This project was an attempt to provide education in the form of interactive simulation multimedia. Basically, this means that a realistic simulation of a system is provided in a visually dynamic form that allows users to interact with it in a realtime way to learn and solve problems.

This project was sponsored by Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) & the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and intended to provide an innovative training program for First Nations Small System Water Operators in BC.

Educating Waterkeepers: Using Interactive Simulation Multimedia As A Method of Enhancing First Nations Small Water Systems Operation Training.

Since 2006, Don Bergland has been working extensively on a major research and development project which has an extremely important and immediate impact in providing effective training for the health and safety of 203 First Nations communities in BC.

The project, managed by MacDonald Dettwiler (MDA) and funded by Indian & Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), investigates the use of innovative simulation media in the process of providing training for First Nations Small Water Systems Operation Certification. The current failure rate for certification is over 80%. This inventive program is an attempt to use innovative technology and design to remedy this situation. The project team have moved through 3 stages of research, design, and production and in March 2009, released a product for testing among First Nations focus groups.

For Don, this project was an intensive culmination of over 15 years of technological learning and investigation. He is working with the same industry experts he worked with when constructing learning simulators for NASA Education (Space Shuttle program) in the mid-1990s.   

His role in this project has included:
- Assessment of current government training programs and learning resources
- Invention and design of the 3D simulation learning model, product, and all learning structures
- Mentorship, training, leadership, & line guidance for the First Nations Media team
- Creative Direction for all areas of product production
- Creation of all learning scripts (8 Chapters), placeholder media (graphics & audio)
- Line production of Flash animation Learning Chapter exemplars
- Provincial QA integration with product learning objectives
- Extensive government report writing

This project has received a very high profile among First Nations educators and other industry leaders in Canada who are seeking innovative and dynamic solutions to training situations. At the University of Victoria, his team has hosted many corporate and government project leaders who have examined the methods in detail.