Meet the teenager who solved his First Nation’s drinking water problems

A 19-year-old from North Spirit Lake First Nation is the key to solving a boil water advisory in place in his community for nearly as long as he has been alive. The remote First Nation, about 800 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, has been under a boil water advisory for 14 years. Now, a unique program spearheaded by the Northern Chiefs Council (Keewatinook Okimakanak), is allowing people like Quentin Rae to take the initiative and the responsibility for providing clean water in their own communities.

“I have to take care of the plant, make sure chlorine gets in the water to clean the bacteria,” said Rae with a smile during his first week on the job at the end of April. “I just graduated last year and they gave me the job.” The high school diploma is the prerequisite for the training provided by Northern Chiefs Council that will provide Rae with his operator certificate. Once the water plant in North Spirit Lake has a certified operator, the boil water advisory can be lifted. But the program goes beyond the training. “The supports have to be there,” said Barry Strachan, the council’s public works manager. “You think about […]

Full article: Meet the teenager who solved his First Nation’s drinking water problems