Zhiibaahaasing First Nation water operator wins national leadership award

A water operator in an Ontario First Nation is being nationally recognized for his hard work and dedication to his community. 

Jonathan Riberdy has been awarded the 2021 National First Nations Water Leadership Award for his work to make safe and clean drinking water a reality for Zhiibaahaasing First Nation in Ontario. The water leadership award was created in 2018 by Indigenous Services Canada.  

Originally from Temagami First Nation, Riberdy, who is Algonquin, has lived and worked in Zhiibaahaasing for about 12 years. The community has been under a boil water advisory since 1992 and is currently using a temporary water plant in a sea can after damage to its water plant last year. 

Riberdy is nearly finished his training as the water plant supervisor after being asked by the community to take the job six years ago. Along with his training as a water operator, Riberdy also has training to drive heavy machinery and has a transportation licence. He is also the project manager for Swim Drink Fish Canada, and a director for the Aboriginal Water and Wastewater Association of Ontario. 

He said he is honoured for the recognition of his work. 

"I'm really humbled, to be honest," said Riberdy. 

"I follow the seven grandfather teachings. I have a lot of humility. I am very excited, and very happy that someone recognized the work that I'm doing." 

Zhiibaahaasing First Nation has been granted $2.9 million from the Green Infrastructure stream, a part of the joint federal and provincial Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to help cost-share with the government for a new system and to lift the boil water advisory, Riberdy said. 

"That's something we're fighting to get off of right now, so that we can get a proper water treatment plant and distribution system. We're moving in the right direction with ISC right now," he said. 

"I have high hopes that we're going to get the money that we deserve, and build the system that we need. If we work as a team, we'll be good."

Members of Riberdy's community say their water is in good hands.

"We're super proud of him," said band manager Bobbi-Sue Kells-Riberdy. 

"We're glad that he's our water operator, because he's taken his own time to ensure we do have clean drinking water. He's put in countless hours of overtime that he's never been compensated for."

Zhiibaahaasing First Nation chief Chief Irene Kells said Riberdy is a hard worker.