People who walked into Umi Café Thursday night in hopes of warming up after a chilly stroll got more than hot coffee handed to them.
A public information session organized by local water conservation advocates drew about 35 people to the Centretown café last week.
The café was scheduled just a few days ahead of an Ottawa stop on a cross-country “Unbottle It!” campaign led by the UN's newly appointed water adviser, Canadian activist Maude Barlow.
Curious observers and unsuspecting coffee-buyers watched as a microphone was passed around the crowded Chinatown café. The mike’s journey began in the hands of Camille Lechasseur, Ottawa-Gatineau chair of the Council of Canadians – the Centretown-based national advocacy group long led by Barlow.
“Once upon a time there was drop of water way up high in a sycamore tree…” Lechasseur began. As the mike moved from person to person, the story changed and advanced as each speaker added their own twists to the tale of the tiny water droplet.
Lechasseur said that having everyone contribute to the story of the water droplet illustrated the central theme of the “Water is Life” event.
“Water really is life,” said Lechasseur. “Everything comes from water and we can’t survive without it.”
There’s a huge misconception that water is an unlimited resource in Canada and it can be wasted without consequence, she added.
Not every country in the world has enough drinking water like Canada, said Ananda, a local Métis storyteller, who is known as “Joe Maple” to his fans. Canada needs to have legislation to protect its water, he said, because other countries covet it.
The event was a precursor for the “Unbottle It!” tour coming to Ottawa on Monday. Barlow is scheduled to appear at 7 p.m. at St. Joe's Parish Hall, 174 Wilbrod St. in Sandy Hill.
The tour is aimed at encouraging Canadians to take advantage of using tap water, said Lechasseur.
The Umi Café event also featured an Asinabike Women’s Drum Circle and a slam poetry performance.