Gallery: Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation
Dinner was prepared by chef Raghav Chaudhary (Aiāna) with chef Anna Cote of Kitigan Zibi, for the fourth year in a row at Aiāna's third annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
Guests gathered at Aiāna Restaurant on Wednesday evening for the third annual Gathering for Reconciliation, an intimate night centred on connection and conversation.
The evening opened with a blessing and teaching from elder Verna McGregor of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, setting a thoughtful tone before guests settled in for dinner and conversation.
Terry Goodtrack, president and CEO of AFOA Canada, served as master of ceremonies and guided guests through an evening that kept the focus on listening, learning and coming together.
The dinner was prepared by chef Raghav Chaudhary alongside chef Anna Cote of Kitigan Zibi, who returned for her fourth year cooking for the gathering. Wines from David Foran of Stratus Vineyards accompanied the meal as guests lingered and conversations continued throughout the evening.
This year’s gathering directed net proceeds to the Akwesasne Family Wellness Program, which provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and healing services through the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. The program reached nearly 80 children and adults last year.
With the formal program giving way to conversation, guests spent the rest of the evening connecting around the shared table — a fitting reflection of the gathering’s purpose.
Yasser Ghazi (RBC), Cynthia Desjardins (RBC) and Justin Schurman (RBC) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.From left: Martha Sharl (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada), Nadine Bursey-Way (Women’s Expressions), Wendylee Roberts (Makwa Resourcing) and Tasha Cloutier (Indigenous Services Canada) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Sandy McDonald (Bell) and daughter Anna Willman at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.A blessing ceremony to begin the evening given by District Chief Tesha Rourke of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.A cultural performance by Martha Sharl, Tasha Cloutier and Danielle White (Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Keynote speaker Gina Wilson (former deputy minister at Indigenous Services Canada) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Jamie Beechie (Akwesasne Family Wellness Program) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Devinder Chaudhary with Brayden Harper (Meridian Credit Union) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.From left: Natalie Jacobs, Fallon David (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne), District Chief Sarah Lee-Diabo (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne), Chief Cody David (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne), Jamie Beechie (Akwesasne Family Wellness Program), Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Taylor Armstrong and District Chief Tesha Rourke (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.Savita, chef Raghav Chaudhary and Devinder Chaudhary (Aiāna) at Aiāna’s Third Annual Gathering for Reconciliation on Sept. 23, 2026. Photos by Tia MacPherson-Abdulla/OBJ.
