The National First Nations Water Management Award acknowledges people and groups who show extraordinary management beforehand safe drinking water and water stewardship in First Nations neighborhoods.
Honouring Water Management
Monica McColman
Water Treatment Center Group of Walpole Island First Country
Colin Peters, Joshua Schram, Jalen Fisher, Raven Kicknosway, Brooklin Sword, and Brayden Sands of the Walpole Island First Country Water Treatment Center Group are the receivers of the 2026 Group Water Management Award, acknowledged for their collective management and dedication to enhancing water management in their neighborhood.
ESTIMATES
Monica McColman
Chief Operating Officer, First Nations Technical Provider Advisory Group
Private Receiver of the 2026 National First Nations Water Management Award
” As water operators, we share a function that runs much deeper than the work itself. Together, we find out, grow, and depend upon one another to get rid of obstacles that couple of will ever witness. Behind the scenes, our devotion and attention to information silently keep our neighborhood safe. It’s a benefit– and a duty we accept pride– since safe water is among the purest presents we can offer.”
Colin Peters, Joshua Schram, Jalen Fisher, Raven Kicknosway, Brooklin Sword, and Brayden Sands
Walpole Island First Country Water Treatment Center Group
Group Receivers of the National First Nations Water Management Award
The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Provider
Quick realities
Associated links
Stay linked
Sign up with the discussion about Native Peoples in Canada:
You can register for get our press release and speeches by means of RSS feeds. For more details or to subscribe, go to www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.
SOURCE Indigenous Providers Canada
Market News and Data gave you by Benzinga APIs
To include Benzinga News as your favored source on Google, click on this link.
Beat the marketplace With Our Free Pre-Market Newsletter
Enter your e-mail to get Benzinga’s supreme early morning upgrade: The PreMarket Activity Newsletter
OTTAWA, UNCEDED ALGONQUIN ANISHINAABE AREA, ON, March 21, 2026 / CNW/ – Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Providers Canada, acknowledges the 2026 receivers of the National First Nations Water Management Award in both the private and group classifications: Monica McColman of Michel First Country in Alberta, and the Water Treatment Center Group of Walpole Island First Country in Ontario.
This year’s awards are particularly significant as they accompany National Indigenous Water Operator Day, which acknowledges the vital function Native water operators play in securing neighborhood health and supplying safe and trusted drinking water supply in First Nations neighborhoods. The day likewise highlights the significance of the occupation and the management that water operators show in supporting strong and durable neighborhoods.
Monica McColman, a happy member of the Michel First Country in Treaty 6 area and Chief Operating Officer initially Nations Technical Provider Advisory Group, is this year’s private recipient of the National First Nations Water Management Award. For more than 8 years, she has actually shown extraordinary management, development, and technical know-how in reinforcing operator capability and water supply dependability throughout Alberta.
Through her deal with the Circuit Rider Training Program, she supported the removal of long-lasting drinking water advisories, and her development of available training paths and tactical collaborations got rid of barriers to operator accreditation. Monica’s contributions to nationwide water governance, sector-wide efforts, public awareness, and youth education will continue to influence the next generation of water specialists while enhancing the security and sustainability of First Nations water supply.
Throughout 2 significant events in 2025, consisting of a hydrocarbon spill in the St. Clair River and a chemical spill triggered by a train derailment, the group triggered emergency situation procedures, increased water quality tracking, and worked carefully with local partners to secure the neighborhood’s water system. Utilizing innovative tracking innovation, proactive danger management, and clear interaction, they preserved public self-confidence while securing public health. Beyond emergency situation reaction, the group works together throughout regional departments, shares understanding through neighborhood and school trips, and regularly exceeds and beyond– typically working all the time– to supply safe, trusted drinking water for Walpole Island First Country.
” I am really honoured to get this award; being consisted of amongst this group of amazing winners is both humbling and deeply significant to me. My journey with Very first Nations Technical Providers Advisory Group Inc. (TSAG) and our Circuit Rider Training Program has actually opened doors I never ever envisioned– permitting me to bring imagination into how we support, reach, and develop capability with our water operators and students throughout lots of neighborhoods. Through this work, I have actually had the opportunity of being invited into Countries and into spaces with real water heroes– people whose devotion, strength, and understanding I gain from each and every day. They are the factor I understand this work is making a distinction and really altering lives.
This acknowledgment is not mine alone. It comes from my CRTP group, TSAG, the taking part Alberta First Nations, ISC Alberta Area, and all those who have actually supported and supplied assistance along the method. They offer me the chance to do what I enjoy– work together with neighborhoods to reinforce capability, share understanding, and assistance safe, sustainable water supply. In the end, this work has to do with assisting First Country neighborhoods grow, and I am deeply grateful to be part of that journey.”
” Congratulations to this year’s National First Nations Water Management Award receivers. Native water operators play a crucial function in securing the health and wellness of their neighborhoods by supporting safe and trusted drinking water supply. Today, we commemorate the devotion, management and know-how of these award receivers, and of water operators throughout the nation who assist develop more powerful Very first Countries neighborhoods.”
- The receivers will get a prize, and all candidates will get a pin developed by a Native business.
- 84 elections were gotten for the 2026 National First Nations Water Management Award, the greatest number to date.
- Candidates are Very first Countries people, neighborhood members or leaders, or First Nations companies, groups or neighborhoods.
- Elections are examined by an advisory committee of First Nations companies and previous winners.
- Indigenous Providers Canada operates in collaboration with Very first Countries to support trusted drinking water facilities, operator training and capability advancement.