New Indigenous Graduates Ready for Careers in Clean Water

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Defence Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Defence Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Defence Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeGlobeNewswireThis section is The content in this section is supplied by GlobeNewswire for the purposes of distributing press releases on behalf of its clients. Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire New Indigenous Graduates Ready for Careers in Clean WaterAuthor of the article:A Drinking Water Intern works with a Water First trainer during a field lesson. GNW Water First program sees 11 Indigenous adults become certified water operatorsTHIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountTORONTO, Oct. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Water First’s latest class of Drinking Water Interns are now certified water operators, after completing 15 months of hands-on training.The internship, a collaboration between Water First Education & Training Inc. and eight participating First Nations from southern Ontario, began in July, 2025 and culminated in a graduation ceremony this month in Rama First Nation, near Orillia Ontario.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Krysta Wordock, a Project Manager and Instructor with Water First worked with the eleven interns as well as two independent Indigenous participants throughout their internship.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“This group of Interns was phenomenal and worked so hard! In total over 50 licenses were achieved in areas like Small Systems, Drinking Operator in Training, Wastewater Operator in Training and Drinking Water Treatment Class 1. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication each one contributed to the group, and it was amazing to see that these Interns created their own tight knit community.”The 15-month program sees each graduate completing more than 2,000 hours of hands-on training and writing four exams necessary to earn Water Operator certification.To date, 84 interns from 54 Indigenous communities have graduated from Internship programs and logged approximately over 190,000 hours working in local water plants and attending workshops.Image caption: Water First Drinking Water Interns from the Southern Ontario Internship celebrate their graduation as Class 1 Water OperatorsThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities continues to be a critical issue. In Canada, 21% of First Nations are affected by a drinking water advisory and that number rises to 32% in Ontario. The challenges are complex and layered. Communities may face issues relating to infrastructure, source water quality, or people to manage water systems – or more than one of these issues at a time. Water First works with Indigenous communities that have identified education and training like the Drinking Water Internship as part of their solution to the water crisis.Chris Wemigwans is a 2018 graduate of Water First and the lead Water Operator in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. During the internship, he mentored an intern and reflected on the importance of sharing his knowledge – and the responsibilities of the job.“This is a hard job to do on your own, and having a partner means you can share the workload. And I trained my intern the same way I was trained. So I know I have someone here I can trust and rely on.”Image caption: Water First alumnus Chris Wemigwans shares his expertise with a Southern Ontario Intern at the water treatment plant Chris now operates.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The training interns receive can lead to work in both drinking water treatment, and environmental water careers. Graduates of the program become part of the Water First Alumni Network, with access to continuing career development and education opportunities, as well as an ever-expanding professional network.“This has been a really impressive group,” offers John Millar, Founder and Executive Director of Water First. “They did the hard work every day, showing up for themselves, their community and their fellow interns. It’s been a privilege for us to get to know everyone in this cohort, and we wish them nothing but further success in their careers.”Image caption: A Drinking Water Intern works with a Water First trainer during a field lesson.Says Wemigwans, “It gives me peace of mind to see that there are water operators in so many more communities now because of the Water First internships. I know that where the program goes, there will be water operators. You can’t go wrong with a program like that.”The eight communities that participated in the Southern Ontario Internship were:Alderville First Nation Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Curve Lake First Nation Mohawks of the Bay of QuinteNipissing First Nation Shawanaga First Nation Walpole Island First NationThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The Water First Southern Ontario Internship was funded through Indigenous Services Canada, and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training, together with the support of Water First’s donors. This collaboration supports local, technical capacity and autonomy in the water management field for today and for generations to come.About Water First Education & Training Inc. (Water First): Water First is a registered Canadian charity that works alongside Indigenous communities to address water challenges through education, training, and meaningful collaboration. Since 2009, Water First has collaborated with more than 100 Indigenous communities located in the lands now known as Canada while supporting Indigenous youth and young adults to pursue careers in water science. Learn more: www.waterfirst.ngo.High-resolution photos and logos available here.For more information, please contact: Ami GopalDirector of Development and Communications Water First 1-800-970-8467 ext. 106 ami.gopal@waterfirst.ngo Photos accompanying this announcement are available at This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.