This week, the Great Waters Challenge re-launched. An online, Canada-wide game engaging youth and schools in water celebrations, the Great Waters Challenge inspires youth to uncover water stories in their community, showcasing how Canada’s identity is connected to our great waters.
The challenge was developed by Waterlution and is supported by the Government of Canada. Today, Waterlution welcomes its second cohort of eighteen volunteer youth advisors from across Canada to support the challenge. Waterlution is thrilled to harness their individual and collective capacity to be water leaders and stewards of the Canada’s water future.
“The Government of Canada is proud to invest in this new project and encourage young Canadians across the country to become active and engaged citizens,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The innovative and inspiring Great Waters Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to take part in the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.”
The advisory board members represent nineteen communities from seven provinces and one territory. They were selected to develop Great Waters Challenge partnerships, inspire participation from youth in their regions, and host water workshops at participating schools.
| Avery Deboer-Smith, Nelson, BC
Breda Muldoon, Edmonton, AB Catherine Thompson, Antigonish, NS Dana Mears, Halifax, NS Dorothy Graham, Lethbridge AB Ellen Stitt, Seagrave ON |
Faris Mecklai, Hamilton, ON
Jill Pelkey, Fredericton, NB Julie Segal, Montreal, QC Krista Magee, Ottawa, ON Lena Beckley, Halifax, NS Maria-Rose Sikyea (Geiger), Yellowknife NWT |
Mark Christian, Nanaimo, BC
Megan Kot, Victoria, BC Nicholas Damer, St. John’s, NL Olivier Saint-Jean Rondeau, Sherbrooke, QC Owais Ghory, Surrey, BC Stephanie Woodworth, Toronto, ON |
“By connecting and sharing the stories and history of our waterways, youth can play a pivotal role in increasing the water I.Q. of Canadians and directing their own water future” said Karen Kun, Waterlution executive director and co-founder.
Teachers of grade 4–12 and leaders of youth groups (ages 8-18), living in a Canadian province or territory are encouraged to sign up their classes or teams at http://waterlution.org/GWC/. Registration closes October 16th, 2017, and then it’s game on! Teams are eligible to win exciting prizes from partners, such as The Water Brothers, Vancouver Aquarium, Clean Drinking Water Foundation, and field trips from locally-based environmental organisations.
“Taking part in the Great Waters Challenge has been a great experience for our class. We have gained a better understanding of how important it is to learn about the heritage and history of our waterways and how it has changed over time,” said the Cawthra Park Secondary School Great Waters Challenge team. “We realize how vitally important it is to be stewards of our watersheds, our lakes, our streams- our home. We have hope for the future but know that we need to actively be part of the the solution.”
More information about Waterlution and its programing is available on the organization’s website.
