A Saskatchewan man is this year’s winner of the National First Nations Water Leadership Award. Deon Hassler is a First Nations military veteran and former water operator at Carry the Kettle First Nation. Hassler has shared his knowledge and expertise with other First Nation communities for the past five years. He is part of a team of people – known as Circuit Riders – who travel to First Nation’s communities, training the people responsible for operating, monitoring, and maintaining drinking water and wastewater systems. He also assists operators in obtaining and maintaining their certification, and he advises chiefs and councils. His latest work has been to advocate for the creation of a Saskatchewan Operators Association of the First Nations water and wastewater operators.