Water First works in partnership with Indigenous communities to resolve local water challenges through education, training and collaboration.
Barry Ward of the Rotary Club of Kempenfelt (Barrie, ON) in District 7010, spoke to Stittsville Rotarians on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 about Water First, a charitable organization which focuses on the training of indigenous interns to maintain and operate water filtration plants in their communities. 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. The Water First Internship directly addresses this need by training young Indigenous adults for a career in water science. The internship is welcomed by Indigenous communities that view training and skill development as a key part of the solution to drinking water challenges.
Quick Facts:
* The Water First Internship [15-month] Program supports young Indigenous interns to become certified water treatment plant operators, ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water in Indigenous communities.
* By working in partnership with indigenous communities to hire and train locally, the program ensures that skills, knowledge and credentials stay in communities long after a project is completed.
* The program also provides support in resume-writing, employment coaching and networking opportunities. The provision of access to childcare services ensures the program works for a diverse set of participants.
* Young adults from eight First Nations communities have gone from intern to certified water operator. Water First focusses on both drinking water and environmental water concerns, as well as water science education for Indigenous youth K-12. (Manitoba, PQ, ON, Labrador)
Reference https://waterfirst.ngo for more information.