Even though Canada has one of the world’s largest freshwater reserves, not everyone has access to them. While many people can drink their tap water without a second thought, others need to stay alert as it may be contaminated. This, sadly, is the reality for many First Nation communities.
About a seventh of them do not have access to clean drinking water in Canada. Even in Ontario, 32% of First Nation families have been under a long-term boil water advisory for many years, reasons being industrial waste contamination, lack of filtration systems, or other complications that prevent a sustainable water source for these families. They are often left with no choice but to consume polluted water. Consequently, this poses a detrimental health issue that impacts generations.
Human rights are being violated, yet why is nothing being done about it?
There is one Ontario organization that is determined to act. Water First is a Canadian charity that was formed in 2009. Originally called Tin Roof Global, they aimed to bring drinking water to rural Uganda. Though they decided later on that here in Canada, water challenges were prevalent and needed to be addressed. Since 2012, the organization has changed their name to Water First Education & Training. Their mission now is to help address local water challenges in Indigenous communities through education, training, and meaningful collaboration.
We met up with Jen Atkinson from Water First. Having sixteen years of experience in the environmental and non-profit sector, Jen has been working with Water First for more than a year and a half. She leads the three programs in the youth domain sector: the drinking water internship, the water science educational program in the communities, and the environmental water program. She emphasizes that she always “helps the [Water First] students [to] see the bigger picture.”
Jen aims to bring more young people into the field of water science in hopes that they will gain the autonomy to help their own communities and confront water challenges. After all, it is not only about what people can do now, it is also about educating younger students to be the future leaders of the next generation. Her drive to educate and build connections with young adults are among many characteristics we have noticed from a brief talk with her. Jen Atkinson’s drive is certainly inspirational.
Bimose Tribal Council Internship
The largest project that Jen and her team are managing is in the Bimose Tribal Council in far northwestern Ontario. Here, 1 or 2 interns are participating from each of the 9 member communities and undergo drinking water operator and environmental training for 18 months. These interns plan to carry on with their mission to resolve various environmental issues and run the water treatment systems in their communities. Not to mention, a sense of community and belonging is ever so present in the group picture below.
Jamie Lee
Jamie Lee is one of the interns at Water First. As a young mom of three, she has very little time on her hands but maintains her curiosity and excitement for science. This led her to test the water on the beaches where she used to take her kids swimming. Under the microscope, she saw parasites swimming in the water where her kids used to play. Surprised and disgusted, she swore to never take them there again.
What can you do?
The problems with water scarcity and contamination may appear as distant issues but I assure you they are much closer to home. Make the switch from disposable to reusable water bottles, turn off the tap and the lights when you are not using them, and continue learning and advocating for what you believe in. You have an impact on the environment around you and these small changes will accumulate. As Jen says, “youth are not powerless”. We, as architecture students or not, will be the generation that promotes change for the better; for our future and beyond.
For those of you who want to make that first small step, feel free to donate here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/first-we-run/.
If you are eager to learn more about Water First’s mission and their tight-knit team, see here: https://waterfirst.ngo/
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