Aiāna reconciliation gathering raises $100K-plus for Minwaashin Lodge

Leaders from the private sector, government and Indigenous communities gathered at Aiāna Restaurant Collective on Monday night to break bannock, not bread, while building conversation and better understanding during the Aiāna Annual Reconciliation Gathering. It’s been almost a year since the fine dining restaurant officially unveiled its unique land acknowledgement plaque, recognizing its location on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. The messaging — meant to inspire others to focus on advancing reconciliation — conveys Aiāna's gratitude and respect for the Algonquin people and its commitment to fostering a relationship of trust and mutual respect. The ceremony was attended by current uOttawa Chancellor Claudette Commanda, retired Ontario appeal court judge Harry LaForme, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Chief Dylan Whiteduck and Chief Greg Sarazin of Algonquin Pikwàkanagàn. “This was more than just a symbol; it was the beginning of our active commitment to reconciliation,” Aiāna owner Devinder Chaudhary told dozens of guests as they took their seats Monday for a multi-course dinner prepared by the culinary team at Aiāna. Joining them in the kitchen was guest chef and Birch Bite caterer Anna Coté, from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in Maniwaki. The menu had an Indigenous flair that featured bison tartare, Arctic char, game meat and pickerel.

Next Monday marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the survivors of residential schools and the children who never returned home, as well as their families and communities. It's also known as Orange Shirt Day. Bringing leaders together was important for Chaudhary, as it aligns with the Calls for Action issued by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commission and aims to contribute to reconciliation efforts, he told OBJ.social. Dinner guests included Mary Daoust, executive director of Minwaashin Lodge. It provides services and programs to First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and children, including counselling, employment and culture programs, outreach services and a 25-bed shelter for Indigenous women and children fleeing violence.  Chaudhary mentioned that he'd only met Daoust earlier this year. “Through her, I gained insight into the daily challenges that Indigenous women face,” he said. More than $100,000 was raised for the non-profit service provider through corporate sponsorship. The support came from RBC, EY, Meridian Credit Union, Ottawa International Airport Authority and Stratus Vineyards from Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Among the leaders were Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe; Royal Bank of Canada’s new regional president, Devinder Gill (overheard joking with Chaudhary about their shared first name upon first meeting); Warren Tomlin, managing partner of EY's Ottawa office; Rafik Gabriel, regional vice president of business banking at Meridian Credit Union; and Krista Kealey, vice president of communications and public consultation at Ottawa International Airport Authority. “You've chosen to be part of the solution by standing as allies in this effort,” said Chaudhary as he thanked the businesses for stepping up to advance reconciliation. 

While Chaudhary is known in Ottawa as a restaurateur and advocate for the city’s downtown district, he’s also a successful businessman with a professional background in accounting. He sits on the board of the Ottawa Board of Trade. Chaudhary is of the opinion that the private sector has maintained a “largely untapped role” in the reconciliation process with Canada’s Indigenous people. “The private sector holds a unique and powerful position in society,” he wrote in an expert blog published online in the Ottawa Business Journal this week. “Businesses are drivers of economic growth, employment, and innovation. When corporations engage meaningfully with reconciliation, they can impact real change by addressing economic disparities, promoting Indigenous-led businesses, and creating pathways to inclusion and opportunity.” Prior to the start of dinner, Acting Grand Chief Cindy Francis-Mitchell from the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne led the opening prayer. The room heard from Carleton University instructor Deborah Young and from Philippe Forest, vice president of commercial financial services of Indigenous Markets in Quebec.

The speakers shared their own connection to residential schools. Forest, who’s originally from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, took pride in his community’s reputation for producing excellent hockey players. “We also have our sad history that goes along with that.” Forest’s mother, aunts, and uncle were separated from their community and each other through the residential school system. “That's the harsh reality,” said Forest while touching on the intergenerational trauma. He referenced cousins struggling with heavy substance use. “It gets me choked up to see the trauma that we felt in the past, and we still feel today this impact. Having you here today, collectively, working toward truth and reconciliation is very meaningful to me.” Forest told the room he’s inspired for a better future through the next generation. “I just came back from a trip to a community in northern Quebec, a fly-in community. Although, yes, we see the hardship that our communities are going through, I was really inspired. I was really inspired by our youth. We have to focus our attention on what the youth can teach us as adults, as citizens and our influence on the corporate world."

caroline@obj.ca