Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s $500,000 gift trains Indigenous water operators

In 2022, celebrity couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively made a significant donation of $500,000 to Water First, a Canadian charity dedicated to working with Indigenous communities on water education and training initiatives. This donation aimed to support the development of trained water operators and technicians within Indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of local expertise in managing water systems.

Four years later, in May 2026, Water First celebrated a major milestone: eight Indigenous trainees had graduated from a 15-month program and earned the title of certified water operators. These graduates had completed over 2,000 hours of hands-on training and successfully passed the required certification exams. The program was a collaboration between Water First, the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council, participating communities, and Big Island First Nation.

The training provided to these eight new operators not only equipped them for careers in water treatment and related environmental fields but also empowered their respective communities, especially in areas where local residents are needed to operate and maintain water facilities. One graduate, Brandon Penner from Big Grassy First Nation, emphasized the program's impact on his personal growth and his commitment to protecting the natural world for future generations.

Water First's approach involves partnerships built on collaboration with Indigenous communities, where local leaders help identify needs and shape the training programs. This method acknowledges that the challenges faced by different water systems may vary, and a one-size-fits-all solution is not effective. The charity emphasizes that training is just one part of the solution, as communities may also require infrastructure improvements, source-water protection, and sustained funding.

Despite persistent drinking-water concerns in Indigenous communities across Canada, with 16% of First Nations affected by a drinking-water advisory, Water First frames its internship alumni as part of a growing network that can access continuing career development and education. The charity sees training as a long-term strategy to help communities build the skills and knowledge needed to manage water systems effectively and respond to ongoing challenges.