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Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, June 21, 2023, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day. It was first celebrated in 1996 and this is a day to recognize and celebrate the cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples from across Canada.

OMWA Executive Director, Ed Houghton reflects on an important person in his life who embraced and contributed to his Indigenous heritage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“On this important day, like every day, I will keep Geewadin Elliot of Neyaashiinigmiing in my mind and more importantly in my heart. Geewadin tragically started his journey to the spirit world much too early in his life on April 4, 2023. In this life, Geewadin was many things, Police Officer, Band Member and most recently the Manager, Indigenous Relations at Aecon Group but more importantly he was a natural born leader and he celebrated every aspect of his Indigenous Heritage and where possible followed the teachings of his hero, his late father, Arthur (Butch) Elliot.
I spent September 30th, 2022 Truth & Reconciliation Day with Geewadin learning and understanding the ways of our heritage. Geewadin wrote in a social media post the following:

Spent September 30 with my new found Uncle, my Dad’s bundle and powagan. We prayed together for healing and understanding on top of a bluff at Neyaashiinigmiing, my home. I don’t normally share ceremony on social media platforms like LinkedIn but this is not a normal day. Over the years I have shared my personal story with those who would benefit from it. If you know what it’s like to have a blanket for a door of sheets for window drapes then you most likely feel the real pain of today.
Grief killed many children forced into assimilation. The families that waited for them to return home, died from Grief. I hope everyone can understand why it matters to always include and speak the truth when reconciliation language is used. Indigenous people will lead the way but we cannot achieve reconciliation without including TRUTH!

 

On this day, June 21st, Summer Solstice, Geewadin I will remember what you taught me and will continue to embrace our Indigenous People.”

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Video: Remembering and Never Forgetting the Walkerton E. coli Tragedy

Video from the May 28 webinar is available for download here (MP4 format):

Download video (594mb)

Presenters: 

  • The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, formerly the Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and was appointed to oversee the inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy
  • James Smith, was Ontario’s First Chief Drinking Water Inspector, and as Assistant Deputy Minister, established the Drinking Water Management Division with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
  • Carl Kuhnke, was appointed the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre in 2017
  • Ed Houghton, Executive Director of the Ontario Municipal Water Association
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Webinar: Detecting & Monitoring Covid-19 Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE)

Detecting & Monitoring Covid-19 Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE)

You are invited to attend this interesting and exciting complimentary webinar, hosted by the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA).

WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 2020 – 11:00 A.M.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone responsible for the municipal water/wastewater services and who is interested in being involved in an exciting research project that can help your community through early detection and monitoring of wastewater for COVID-19. If you want to make a difference and participate in pilot-scale testing within your wastewater facilities to determine the feasibility of detecting OVID-19 signatures.

Continue reading “Webinar: Detecting & Monitoring Covid-19 Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE)”

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Webinar: Remembering and Never Forgetting the Walkerton E. coli Tragedy

“Remembering and Never Forgetting the Walkerton E. coli Tragedy”

You are invited to attend a complimentary webinar workshop, hosted by the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA).

WHEN: Thursday, May 28th, 2020 – 11:00 AM

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Everyone involved in the water industry. We must never forget the Walkerton outbreak and pay homage to those who suffered and to those who started us on the path to recovery. Whether you are a new recruit or have years of dedicated service, this is a must-attend webinar. A reflection on past and present.

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Overview

Today the news is consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is vitally important that we never forget past tragedies such as the Walkerton E. coli 0157 because they help prevent other similar reoccurrences.

In May of 2000, Southern Ontario experienced several days of heavy rain. Weeks later, the Town of Walkerton had changed forever. Seven people died and 2,300 others suffered life-long health implications after E. coli had entered Walkerton’s drinking water supply. A provincial inquiry followed and determined that it was a combination of factors that lead to the town’s water supply being contaminated. This tragedy changed Ontario’s water industry landscape for ever and has shaped the values and processes that we have today. But as we pass the 20th anniversary of Walkerton, it is not only a time to reflect on the lessons learned from the tragedy, but also a time to remember , and perhaps more importantly, a time to recommit as an industry, to ensuring that Ontario will continue to have the safest drinking water in the world. We owe it to those who lost their lives, and whose lives were changed forever in May of 2000.

Join us on Thursday, May 28th and hear from key figures involved with putting our water industry on the path to recovery and those who wish to keep the Walkerton teachings in the forefront. This is your opportunity to ask your questions about what actually happened in Walkerton or the systems put in place immediately following or its legacy, the Walkerton Clean Water Centre.

Presenters: 

  • The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, formerly the Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and was appointed to oversee the inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy
  • James Smith, was Ontario’s First Chief Drinking Water Inspector, and as Assistant Deputy Minister, established the Drinking Water Management Division with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
  • Carl Kuhnke, was appointed the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre in 2017
  • Ed Houghton, Executive Director of the Ontario Municipal Water Association

Registration:

Please register for this workshop using the following ZOOM link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X5DSiatwQ0S6lXATUau4iw

Once you have registered you will receive a confirmation email within 12 hours containing instructions for how to join the webinar.

Continue reading “Webinar: Remembering and Never Forgetting the Walkerton E. coli Tragedy”

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Free webinar: Management System Changes Anticipated Resulting from COVID-19

Management System Changes Anticipated Resulting from COVID-19

You are invited to attend a free webinar workshop, hosted by the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA).

WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2020 – 11:00 A.M.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This free webinar workshop is intended for management system representatives, compliance coordinators, members of top management, leadership team members, utility operators, and technical staff.

Continue reading “Free webinar: Management System Changes Anticipated Resulting from COVID-19”