Lifestyle

Obakki Foundation White Envelope Event 2019

Obakki Foundation raises over $400,000 at its second annual White Envelope Event with performances by Nickelback, Stephen Kellogg, Shawn Hook and Jim Cuddy with Barney Bentall

By Paul Duchart /

Credit: Paul Duchart

Chad Kroeger, Nickelback frontman; and Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder

Nickelback, Stephen Kellogg, Shawn Hook and Jim Cuddy with Barney Bentall perform

Over 200 guests attended the Obakki Foundation’s second annual White Envelope Event September 5, raising more than $400,000. Hosted by philanthropist and clothing designer Treana Peake and her husband, Ryan Peake from Nickelback, the “anti-gala gala” featured an interactive art installation, a photography session by the Collective You and a backyard acoustic stage featuring performances by Nickelback, Stephen Kellogg, Shawn Hook and Jim Cuddy with Barney Bentall. This year’s theme, “The Story of Us,” was represented in an art piece that brings together the individual journeys of 150 women in Bidi Bidi, Uganda. The foundation is working to empower thousands of women in Bidi Bidi—the world’s largest refugee resettlement area—who have been displaced from South Sudan by brutal civil war.

Since its inception in 2008, the Obakki Foundation has drilled more than 2,500 wells, providing clean water to more than 2.5 million people, and has helped to build over 12 schools and hospitals in vulnerable areas in Africa. All administrative costs for the charity are covered by the Obakki fashion brand, with 100 percent of all public donations going directly into the field.

The White Envelope Event, presented by Nicola Wealth Management, was named as a nod to the anonymous person who started Treana on her philanthropic journey. When she was young, Treana’s family received a white envelope of money each year, which allowed them to make ends meet. To this day, Treana doesn’t know who the person was, but she hopes they see the ripple effect of their kindness.

Credit: Paul Duchart
Rachel Mantel, Mercury Capital VP; and Anna Bosa, Bosa Properties

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Rodan Bournazel, merchandise and assistant tour manager for Shawn Hook; Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger; and Shawn Hook, singer/songwriter/producer

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Monica Soprovich, Sotheby’s realtor; Heidi Cogcon; Kristy Brinkley; Soha Lavin, CountDown Events Planning and Design owner; and Liesa Norman, XL The Band musician

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Jason (Shady) Katz, tour manager for Stephen Kellogg; Stephen Kellogg, American singer/songwriter; Hossein Taheri, CAD technician; and Jenna Mboine, Veterans Transitions Network, non-profit program manager

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Eric Christiansen, Angell Hasman & Associates realtor; Murray Neilson, Nicola Wealth Management business development; and Jon Curleigh, SRS Group

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Danielle Papin and her husband, Wade Papin, co-founders of Pyrrha jewelry

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Lisa Turner, Quake Studio creative director; and Terrence Turner, Calendar Films filmmaker/artist

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder; and Krista Howard, Howard 495 owner

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Kent Bubbs, Universal Outreach Foundation country director; and Landis Wyatt, Universal Outreach Foundation community co-ordinator

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Meyrick Jones, Innovative Fitness West Vancouver owner and freelance photographer; and Sebastian Cortez, Sebastian & Co. Fine Meats owner and entrepreneur

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Robin Gill, Global National anchor; and Naz Panahi, Pan City Enterprises VP

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder

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Betty Peake, mother of Nickelback guitarist Ryan Peake; and Steve Mantel, Mercury Capital managing director

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Vanessa Richards, Creative Together director; and Kim Haxton, Elevate Inclusion Strategies consultant and associate

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Melanie Neufeld, Liz Bell makeup artist; Leila Bani, stylist; and Araceli Ogrinc, freelance stylist

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Beverley von Zielonka, Collingwood School head of the Morven Campus; and Shannon Bosa, Collingwood School director of service

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Kanya Adam, SFU political science lecturer; and Paul Simpson, Liberty Wine Merchants president and Silvercorp Metals director

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Bobbie Burgers, artist; and Diana Sawers, art consultant

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation White Envelope Event founder

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Treana Peake, Obakki Foundation founder, and Emmanuel Jal, former South Sudanese child soldier and current peace ambassador

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From The Collective You photography: Jason Vaughan, guest host; and Dennis Gocer, founder 

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Charity auctioneer Marc Bergevin takes bids at the auction

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Fred Lee, man about town; and Shawn Hook, Canadian singer/songwriter/producer

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Mike Kroeger, Nickelback bass player; Rob Catani; Jim Cuddy, singer/songwriter and Blue Rodeo co-founder; and Ryan Peake, Nickelback guitarist

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Julia Comu, bartender; and Gez McAlpine, Remy Cointreau marketing manager 

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Rebecca Bond; and Dale Bosa, Blue Sky Properties CEO

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Nickelback performs at the party

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Chad Kroeger from Nickelback 

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Nickelback performs at the party

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Melania Dela Cruz, Avenue PR agency director; and Joy Pecknold, Zissou Magazine editor/co-founder

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Singer/songwriter Stephen Kellogg performs

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Singer/songwriter Stephen Kellogg performs

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Chad Kroeger, Nickelback frontman; and Paul Duchart, BCBusiness photographer

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The White Envelope Event artwork with strips of fabric representing stories of South Sudanese women

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Guests bid $1,000 per photo toward charity

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Shawn Hook performs

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Shawn Hook performs

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The White Envelope Event

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The White Envelope Event

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Shawn Hook performs

Credit: Obakki Foundation

Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy perform

Credit: Obakki Foundation 

Barney Bentall and Jim Cuddy perform

Credit: Obakki Foundation

Ryan Peake, Jim Cuddy and Barney Bentall perform

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The White Envelope Event

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The White Envelope Event

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Pre-party

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View of the ocean from the party