Pillars

The CREATE H2O program includes five pillars offering in-depth training.

Within each of these pillars, there are many options from which students may choose. For each student accepted into the program, the pillar requirements are tailored to the student’s educational background, degree course requirements, and the focus area the student wishes to pursue in First Nations water and sanitation security.

Each student accepted into the program is assigned two professors who will act as mentors. Along with the CREATE H2O program co-ordinator, these professors will assist students in designing the pillar structure and activities that best match each student’s career path and goals.

Students accepted into the program will receive financial support consisting of a stipend and travel awards.

DESIGNING YOUR PROGRAM TO OBTAIN A CO-CURRICULAR RECORD IN FIRST NATIONS WATER AND SANITATION SECURITY

Undergraduate students must choose between a relevant research-based project (Pillar 1) and a professional work term (Pillar 5). In addition, undergraduate students are required to complete 8 portfolio units across at least two of the other three program pillars before you graduate. Graduate students are required to conduct research on water or sanitation security that leads to a thesis that meets the criteria of their graduate degree program (Pillar 1). In addition, graduate students are required to accumulate 22 portfolio units across at least three of the other four program pillars by the time they graduate.

Pillar	Main Task	Notes
Pillar 1 - Research project and dissemination in collaboration with one or more First Nation communities.	Undergraduate Students will often complete a summer research internship Graduate Students Required thesis or dissertation	All students will be required to present work at the annual summer CREATE H2O conference. (The first one in June 2014 will be at the University of Manitoba.)
Pillar 2 – Water sciences and wastewater systems knowledge	Courses, workshops, conference presentations	Courses already completed by students as part of their degree program may qualify. See approved undergraduate and graduate courses and workshops. Graduate students may take undergrad courses, if approved by their supervisor. There may also be opportunities to participate in specialized instruction, for example, specialized lab training, including through assisting other H2O participants with their lab work.
Pillar 3 – Indigenous theory, law and methodology skills	Courses, workshops, conference presentations	Courses already completed by students as part of their degree program may qualify. See approved and graduate courses and workshops.
Pillar 4 – Professional development and leadership training	Consists of courses, workshops & outreach activities	Workshops may include those offered by: GradSteps Career Services Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning Those developed by the CREATE H2O program These may include Critical, creative and strategic thinking; teamwork and stakeholder relationship building. Research and professional ethics; oral and cross-cultural communications. Scholarship and grant proposal writing; project management; work-life balance. Scientific writing, popular writing and mass-media relations. Intellectual property and technology transfer. Trainees are expected to inform the program coordinator of other workshops they are interested in participating in to earn portfolio units. Examples of outreach activities: Mentoring First Nations high school students in science and engineering, including through the Verna Kirkness Education Foundation and WISE Kid-Netic Energy. Assisting a First Nation to write a funding proposal for a water or wastewater project. Volunteering at the annual Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre science fair in Winnipeg, where hundreds of First Nations students participate. Host tours of university science labs, where First Nations youth can observe and participate in experiments and demonstrations. Act as role models to Indigenous undergraduate students, encouraging students to pursue specialization in science and engineering. Being an active member of a related student group. Volunteer at Inner City schools science labs etc.
Pillar 5 – Professional work terms and internships	Trainee, academic supervisors and firms providing the work term will determine the details	Terms from one to four months may be available with: Tribal Councils Napier Reid Neegan Burnside First Nations organizations, including AMC and AFN Non-governmental organizations such as IISSD Work terms to be coordinated by Program Coordinator

AN EXAMPLE OF AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ENROLLED IN THE CREATE H2O PROGRAM

Summer research project under the leadership of professors at the University of Manitoba or Trent University (pillar 1)
One three-credit-hour science course from approved list (pillar 2): 3 units
One non-science course from approved list (pillar 3): 3 units
Present H2O research at Indigenous knowledge conference (pillar 3): 1 unit
Volunteer two days with science mentorship program (pillar 4): 1 unit
Total: 8 units on top of research project will provide the student with a co-curricular record in First Nations Water and Sanitation Security, in addition to the student’s undergraduate degree.

AN EXAMPLE OF A GRADUATE STUDENT ENROLLED IN THE CREATE H2O PROGRAM

Research thesis under the leadership of professors at the University of Manitoba or Trent University
Two science courses from approved list (pillar 2): 3X2 = 6 units
One non-science course from approved list (pillar 3): 3 units
Present H2O research at conference (pillar 2 or 3): 1 unit
Participate in four half-day professional skills workshops such as grant writing and intellectual property (pillar 4): 1 unit
Volunteer two days with science mentorship program (pillar 4): 1 unit
On organizing committee for annual H2O conference (pillar 4): 2 units
Summer internship with consulting firm (pillar 5): 8 units
Total: 22 units on top of thesis project will provide the student with a co-curricular record in First Nations Water and Sanitation Security, in addition to the student’s graduate degree.

(See this student's sample spreadsheet showing calculation of pillar units and approval signature slots.)

Note that these are general examples. Each student’s background will be assessed by supervisors at the start of the program to design a specific set of unit requirements that will complement the student’s strengths. For example, students without extensive First Nations experience may require more Indigenous knowledge training, while those with a natural resources background may benefit from exposure to engineering methods. Pillar plans are subject to approval by the H2O steering committee.