Posted: June 2, 2025

Thank you for an amazing 2025 Riverkeeper Gala!

The Riverkeeper Gala 2025, presented by IBC, was a resounding success, thanks to the amazing sponsors, volunteers, and guests who made it possible. Relive the highlights!

Under cloudy skies on May 21st, guests gathered for the 2025 Riverkeeper Gala, presented by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The theme of the evening was “swimming under the borealis”, and event designers and sponsors Chic + Swell had transformed Jacques Cartier Park into a wonderland with beautifully decorated, clear-topped tents. With the Ottawa River as the backdrop, guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening featuring captivating performances by aerialist Becca Ng, harpist Michelle Gott, and a pod of shimmering mermaids that brought the theme to life.

There was exquisite catering by Thyme & Again, with spirits from 5e Baron, À la Dérive, and AiR Distillerie. The Whalesbone oyster bar, an always-popular fixture of the Riverkeeper Gala, was also back in full swing. Thanks to City Seltzer and Stream Water for providing non-alcoholic refreshments for everyone. A special thank you as well to Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, our Sustainability Sponsor, whose support is helping make the watershed and the Gala more sustainable. 

The evening kicked off with the Chair’s Reception, sponsored by RBC, and even a light sprinkle of rain couldn’t keep spirits down. Guests mingled, laughed, and placed bids on auction items. As part of the Chair’s Reception, RBC announced a new financial commitment to supporting Ottawa Riverkeeper and presented Riverkeeper Laura Reinsborough with a symbolic cheque. Ottawa Riverkeeper Board Chair Colleen Westeinde spoke about the personal significance of the river, and reception attendees also heard from Ville de Gatineau councillor Anik Des Marais and MP Greg Fergus about the importance of river protection. 

The main Gala event began with a hoop dance from Makhena Rankin-Guérin and drummer Awema Tendesi, followed by a welcome by Elder Verna MacGregor to the Gatineau side of the Kichi Zībī, which is unceded Anishinābeg Algonquin territory. 

The MC for the evening, Mathieu Fleury, took the stage to continue programming, which included a speech about the importance of protecting the river from Laura Reinsborough, and honouring legendary journalist and author Roy MacGregor as the newest Honorary Riverkeeper. Though MacGregor couldn’t attend the Gala due to illness, he will make an acceptance speech at a future event.

Minister Steven Guilbeault and former Gala MC, now Minister, Evan Solomon also took the stage to talk about the importance of freshwater, with representation from other levels of government in the crowd, such as MPP Lucille Collard and City of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

The main program closed off with an exciting live auction, with bids flying! Auctioneer Ryan Watson energized the crowd with standout packages donated by generous partners, including a stay at the Fogo Island Inn, a large paddleboard from Level Six, a dinner for 6 at the award-winning Ottawa restaurant Arlo, and a VIP stay out in the beauty of nature from Ciel & Bois. Ryan also ran a paddle raise in support of Ottawa Riverkeeper’s major fundraising campaign, the Big River Give, asking the crowd to make commitments to get us closer to our $5 million goal, of which we already have $4 million raised. All together, the Gala raised a whopping $330,000 to support the river!

The celebration ramped up when the evening’s featured musical act, sponsored by TD, took the stage. Big Smoke Brass was a highlight of the event, bringing the crowd to its feet with an electrifying set of covers and original pieces. Their performance transformed the evening into a full-blown riverfront dance party!

From us at Ottawa Riverkeeper, thank you for a memorable evening by the river. We keep looking back at the photos and remembering what a wonderful time it was. Special thanks to Enchanted Booth Ottawa for their interactive photobooth experience, which gave guests a fun way to capture memories and added another layer of joy to the evening. If you’re looking to relive the magic of the Gala yourself, view our Gala photo album, featuring images from Enchanted Booth Ottawa and event photographers who captured moments throughout the Gala.

Thanks to your incredible support, the Riverkeeper Gala continues to be the most important annual fundraiser for Ottawa Riverkeeper. Whether you attended, volunteered, donated, or placed a bid in our online auction, your contributions directly support our mission to protect the river that supplies drinking water to over two million people and sustains the unique ecosystems that surround us.

Thank You to Our 2025 Gala Sponsors

We are deeply grateful to all of our sponsors for their support of the 2025 Riverkeeper Gala. Your generosity made this unforgettable evening possible, and your commitment helps protect the Ottawa River for future generations.

Presenting Sponsor

• Insurance Bureau of Canada

Chair’s Reception Sponsor

• RBC

Music Sponsor

• TD Bank Group

Sustainability Sponsor

• Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties

Gold Sponsors

• Chic & Swell
• Dentons Canada LLP
• Fogo Island Inn
• Thyme & Again

Silver Sponsors

• Colton Longbottom Foundation & Flora Hall Brewing
• Portage Power
• Star Motors of Ottawa Mercedes-Benz
• Zibi

Bronze Sponsors

• Abacus Data Inc
• Ashbury College
• Brookfield
• Capital Wealth Partners
• Cement Association of Canada
• Ciel & Bois
• Ed Brunet et Associés Canada Inc
• GGFL Chartered Professional Accountants
• The Hill Times
• Groupe Internotions
• Level Six
• Patagonia
• Rassi Coiffure
• Samonix
• Sapis Insight
• Shean Architects
• Theia Partners
• Wall Space Gallery and Framing
• WCPD Foundation

Special Thanks

• 5^e Baron
• À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale
• AiR Distillerie
• Arlo
• ARX Fencing
• Boreal River Rescue
• Camp Fortune
• Canada Council for the Arts Art Bank
• City Seltzer
• Enchanted Booth Ottawa
• ExecHealth
• Gal Power
• Hot Shoe Productions
• JÉRÔME Art & Photography
• Moto Spa Club
• National Research Council (NRC)
• NCC
• Nordik Spa Village
• Rebel Tents
• SPAO
• Soif
• Stream Water
• Whalesbone

< Previous post Next post >