Igniting the Spirit Gala Save the date!

Wabano’s Igniting the Spirit Gala has become one of Ottawa’s most significant and sought-after social events of the year, bringing people together to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day as we raise funds for Wabano’s essential services.

This high-profile event attracts over 600 corporate and community leaders who are committed to reconciliation with Indigenous people. Wabano’s last gala featured more than 200 silent auction items and raised $200,000!

Inspired by the Navajo blessing, this year’s theme — “walking in beauty”— will honour the beauty of Indigenous cultures and how we journey on Mother Earth.

Join us as we explore and celebrate how music, and specifically the drum, improves the health of people, communities and the land. Honour your unique rhythm in support of this important Indigenous charity.

When you become a sponsor, purchase tickets, or donate auction items, you are helping Wabano provide essential health services for our community. Beyond just our medical clinic, Wabano provides counselling and mental health support, outreach to those experiencing homelessness, parenting support for families, and care to isolated seniors.

We invite you to become an important part of the Wabano Gala for the following reasons:

• Put reconciliation into action
• Celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day by supporting a local Indigenous charity
• Engage your employees with a cause that builds healthier communities
• Build your professional and community networks

Sponsorship Opportunities

Purchase your sponsorship online and a Wabano team member will contact you directly to finalize the sponsorship deliverables. If you’d prefer to speak with someone directly, please contact Shelagh Mills, Event Lead at 613.612.5482.

Individual Tickets

Individual tickets are $375.

There are many ways that you can support Wabano’s work.

• Donate to Wabano.
• Donate an auction item: These items are popular with our event guests:
  • Travel or vacation packages
  • Electronics
  • Ski/golf passes
  • Gift cards for restaurants, spas, retail outlets
  • Movie/event/concert/game tickets

Wabano is happy to pick up your donation item(s) and provide a tax receipt for the value of the donation.

Over 200 incredible items!

Bidding starts June 13, 2025 at 1 PM EST and closes June 19, 2025 at 8 PM EST.

This year’s online auction includes artwork and handcrafted goods by First Nation, Inuit and Métis artists and craftspeople. You will see beautiful, detailed artwork and sculptures from award-winning artists such as David General, Leland Bell, and well-known Inuit carvers. Check out the handmade jewellery, moccasins, mitts, décor items for the home and themed gift baskets for every age and personality — and so much more!

Auction Sign-Up

Text “Gala” to 613-902-1391 from your mobile device and a link will be sent to you via text. The link will then take you to the sign-in page and all you have to do is follow the instructions to join the auction. Bidding is only available through the mobile platform on your mobile device.

MobilBid Tips

Here are some helpful tips on how to use the MobilBid auction app:

• Scroll down the list of items to review. You will see the starting bid or highest bid amount displayed.
• At the bottom of your screen is a countdown timer – keep your eye on it!
• Review details on any item by tapping on the item photo or title.
• Tapping the heart symbol adds items to your ‘favourite’ list. To see your list, tap on the heart on the top menu.
• Place a bid on an item from within the item detail screen – you can accept the offered minimum bid, or raise it higher.
• As you go to place your very first bid, you will be prompted to enter a credit card. This is for contactless payment and will help to eliminate the line up at the end of the event.
• You can set an “auto-bid”, up to a maximum amount you are prepared to pay for a specific item. The platform will bid incrementally on your behalf up to, but never beyond the maximum you set.
• If you are outbid, you will receive a text and/or email notification.
• Review the items for which you are the winning bidder by pressing the ‘trophy’ button on the top menu.
• At the end of the auction, winning bidders will receive a notification containing their invoice and payment confirmation, as well as item pickup instructions.

How to Pay

You will be asked to provide your credit card information when you make your first bid. When the auction closes, winning bidders will receive a notification containing their invoice, payment confirmation and item pick up instructions.

Auction item(s) pick up will take place at the Wabano Gala on June 20, 2024. For the winning bidders that are not attending the gala, items can be picked up at Wabano between June 24-28, 2024. Auction items will only be mailed at the cost of the successful winner.

Location: Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, 299 Montreal Road
Dates: Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Pick-up times can be arranged directly with Natalie Lloyd at
613-748-0657 ext. 244 or nlloyd@wabano.com

Enjoy the auction and happy shopping for a great cause.
Miigwetch for your support!

Lee Claremont is Mohawk and Irish and was born in Woodstock, Ontario in the territory of the Grand River, Six Nations, Oshweken, Ontario. She is well known for her incredible use of colour and her very distinct and recognizable palette is a rainbow that showers us with a positive sense of emotional energy and healing.

Lee Claremont exhibits her work locally, nationally, and internationally and her paintings can be found in government, corporate and private collections throughout the world.

Wabano is grateful to Lee Claremont for allowing us to use her beautiful artwork “Golden Messenger” for our gala promotional material this year.