This story was part of the CIER Summer 2020 Newsletter. Sign-up here for more stories like this.
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Martin McLean from Lake Manitoba First Nation’s eventual goal is to encourage his community to start a recycling program. Right now, like in many First Nations across Canada, recyclables are thrown away and end up in a landfill. CIER’s Waste Warriors program helped Martin work towards achieving his goal, but the first step was education, awareness, and accountability about garbage and recycling in Lake Manitoba First Nation.Thanks to Indigenous filmmakers Code Breaker Films, you now have the opportunity to follow the journey of the Seventh Generation Waste Warriors. Join Martin and other passionate youth from First Nations across Manitoba as they learn about leadership, waste management, and collaboration.

Eight youth and eight young adults from four First Nations communities in Manitoba were selected to learn about solid waste management and diversion. Across multiple workshops, the youth were encouraged to design, plan, budget, and execute waste diversion projects in their own communities! Learn about what drew them to the project and even join them as they clean up the shores of Lake Winnipeg in Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation.

The youth come from Canupawakpa Dakota Nation, Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation, Lake Manitoba First Nation and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and each community hosted one of the workshops.

Want to learn more about the Waste Warriors program? Shianne McKay presented on the Waste Warriors program as part of Green Action Centre’s RISE webinar series. You can watch a recording of the webinar on YouTube.

You can also find more information and resources on the InnoWaste website.