June 19, Montreal, QC — AquaAction is partnering with the Roots of Resilience Charter School to pilot and test drive materials developed for its Water Literacy Project, a first-of-its-kind national education and awareness initiative designed to create a generation of informed and empowered water stewards.
Developed in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Water Literacy Project aims to equip leaners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand freshwater systems, take meaningful action, and inspire careers in water technologies.
As the official “AquaHeroes” pilot partner, Roots of Resilience Charter School will play a central role in testing and refining the project’s Water Literacy Action Packs and learning materials in real-world educational settings. This collaboration will ensure that the tools are practical and culturally grounded.
“Water literacy is foundational to climate resilience and community well-being,” said Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction. “Through this partnership, we are ensuring that the voices and experiences of youth, and the educators who support them, are embedded in the design of a program that will serve communities across Canada.”
Rooted in community, culture, and connection, Roots of Resilience Charter School brings deep expertise in integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach. This perspective will guide the co-development and refinement of project materials, ensuring they reflect respect for local knowledge, emphasize stewardship and reciprocity, and avoid tokenistic inclusion of Indigenous perspectives.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empowering young people as leaders,” said Charlene Bearhead, Founder and Principal, Roots of Resilience Charter School. “When young people are trusted with responsibility, supported by community, and connected to real pathways in water innovation, they rise as leaders.”
Youth Leadership and Pathways to Innovation
A big part of the partnership is giving young people real chances to lead. Learners in the pilot will get exposure through AquaAction’s national platforms and could connect with programs like AquaHacking and AquaEntrepreneur, opening doors to opportunities in water innovation, entrepreneurship, and hands-on science.
“Water literacy is not just about education, it’s about enabling youth to see themselves as part of the solution,” added Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction. “This partnership helps build clear, supported pathways into Canada’s growing water innovation ecosystem.”
About Roots of Resilience Charter School
Roots of Resilience Charter School provides a safe, caring, nurturing and inspiring Indigenous learning environment where students see themselves and their culture reflected in all aspects of their education and school experience. Their vision is for students to reach their potential through learning in an environment where relationship, understanding, respect and connection are the basis of student holistic wellbeing - Indigenous worldview - resulting in success and fulfillment in school and beyond. Their mission is to instill confidence, respect and a strong sense of identity in students that enables them to a develop the knowledge, skills and character necessary to carry them in a good way as they walk in two worlds.
About AquaAction
At AquaAction, we develop leaders to protect and restore our most vital resource: freshwater. We empower people, from young innovators to community advocates, to protect and restore freshwater through innovation, advocacy, and conservation. By supporting entrepreneurship, advancing education and awareness, and driving policy change, we help communities build resilience and ensure access to clean water for generations to come. Our mission is simple yet profound: a generation of leaders safeguarding freshwater for the health of people and the planet.
Contact
Oliver Anderson
Vice President, Communications and Growth
AquaAction
oliver.Anderson@aquaaction.org
Media Contact
Charlene Bearhead
Principal and Founder
Roots of Resilience Charter School
cbearhead@rootsed.ca
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