A new opportunity for Indigenous learners will allow them to begin environmental water training along with an education internship program.

The 15-month internship will see 10 participants from six communities take part in the initiative run through Water First in Ontario.

Lindsay Walker, a teacher with Crowther Memorial Junior High School in Strathmore hosted an awareness walk last month to highlight the water crisis that many Indigenous communities are facing.

She says this is a big step in the right direction.

"The more people who are trained in communities all over, including rural communities and reserves who can help get clean water, the better."

Allan Moffatt, Chief Executive Officer of Mamaweswen, of The North Shore Tribal Council says, “Interns will be out in the rivers on their traditional territories practicing environmental stewardship, monitoring fish habitats and water quality. This really fits in with many of our communities' long-term plans for environmental sustainability.”

According to Walker, how we get clean water is not necessarily something students think about, "I think that's a great career for students who are interested in science or technology or passionate about making a difference in local communities. I think there's a lot of avenues that students can get involved."

Walker told us the school plans to hold a similar walk in the future.