Taking school to the stream at Enviro Week, interns explored the importance of source water protection. Photo submitted Listen to article

Canada’s National Observer: Janelle Snache has always had a connection with water that she describes as a “blue state of mind.” Near water, she feels calmer. And when she needs to think through a big decision, she finds her clarity near water. 

Snache was studying to become an environmental technician when she was introduced to the topic of water treatment. Immediately, she was intrigued and she started asking around Rama First Nation, her community about 150 kilometres north of Toronto.

When a 15-month water operator internship popped up, Janelle jumped at the chance. She thought it would be a “great opportunity to have that spiritual connection with the scientific and hands-on practical connection to it as well,” she said in an interview. 

Snache was looking for a way to give back to her community by providing safe, clean water throughout her career. 

For a long time, southern Ontario First Nations have struggled with the lack of water operators, said Mary King, executive director of Ogemawahj Tribal Council, an organization that provides professional and technical support to six southern Ontario nations, including Georgina Island, Moose Deer Point, Alderville, Rama, Scugog Island, and Beausoleil.

It’s been a long road for the council. One of the communities, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, was under a boil water advisory for over a decade. In 2019, the First Nation finally received funding to build its water treatment plant. 

But for many First Nations, securing a treatment plant is only one hurdle. Finding experienced operators is another. 

The First Nation manager at Scugog Island approached King about Water First, a non-profit group working to address water challenges in Indigenous communities at the tribal council’s annual general meeting. King reached out to Water First, and they began working together to develop the 15-month drinking water internship. 

Ogemawahj Tribal Council wrote a proposal to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario, which was approved. This opened the door for eight interns to accumulate 1,800 hours of on-the-job experience, as well as four different certifications for water operators. All eight interns were successful in the program. 

But for many First Nations, securing a treatment plant is only one hurdle. Finding experienced operators is another.

“It was a huge, huge success,” she said, noting that some interns found employment in both First Nations and a municipality. “There’s all kinds of jobs for water operators at the moment.”

King said First Nations need water operators. In fact, some communities run their treatment plants with only one certified operator.

Sarah Jayne Kendall, community engagement director for Water First, said it’s important to train a new generation of water operators because historically, there haven’t been Indigenous Peoples in these roles.. And even when community members showed interest in water science, many had to leave for training, instead of gaining experience at home.

Internship programs like Water First develop the “skill sets to launch significant careers, but it’s also that dual role of acting as role models for what’s possible and needed,” Kendall said.

“We need our people and our roles in our communities.”

The water crisis in First Nation communities has lasted for decades. But since the Justin Trudeau government committed to providing clean drinking water on First Nations, 145 communities have had their boil water advisories lifted. However, 33 advisories remain. 

Building water treatment plants is one important step, but developing other infrastructure like piping, and hiring water operators is another essential step.

The needs of First Nations are not currently supervised by any regulatory body like a municipality. But Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, aims to change that by creating a regulatory pathway for them.  Many hope the act is passed before an election is called. 

“Water is at the centre of our community health. You don’t have to live on reserve to know that,” Kendall said. 

By Matteo Cimellaro Journalist

Matteo Cimellaro / Canada’s National Observer / Local Journalism Initiative