The National Gallery of Canada’s Gala Etcetera, Nov. 22, Ottawa

The second instalment of Gala Etcetera, The National Gallery in Ottawa’s weekend-long fundraiser that connects gallery supporters with the arts and one another, took place Nov. 21-23. The weekend culminated in a black-tie gala at the gallery on Nov. 22, following nearly two days of arts-focused programming across the capital. On Friday evening, guests from across Canada gathered for a reception and panel discussion led by gallery director and CEO, Jean-François Bélisle.

This year, the focus was art’s connection to community and landscape, with artists Hangama Amiri (a finalist for this year’s Sobey Art Award), Sharon Lockhart (whose film WINDWARD is showing at the gallery) and Meryl McMaster (whose photography is also exhibited at the gallery). Joining them onstage were the gallery’s director of engagement Josée Drouin-Brisebois; director of Indigenous Ways and Decolonization Michelle LaVallee; and director of curatorial initiatives and interim senior curator of contemporary art Jonathan Shaughnessy.

The following day, guests visited galleries, toured the Canadian Museum of History and explored the collections at Rideau Hall. That night, they convened in black tie at the gallery for drinks, followed by dinner in the Great Hall. Former prime minister Jean Chrétien was there, serving as honorary chair of the gala. Also in attendance were former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman and his wife, Vicki Heyman, and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney.

Delivering remarks during dinner was gala honorary co-chair Bob Rennie, a patron of the gallery foundation who this past summer donated 61 works from his collection, bringing his total contribution to the gallery to 260 artworks since 2012. Also out were Lisson Gallery director Jasmin Tsou; and arts supporter duos Francis and Eleanor Shen; Robert and Julia Foster; Thomas d’Aquino and Susan Peterson d’Aquino; and vice-chair of the gallery’s board of trustees Mandeep Roshi Chadha and her husband, businessman Baljit Chadha. The Sobey Art Award exhibition, which features the work of Hangama Amiri, runs though February, 2026.

Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation Gala, Nov. 12, Toronto

“When it come to ceremony, it takes time and there are no shortcuts,” said Elder George Land, addressing the group who gathered to support the second edition of the Ignite the Future for Indigenous Youth Gala on Nov. 12 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

The event hosted by the Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation raised funds and awareness for the Makate Waagamichiwanang Gakinaa’amaatiwin Youth and Family Wellness Camp – a land-based healing space in Kenora, Ont., that offers community and cultural programming. A drum ceremony opened the gala proceedings, with Shawanoong Banaise’seek (the spirit name of Kenora Chiefs Advisory’s Grandmother Drum, which was brought to Toronto by the organization) playing a central role. Later, the Copenace family, from Whitefish Bay (Naotkamegwanning) First Nation, presented a traditional dance.

Jo Fontaine, who performed with her children and husband, Jye Copenace, later spoke about the transformative power of the camp, which helped her young son overcome his stage fright. Hanita Tiefenbach, a past board member and current adviser to the organization, was blanketed – a sacred ceremony where a blanket is gifted to honour an individual – in recognition of her long-standing commitment to Kenora Chiefs Advisory.

Former Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, chair and president of Ma’mo’weh Wii’soo’ka’tiwin Foundation, highlighted the work being done at the camp, as well as the transformative $10-million gift recently made by The Krawczyk Family Foundation to expand and sustain it. In 2024, the program saw around 15,000 participants.