Initiatives to support water operators

National Initiatives

• The Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP)
  A regionally-delivered program that provides on-site training and mentoring to operators of First Nations drinking water and wastewater systems.
• Water First Education & Training Inc.
  Internships that provide paid training in water operations for Indigenous youth.
• Water Movement
  A not-for-profit organization that seeks to bridge connections between Indigenous water operators and experts nation-wide through its online platform and resources, including a video learning library.
• Clan Mothers Turtle Lodge
  A pilot project with a holistic approach to water operator training including certification, work experience placements and holistic healing and support for trauma survivors.
• Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)
  Projects to engage and empower the role of Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people as water protectors, waterkeepers and water carriers through sharing circles, and amplify their voices and diverse experiences through a collective of online resources.
• RES'EAU Centre for Mobilization (now known as Community Circle)
  (All or some of the information on these webpages may only be available in a single official language) ISC supports RES’EAU to provide immersive learning and real-world training for water operators on potable water treatment, system design, and operation.
• INDSPIRE
  A national Indigenous registered charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. ISC funds bursaries to support Indigenous education including water operator certification training.

Regional water operator associations

Organizations that provide support at a regional level such as:

• Saskatchewan First Nations Water Association (SFNWA)
  SFNWA is a Saskatchewan-based not-for-profit that aims to create opportunities for education, training, networking and skills enhancement to the staff involved in the day-to-day operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems, including the establishment of formal First Nations water and wastewater certification programs.
• Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC)
  OFNTSC is a technical advisory service for 133 First Nations and 16 Tribal Councils in Ontario in areas of environment, engineering, fuel systems management, fire safety, housing, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and water and wastewater. ISC funds a variety of programs for OFNTSC in support of water operator certification and infrastructure operations, including their Technical Youth Career Outreach Program.
• OFNTSC's Technical Youth Career Outreach Program (TYCOP)
  This outreach program spotlights Indigenous role models, offers mentorship, and promotes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers for Indigenous youth and women.
• First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group (TSAG)
  TSAG provides technical services and training to First Nations in Alberta in the areas of Circuit Rider Training, asset management, environmental management, housing, rural addressing, fire safety, information technology and virtual healthcare. ISC funds a variety of programs for TSAG including Circuit Rider Training.
• Regional CRTP hubs (Ontario only)
  Ontario's "Hub and Spoke" water governance model provides participating communities with hands-on support, technical assistance and 24/7 access to an Overall Responsible Operator.

First Nations and First Nations Tribal Councils

ISC has provided funding to the following First Nations and First Nations Tribal Councils for various training initiatives to support water and wastewater operators:

• Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations
  ISC helped fund a training and outreach program for water operator certification.
• Cat Lake First Nation
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program.
• Windigo First Nation Council
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program that included Cat Lake First Nation and Slate Falls First Nation.
• Kingfisher Lake First Nation
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program.
• File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council
  ISC funded the development of an integrative youth internship program.
• Prince Albert Grand Council
  ISC supported the development of an internship program for two interns with Prince Albert Grand Council's Circuit Rider Trainers.
• Slate Falls Nation
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program.
• Mamaweswen North Shore Tribal Council
  ISC funded a maintenance training workshop.
• Nishnawbe Aski Nations
  ISC provided investments for water education fairs and youth engagement in 4 communities.
• Wunnumin Lake First Nation
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program.
• Shibogama First Nations Council
  ISC supported a community-lead source water protection and planning program that included Kingfisher Lake First Nation and Wunnumin Lake First Nation.
• Sucker Creek First Nation
  ISC provided investments that contributed to the creation of a 15-month paid internship that incorporates traditional knowledge, water science and operator certification.
• Tataskweyak Cree Nation
  ISC funded the development of water and wastewater system management plans.
• Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
  ISC promoted the creation of community-based water initiatives including workshops, materials and videos.
• Regroupement Mamit Innuat (not available in English)
  ISC funded operations and maintenance training for First Nations public works managers and administrators, as well as the creation of preventative maintenance training videos for operators.
• Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation
  ISC provided funding for outreach, a sodium treatability pilot study and a septage lagoon assessment.
• Nekaneet First Nation
  ISC funded multiple capacity projects including ceremonies, succession planning, student outreach projects and a youth symposium.
• Lac Seul First Nation
  ISC provided funding for 3 water treatment plants and community workshops.