|
Message from the Executive Director
|
|
Greetings Members and Supporters,
I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy the beautiful summer weather. Here at the office, we’ve been hard at work preparing for the upcoming conference, and we have some exciting news to share. As we bid farewell to a few of our board members, we’re now inviting applications from those interested in serving on the board and helping to shape the future of our organization.
|
|
|
If you or someone you know would be a dynamic leader for SFNWA, we encourage you to explore our board of directors' application process. With an incredible event planned for 2024, we’re looking forward to welcoming each of you in person this September.
All the best to you and yours,
Rebecca Zagozewski
|
|
|
Register for the Conference!
|
|
|
|
Register for the 2024 SFNWA AGM & Conference, happening from September 16-19. Earn CEUs. Listen to traditional wisdom from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Kendal Netmaker. Enjoy performances by Chester and Lancelot Knight and 2024 Canada's Got Talent Winner, Rebecca Strong. Ensure your voice is heard at the annual general meeting. If you are ready to level up, take an exam. Don’t miss this exceptional event—register now on our website!
|
|
|
Bring Your Ceremony Bundle
|
|
|
|
At the request of our members, we have added two types of water ceremonies and a sweat lodge to our 2024 Gathering. As you are packing for the conference, don't forget to add your sweat bundle, broadcloth, tobacco, and a shiny object.
|
|
|
Nominate Exceptional Operators
|
|
Do you know a hardworking First Nations water operator or operator-in-training who deserves recognition? This is a fantastic opportunity to honour those who demonstrate exceptional skill, commitment, and leadership in the service of providing water to a First Nation. We are now calling for nominations in the categories below. The deadline for nominations is August 23, 2024.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Hans Peterson Award
Up-and-Coming Operator Award
|
|
|
Have Your Voice Heard at the AGM
|
|
|
We want to hear from you at the AGM! Join us at the SFNWA Conference on September 18th to voice your opinions, ask questions and most importantly, vote.
We look forward to seeing you there.
|
|
|
Apply to Become a Board Member
|
|
|
|
Are you interested in guiding the progress of the SFNWA? Our Association is governed by a volunteer, 12-person Board of Directors who are First Nation and allied professionals working within and for First Nations communities. As part of a goal to strengthen the skills and diversity of the Board of Directors, we are implementing an application process for new board members.
Board members must adhere to certain policies and represent the SFNWA in a good way. Members must be certified to hold a board position. Board members understand that this is a volunteer position, with reimbursements provided for travel and other allowable costs.
Following the submission of your application, the current SFNWA Board will:
- Review all applications
- Conduct interviews with selected applicants
- Appoint successful applicants to the Board
- Newly appointed board members will be affirmed by the membership through a voting process at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September.
The deadline to apply is August 23rd. Apply here or on our website.
|
|
|
Registration Deadline for Exam Writing
|
|
|
Interested in writing an exam at our 2024 Conference?
Call the office at (306) 952-0402 and speak to Stacey for details on writing exams for Level 1 or 2 Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment, and Wastewater Collection. The deadline for registering to write an exam is August 20, 2024.
|
|
|
Best Tasting Water on a First Nation Throwdown!
|
|
|
Do you have the best-tasting water on a First Nation in Saskatchewan???
We sent out a glass water bottle to the Public Works Manager of each Nation in the province, along with an invitation to our conference. Grab your glass bottle, wash it, fill it with treated water from your tap and bring it to the conference to be evaluated by an impartial panel of judges. The winning water plant takes home a trophy, $1000 and bragging rights for the entire year.
|
|
|
About our Operator Certification Program
|
|
|
|
On-reserve water operators work hard to make clean water for their communities. We’ve heard from our members about some of their work-related needs, particularly the need to have more people certified to operate treatment plants. In response, we have developed a program to support OITs and prospective operators in successfully passing certification exams. This will include online and in-person training crafted specifically for First Nation learners and increasing the number of First Nation trainers to deliver this training. Find out more about the training, as well as other work related to this program, at our AGM this year.
|
|
|
|
Meet our Summer Student, Kaia Newman! Kaia is a proud member of the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan. She recently graduated from Aden Bowman Collegiate, where she was the proud recipient of the Canadian Scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association, the Elwood Harvey Leadership Award from Affinity Credit Union, the Valedictorian Scholarship from the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, and the Presidential Scholar Award from UBC. Kaia has been working with us throughout the summer as an Event Assistant to help with the conference. She has been registering members, engaging on social media, writing newsletters, and collecting door prizes throughout her time here. You can learn more about Kaia on our website!
|
|
|
|
