Canadian R&B singer Jully Black had no trouble getting the crowd dancing, including attendee Julie Westeinde, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held at its new River House headquarters on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline Phillips
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As far as housewarming parties go, it doesn’t get much better than the one hosted by Ottawa Riverkeeper on Wednesday night.
More than 400 folks showed their support for the non-profit organization during the 10th anniversary of its signature fundraiser, hosted at its stunning new headquarters at the newly restored NCC River House.
The Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala raised $345,000. The evening offered up everything, from food and drink stations, to live music and dancing, to auction bidding, conversation and stylish decor. Only at the Riverkeeper Gala are you served fresh food in a well-iced canoe.
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Attendees of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala could help themselves to fresh food catered by Thyme & Again and served from a canoe. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Nothing could beat the amazing views of the river, particularly with the bright-orange sunset over calm waters. Canadian R&B singer Jully Black was the queen of audience engagement and participation. Later in the evening, she led a barefoot conga line dance. The event also featured a performance from Algonquin dancer Josée Bourgeois and the Eagle River Singers.
The National Capital Commission, which manages federal lands and buildings, has spent the past four years restoring the historical building, located on the river in Rockcliffe Park. “Who could possibly be a better partner and tenant in this building than the Ottawa Riverkeeper?” Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the NCC, asked rhetorically while speaking on stage about how well their values align with Riverkeeper when it comes to building a more sustainable future.
The new-and-improved River House was described as “the jewel of the Ottawa River,” by well-known journalist Evan Solomon, who recently became publisher of New York-based GZERO Media. He’s hosted the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala every year since it launched in 2013 with inaugural Honorary Riverkeeper Mark Carney, current UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, and former governor of the Bank of Canada.
This year, the gala fêted Algonquin Elder Claudette Commanda, who’s also chancellor of the University of Ottawa. She expressed “deep gratitude” for her new honorary title.
Commanda reflected back to the grassroots beginnings of Ottawa Riverkeeper, founded in 2001 to protect, promote and improve the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries. “You started with an idea. An idea. Then, you had a vision, and then you brought together concerned community members and you worked hard. With hard work always comes great rewards. Look at where we are.”
She expressed her appreciation to Ottawa Riverkeeper for being such a collaborative organization. “Thank you, thank you so much for acknowledging the Algonquin people, for respecting the Algonquin people, for working with the Algonquin people, for reaching out to us for our wisdom and our knowledge, our ways of knowing, our ways of being, our ways of doing.”
On stage for the presentation were Carney and his wife, Diana Carney, who does a lot of work in the area of climate change; 2022 Honorary Riverkeeper Daniel Alfredsson, former captain of the Ottawa Senators; 2015 Honorary Riverkeeper Kevin Vickers (who can forget his heroic efforts on Parliament Hill when a gunman attacked in 2014?); along with Ottawa Riverkeeper and CEO Laura Reinsborough and visionary board chair Geoff Green, founder and president of Students on Ice Foundation.
The gala was presented by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, represented by Jason Clark. He got Treasury Board President Mona Fortier, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and Reinsborough on stage with him for a crowd selfie (similar to the gala launch party back in March but with a much bigger audience).
Among the attendees were Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke and his wife, Fiona McKean, who own the Opinicon Resort in the Rideau Lakes region.
