Partnerships for safe water and strong communities.

Sustainable access to safe, clean water in Indigenous communities continues to be a pressing need in Canada. As of October 2023, 87 First Nations communities* across the country are affected by drinking water advisories – that’s 14% of communities that are facing this critical challenge.

Water First Education & Training Inc. is a charitable organization partnering with Indigenous communities to help address local water challenges through education, training and meaningful collaboration. To date, we have collaborated with more than 80 communities to support the training of future water treatment plant operators and water resource technicians and inspire a love of water science in youth.

Partnerships are at the heart of what we do. We work with community partners to identify their training needs and long-term water resource management goals. We then co-create interactive and learner-centred programs that strengthen a community’s capacity to help meet those goals and benefit the local community.

Together with all partners, including communities, donors, funders, staff, other organizations and individuals who share our goals, we are working towards safe water and strengthened communities. For now and for the long term.

Through education and training, the Water First program addresses a fundamental capacity issue related to water challenges in First Nations communities. With its focus on youth and young adults, Water First brings great opportunities to First Nations students while offering sustainability to future generations.

— Irving Leblanc, P. ENG., Special Advisor to the Assembly of First Nations