can and just do your best

– Embrace the Cultural side of the program, it's a great experience. Take part in ceremony and most importantly - study smart, not hard!

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Moving Forward…

Expanding the Internship to work with additional Tribal Councils/Hubs.

Addressing drinking water challenges.

Supporting environmental water quality monitoring.

Working together to build local capacity and address community priorities

Supporting operators

Sustainable results

Water First acknowledges that our office lies within the traditional territory of the Petun and the Anishnaabeg, which consist of the Odawa, Ojibwe, and the Pottawatomi nations. Water First is located on the territory covered by Lake Simcoe-Nottawasaga Treaty No. 18, of 1818.

info@waterfirst.ngo

1-800-970-8467

www.waterfirst.ngoCharitable Registration No: 83852 5269 RR0001

Thank You! Miigwetch!

Questions?