OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - 25

Cover

Wesley Bova, P.Eng.,
is one of us.
He's an OSPE member who is helping to develop and maintain
infrastructure in remote First Nations communities. His work
is inspirational. Much of what he does focuses on establishing
systems and advising on policy decisions around clean drinking
water, which as he notes, is the foundation for building healthy
communities, particularly in remote areas of the province.

WESLEY
BOVA,
P.Eng.

OSPE: Why did you choose engineering as a career?

Head of Technical
Services, Matawa First
Nations Management

WES: I was always interested in math and science growing up.
I'm Mohawk and my Dad was in iron work, and so I saw things
being built all the time. I was always interested in how things
work, how to build things and how to fix them - problem solving.

Working tirelessly
to help communities
like Neskantaga First
Nations

OSPE: What do you find rewarding about your work?
WES: When I moved to Thunder Bay I saw first hand the
conditions of First Nations communities, particularly in the
remote north, and I got a real appreciation of what needs to
be done. It made me thankful for my career and the help I
can offer to make things better. I'm currently president of the
board of directors of Ontario First Nations Technical Services
Corporation, which represents all First Nations across Ontario.
It gives me a much wider lens and valuable experience in
dealing with the issues that are pretty rampant in our First
Nations communities across Canada.
OSPE: You're able to give back to the community through your
work as an engineer.
WES: I've presented at numerous events and we do some
emergency management training through the Ontario First
Nations Technical Services Corporation. That has been very
successful in enhancing skills and capacity at the First Nations
level using a "train the trainer" approach.
OSPE: Networking and mentorship are a big part of OSPE.
WES: I've been mentored by some very good professional
engineers through my career. I'd like to acknowledge them for
their contributions. It's benefitted me immensely. It's genuine.
OSPE: How has your work changed the world, in both small and
large ways?
WES: I've been at Matawa First Nations Management since
2004, and so I've seen the impact that various government
budgets have on First Nations. I've participated in a number of
studies and engineers' reports on First Nations drinking water
facilities. What often happens is funding commitments based
on those reports end up being terminated, and those facilities
are just sitting there. So water treatment technologies that
are in a lot of those communities right now don't meet Ontario
drinking water regulations. So when I think of my own work, I
really feel invested to say I want to see clean drinking water in
these communities.
One of the communities I work with has been under a boil

water advisory for 22 years! It's mind-boggling that this exists
in Canada. Imagine that. And you're bathing your kids in it.
Sometimes it looks like apple juice coming out of the taps...
I've seen it. It's just not right and it needs to be corrected. I
take pride in knowing that we're advancing these water plants
now. We've actually mobilized the materials for construction
at that plant this year, and in other areas of the province as
well. That's really what's driving me now. Many of the people
I work with I have gotten to know very well over the years, so
they're no longer strangers we're helping, but friends. That's
very gratifying.
OSPE: What's the end result of the work you do? Clean water
for communities that don't currently have access to it?
WES: Yes that's the end goal, but it's actually bigger than that.
We build healthy communities. I find there is a lot of siloed
thinking with respect to programs - both in First Nations and
non-First Nations communities - so if water is identified as
the issue, money is taken from somewhere else to find that
solution. I have a hard time picturing being able to build a
healthy home in an unhealthy community. It just doesn't work.
The only viable solution is to create sustainable communities,
and you can't just look at one particular aspect to solve the
larger problem of community health.
OSPE: Any final words of wisdom or advice?
WES: Follow your passion and you'll derive immense pride.
Follow what drives you and you'll have a career that you love,
a job that you love, and you can't really go wrong. Plus you're
going to meet great friends. It's a very simple formula in my
mind. If you do that, everything else kind of falls into place.

September 2017

The VOICe

25



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - September 2017

OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - Cover1
OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - Cover2
OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - 3
OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - 4
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OSPE - The Voice - September 2017 - 7
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