Whitefish River First Nation wins fifth Water Challenge Cup title for best water in Ontario

WHITEFISH RIVER FIRST NATION—Water plant operator Mark Shawanda has taken home plenty of prizes for water quality in the decades he has worked for the Whitefish River First Nation in its water plants.
“We have won at least three of these annual awards as having the best water with the bands in Ontario,” said Chief Shining Turtle. “What that means is our operators care about water and are proud of the work that they do.” The chief noted that the community is also very proud of their staff and the work they do.
Standing watch over the community’s drinking water supply is a responsibility Mr. Shawanda has never taken lightly. In fact, when he first stepped into the job, the Walkerton water disaster was all over the news and he wasn’t at all sure he wanted to take on that role.
But he found security in doing things strictly by the book and keeping his credentials well up to speed. He said he was very aware of the importance of ensuring safe water to the community that he serves.
The Water Challenge Cup competition panel consists of four anonymous judges who judge the competitors on a series of exercises. “We had a lot of different things we had to do,” said Mr. Shawanda.
These days, Mr. Shawanda spends a lot of time at the water plant, assisted by Amy Waboose who has her water quality qualifications and will be writing her operator’s exam in the next couple of weeks and Gerry McGregor, Mr. Shawanda’s backup operator.
Soon there will be another cup to add to the collection atop the bookshelf in the water plant office—an ongoing tradition Mr. Shawanda and his colleagues intend to keep going.