From left, former Honorary Riverkeeper Kevin Vickers, Diana Carney and former Honorary Riverkeeper Mark Carney, Ottawa Riverkeeper Laura Reinsborough, former Honorary Riverkeeper Daniel Alfredsson, 2023 Honorary Riverkeeper Claudette Commanda and Ottawa Riverkeeper board chair Geoff Green at this year’s gala, held at the organization’s new headquarters, the NCC River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsAlgonquin Elder and 2023 Honorary Riverkeeper Claudette Commanda explained how the calmness and beauty of our waterways speak to her, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the new River House on the Ottawa River, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsAlgonquin Elder Claudette Commanda was celebrated as the 2023 Honorary Riverkeeper at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the new River House on the Ottawa River, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsEvan Solomon, formerly the host of CTV’s national political news programs Power Play and Question Period, has emceed every Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, since it was first launched in 2013. Photo by Caroline PhillipsJason Clark, national director of climate change advocacy for the Insurance Bureau of Canada, snapped a crowd selfie with Ottawa Riverkeeper/CEO Laura Reinsborough, Treasury Board President Mona Fortier and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the NCC River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsLara Van Loon, one of the gala committee members, has her own iconic cameo moment dancing on stage with Jully Black at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held at the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Earlier in the evening, the Chair’s Reception was held in the top-floor office area. The room heard from Melissa Cotton from reception sponsor CN and from Justin Schurman from RBC, which was also a major sponsor. The reception featured a live auction led by retired Gatineau businessman and community leader Michel Drouin. He’s co-chairing a $5-million campaign to help with the expansion of the educational programming at Ottawa Riverkeeper’s new site. The campaign is almost half-way done.
Drouin sold off a dinner for eight with wine at Giovanni’s, a private wine tasting for 10 at Soif in Gatineau, and the opportunity for four people to hang out with Alfredsson and play padel, a new sport he’s been introducing to Ottawa that’s big back in his homeland of Sweden. It’s a cross between tennis, squash and pickleball.
Alfredsson assured everyone that it takes 10 minutes to learn if you’ve played racquet sports. “If you haven’t, 20 minutes.”
He also promised, for the right price, that he’d keep his competitive streak in check. “Depending on what this goes for, you can win against me,” joked Alfredsson. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductee threw in an autographed hockey stick, as well.
The package sold for $8,000 to Jean-Michel Lemieux, former chief technology officer at Shopify. He and his wife, Nadine Martel, are Riverkeeper donors.
From left, Evan Solomon with Daniel Alfredsson during the live auction held during the Chair’s Reception at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the new River House in Rockcliffe Park. Photo by Caroline PhillipsMichel Drouin, co-chair of a $5-million campaign cabinet for the Ottawa Riverkeeper, led the live auction during the Chair’s Reception held as part of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsDaniel Alfredsson helped to raise $8,000 for Ottawa Riverkeeper by offering a group lesson of the new racquet sport of padel to the highest bidder at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Green spoke at the reception of the potential that Ottawa Riverkeeper has to make the Ottawa River not just the cleanest capital river in the world but to share its best practices with other world capitals and their rivers. “This is the beginning of something unbelievable,” said Green of the organization’s new location on the river and the expanded opportunities it has for teaching, learning, research and collaboration. Many back-of-a-napkin plans were hatched in Riverkeeper’s efforts to have its base near the Ottawa River, said Green. “Tonight is one of those crazy dreams come true.”
He touched on some of the work Riverkeeper is doing, including its WHAM (Watershed Health Assessment and Monitoring) initiative.
River House will be “a catalyst” for so many groups, including youth and Elders, at such a critical time in the climate change battle, said Green. “As Canadians with the longest coastline in the world and the greatest freshwater resources on planet earth, we have to lead. And we are, but we can do much, much better. River House is going to be at the centre of that journey.”
It was the final Riverkeeper Gala for Green as chair of the board, a role he’s held for “14-ish” years. “I’ll be passing on the paddle into really good hands,” said Green, who plans to remain involved with the organization.
