Sawa Iftar 

In March, more than 100 people gathered for an interfaith Iftar, hosted in collaboration with Sadaa and Mediation Services, that celebrated culture, community, and shared humanity. With potluck dishes that each told a story and guided table conversations that moved beyond small talk, the evening created a warm space for understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim neighbours. It’s now one of Kahanee’s annual pillars of belonging.

Pass the #%&!@ Potatoes 

Our commissioned play brought conflict transformation to life, using humour, tension, and repetition to show how small shifts in curiosity can reshape a conversation. The sold-out performance at Théâtre Cercle Molière sparked laughter, reflection, and recognition, followed by a community conversation on theatre as a tool for peace. 

Scoops for Peace 

Sometimes peacebuilding looks like… ice cream! In an intimate gathering at Chaeban Ice Cream, attendees heard founder Joseph Chaeban’s story and connected over themes of belonging, community, and joy. These smaller, grounded spaces became some of the most meaningful of the year and a great opportunity to highlight our local connections. 

Story Connections 

Early in 2025, our team began recording conversations with peacebuilders, mediators, poets, and community leaders across the globe. Clips reached thousands online, and the response was clear; people were craving thoughtful, hopeful dialogue. The momentum from Story Connections laid the foundation for our podcast launch in 2026. 

Gajarah 

Our founder, Somia Sadiq, released her debut novel Gajarah, a story woven with poetry, myth, ancestral memory, and resilience. All proceeds support Kahanee’s peace initiatives (sooo wanna pick up your copy?*link to amazon*), inviting readers to engage with storytelling as a pathway to healing and belonging.

Community & Partnerships

2025 was a year of showing up at local events, interfaith gatherings, community celebrations, and global peacebuilding spaces. Highlights include:

• Partnership with Folklorama and Celebrate Everything
  
• Speaking engagements at the Mauro Institute
  
• Sponsoring the Mediators Beyond Borders Peace Summit in Peru, where Somia received the Peacebuilder of the Year Award
  
• Growing relationships and hosting events with MIA, Sadaa, Mediation Services, Compassionate Winnipeg, and more
  

These partnerships expanded what was possible, demonstrating that peace grows through collaboration.

 What We Learned This Year

2025 taught us that:

• People are hungry for spaces of light, hope, and guidance.
  
• Smaller, intentional gatherings create deeper connection.
  
• Stories, real, vulnerable, human, are nourishment in a polarized world.
  
• Partnerships are essential for expanding what peace can look like in community.
  

These insights will shape how we show up in 2026.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Between the Threads Podcast

Launched in partnership with Narratives Inc., Between the Threads explores story, memory, identity, and meaning, how the threads of our lives shape peace. We’ve built a studio, mapped three seasons, and planned public shows. This podcast expands the spirit of Story Connections into a more accessible, powerful medium. We’ve recorded the first couple episodes and you’re in for a treat! Connection, wisdom and a whole lotta laughter, our first episode drops January 6th. *CTA*

Laachi Initiative — A Year of Belonging

Laachi, meaning cardamom, celebrates the small but powerful stories that shape belonging. Throughout 2026, nine gatherings will explore belonging through poetry, movement, writing, food, and more. The year will culminate in a public exhibition showcasing stories, creations, and collective expression from across our community. Laachi - Written Stories is the first event in the series taking place on January 22nd, 2026. This event will explore written words with local authors and invite attendees to write their own letters of belonging in a facilitated workshop. Tickets are available now!  

A Big Thank You

To everyone who showed up, shared a story, attended a gathering, partnered with us, funded our work, or simply believed in the power of storytelling, thank you from the deep wells of our hearts. 

Kahanee is still young, and every milestone this year was possible because you chose to walk with us. We are deeply grateful to be building this story together. We look forward to next year!