Spruce Needle Tea
The Winter Tonic That’s Been Keeping People Healthy for Thousands of Years Walk through a…
For nearly three decades, Algonquin Tea Company has been blessed to harvest and grow our teas in the pristine forests and meadows of the Algonquin region. Water is at the heart of everything we do: it’s the lifeblood of the plants we wildcraft, the medicine we steep, and the communities we ser
This deep relationship with water has led us to support Water First, an organization working to ensure Indigenous communities across Canada have access to safe, clean drinking water, something that should be a basic human right, yet remains a challenge in far too many places.
While we carefully harvest herbs along clean riverbanks and steep our teas in safe water, many Indigenous communities across Canada still face long-term drinking water advisories. These aren’t temporary inconveniences. Some communities have been living without reliable access to clean water for over 25 years.
Water First is changing this reality through education, training, and community-led solutions. Their Drinking Water Program empowers Indigenous youth and community members with the skills and knowledge to manage and maintain their own water systems, creating sustainable solutions that honor Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.
Beyond technical training for water operators, Water First recognizes that lasting change begins with awareness and education. Their School Water Program brings water education directly into classrooms across Canada, reaching both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Through interactive lessons, students learn about the science of water, the cultural significance of water in Indigenous traditions, and the ongoing water challenges facing First Nations communities. The program helps young people understand that clean water isn’t just an environmental issue or a technical problem. It’s a matter of human rights, dignity, and justice.
By fostering understanding and empathy in classrooms today, Water First is cultivating a generation of informed citizens who will advocate for equitable water access tomorrow. These students become ambassadors in their own communities, spreading awareness about water justice and Indigenous rights. It’s education that ripples outward, creating waves of change that extend far beyond the classroom walls.
One of Water First’s recent graduates, Dyami, shares his powerful journey from student to water advocate in this inspiring video. His story reminds us that behind every water advisory is a community of people: families, children, elders who deserve the same access to clean water that many of us take for granted. Check out the What’s In Your Water flyer below, which introduces some of the workshops available for student scientists.
Through hands-on training, mentorship, and community support, Water First is helping create a generation of skilled water operators who can ensure their communities have sustainable access to safe drinking water for generations to come.
Every month, Algonquin Tea Company donates a portion of our proceeds to Water First. It’s our way of honoring the water that gives us life and supporting Indigenous communities in their journey toward water security.
When you choose our teas, you’re not just supporting ethical wildcrafting and organic agriculture. You’re joining us in supporting Indigenous-led solutions to one of Canada’s most pressing human rights issues.
Water First thrives on the support of monthly donors who provide steady, reliable funding for their programs. If you feel called to support this important work directly, consider becoming a monthly donor to Water First.
As we steep our teas and give thanks to the waters of Algonquin Park, we remember that access to clean water is sacred work. We’re grateful to walk alongside Water First in this journey.
Learn more about Water First’s vital work at waterfirst.ngo
Every cup you enjoy helps support clean water initiatives in Indigenous communities across Canada. Thank you for being part of our tea family and our commitment to water justice.
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