Janelle Snache says she couldn’t resist the opportunity to join the drinking water system operator internship offered by Water First Education & Training Inc. in her home community of Rama First Nation in Orillia, Ontario.
After spending nine years away, she was eager to combine her passion for environmental science with a career that would benefit her community. Now, after completing the 15-month program, Snache and seven other interns from Ogemawahj Tribal Council (OTC) communities are celebrating their graduation as certified water operators.
“I loved collaborating with the other interns,” Snache said in an announcement from Water First. “We learned so much about the importance of water and how to protect it. I’ll carry that knowledge into my career and use it to make a difference.”
Water First’s internship is a paid program designed to recruit Indigenous adults into the drinking water field, helping them obtain the entry-level certifications required for careers in water treatment. The program also addresses a critical need in communities by training local personnel to ensure long-term access to safe, clean drinking water.
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Throughout the internship, participants gained 1,800 hours of hands-on experience in water treatment plants, a requirement for the Water Operator in Training (OIT) certification. They also completed additional certification exams, such as the Water Quality Analyst and the Entry-Level Drinking Water Operator courses, while receiving training in environmental fields like GIS and water sampling.
Paxton King, another graduate from Rama First Nation, reflected on the program’s impact: “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. Water First provided the best education I’ve ever had, and I’m excited to put my skills to work.”
Following graduation, interns join the Water First Alumni Network, which offers ongoing professional development and peer support to help them succeed in their careers.
The OTC Drinking Water Internship began in July 2023, marking the fourth cohort since the program’s launch in 2018. Water First recently expanded the program beyond Ontario, partnering with the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council in Manitoba. Additionally, the organization introduced an Environmental Water Internship that trains interns in water quality, environmental data, and fish conservation.
Access to safe, clean drinking water remains a critical issue for many Indigenous communities in Canada. Currently, 13% of First Nations communities are affected by drinking water advisories, with the number rising to 25% in Ontario.
