Water First, formerly known as Tin Roof Global, is celebrating its relocation to 178 Mill Street with a community open house on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is designed to interest all ages and provide a taste of this country’s Indigenous culture, a reminder of the pressing water challenges faced by many First Nation communities, and an overview of the collaborative work Water First is engaged in to help solve the problem.
The day will include a traditional introduction by Shawanaga First Nation member and Anishinaabe cultural consultant Kim Wheatley. The former First Nation Program Coordinator for the Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation project, Wheatley’s love of Anishinaabe traditional teachings and Indigenous hand drumming and singing shapes her worldview, defines her life journey and is always the framework of her interactions with others. She is deeply committed to creating and promoting awareness of the Indigenous perspective utilizing her gifts of song, storytelling and Traditional teachings, and has given over 500 cultural presentations in the last four years.
Following Wheatley’s introduction, First Nations chef Charles Catchpole will deliver a primer on Indigenous cooking. A selection of Catchpole’s creations – Cedar Tea, Hominy Corn Soup, and Bannock – will be available for sampling.
Water First founder and executive director John Millar will be presenting an overview of the organization’s First Nation water projects.
Water First staffers Katie Vander Wielen and Katie Campbell will deliver demonstrations of two facets of the nonprofit’s work – water education workshops that are delivered to elementary and high school students in First Nation communities, and water sampling trainings which are designed for young adults in First Nation communities.
Throughout the event, younger attendees can take part in a series of ongoing hands-on water education experiences.
For more information about Water First, visit www.waterfirst.ngo or call 1-800-970-8467.