From left, Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada and current UN Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, with Ottawa Riverkeeper board chair Geoff Green and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the Chair’s Reception portion of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Carole Saad, owner of sponsor Chic + Swell Event Designers, with Sheila Whyte, owner of sponsor Thyme & Again Creative Catering, outside the newly restored River House for the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsMona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board and MP for Ottawa-Vanier, with National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum, and Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe Ottawa Riverkeeper held its signature fundraiser, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, at its new headquarters, inside the NCC River House, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Jason Clark from the Insurance Bureau of Canada, with colleagues Jill Currie and Craig Stewart, vice president of climate change and federal affairs with IBC, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Justin Schurman, regional vice president of business financial services with RBC, with his husband, Trevor Stevenson, and their RBC colleagues, Glenn Sheen and Tim Carmack at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe Ottawa Riverkeeper held its signature fundraiser, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, at its new headquarters, inside the NCC River House, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsBram Bregman, president of the Danbe Foundation, with his colleague, Mary Tersigni-Paltrinieri, head of operations, at the Chair’s Reception for the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsCanadian artist Jully Black connects during her performance with Honorary Riverkeeper Claudette Commanda, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsKimberley Biggs, CEO of Gatineau-based POP Inc. and part of Ottawa Riverkeeper’s campaign cabinet, with her husband, two-time Olympic skier Patrick Biggs, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, gala lead Patricia Barr with fellow committee members Mary Jo McMenamin and Chloe Hillier at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, which showcased some of the artwork (seen in the background) auctioned off to support the environmental work being done by Ottawa Riverkeeper. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, gala committee members Melissa Hammell, senior associate at First Peoples Group, and Danielle Roy, an associate at First Peoples Group, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, transformational coach Julie Westeinde with her mom, Shirley Westeinde, president at Westeinde Properties, and Ottawa Riverkeeper board member Margot Sunter, chief innovation officer and chief operating officer at sponsor GGFL LLP, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held in the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Melissa Cotton, senior manager of government affairs at CN, with Ottawa Riverkeeper’s director of philanthropy, Chloe Hillier, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline Phillips Algonquin dancer Josée Bourgeois and the Eagle River Singers at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at its new headquarters in the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsOttawa entrepreneur Mark Zekulin and his wife, Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, founders of Happy Roots Foundation, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsOttawa Riverkeeper supporters Fiona McKean, Sanjay Shah, CEO of ExecHealth, Richcraft Homes executive vice president Monica Singhal with its chairman, Satish Rai, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Linebox Studio COO Melissa Reeves and her husband, Andrew Reeves, architect and owner of Linebox Studio, with Shopify CEO and founder Tobi Lütke, and Linebox architect Josée Anne Pronovost at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe Ottawa Riverkeeper held its signature fundraiser, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, at its new headquarters, inside the NCC River House, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, former Ottawa Riverkeeper Lara Van Loon with Thyme & Again Creative Catering owner Sheila Whyte and former long-time Ottawa Riverkeeper Meredith Brown at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsOttawa Riverkeeper board member David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, with his wife, Lisa Coletto, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s president and CEO, Tim Kluke, who is a former board member with Ottawa Riverkeeper, and Jacques Emond, founding law partner of Emond Harnden, one of the many sponsors of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsOttawa Riverkeeper board chair Geoff Green, president and founder of Students on Ice Foundation, at the Chair’s Reception held as part of the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe Ottawa Riverkeeper held its signature fundraiser, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, at its new headquarters, inside the NCC River House, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsFrom left, Pierre Killeen (Cannabis Council of Canada) with university professor Anna Rumin and Charles Sezlik from Sezlik Ottawa Luxury Properties, at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsRolland Vaive, partner at Vaive and Associates, with Jessica Tranquilli-Doherty from Global Affairs Canada at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsCanadian R&B artist Jully Black was engaging and entertaining during her performance at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the River House on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsWater activist Stephanie Peltier delivered a land acknowledgment during the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Photo by Caroline PhillipsHonorary Riverkeeper Claudette Commanda tested out her new paddle at the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, held at the newly restored River House. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe Ottawa Riverkeeper held its signature fundraiser, the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala, at its new headquarters, inside the NCC River House, located on the Ottawa River. Photo by Caroline PhillipsThe NCC River House is now home to the Ottawa Riverkeeper, a non-profit organization that has been protecting, promoting and improving the health of the Ottawa River and its tributaries for 22 years. Photo by Caroline Phillips
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