The Rural Municipality of Dauphin will terminate its participation in the Dauphin Recreation Services (DRS) Agreement, effective Dec. 31.

According to Reeve Ernie Sirski, the City of Dauphin and its council has stated in the past that the RM has not contributed its fair share to DRS, while the RM has stated it has always been committed to recreation in and around the Parkland.

“The RM maintains and continues to develop recreation in our immediate vicinity - Keld Park, Sifton Beach, Stoney Point, where a new bathroom and shower facility has just been completed,” he said, adding the RM has provided a grant to the Dauphin Derailleurs Cycle Club for the past four years to support the maintenance of its trail system located in the RM.

“This is over and beyond the funding that has been provided to DRS since an agreement signed with the City of Dauphin in 2017,” Sirski said.

As per the current funding agreement, the RM has contributed $218,350.50 to DRS operations in 2022, $303,890.50 in 2023 and $313,309.76 in 2024.

In 2022, the RM also contributed $16,155, along with $29,942 in 2023 and has committed to $106,800 this year to capital repairs and replacements, as requested by DRS, Sirski said..

In total, the RM is contributing roughly 15 per cent of the budgeted net expenses this year, while the City will pay approximately 85 per cent.

“As you can see, we have contributed to the overall funding of DRS,” Sirski said, adding they have attempted to reach a new agreement with the City in a collaborative manner, not through ultimatums.

“The funding of the DRS has been an ongoing discussion since the agreement was signed in 2017. We are prepared to negotiate an agreement that benefits both of our municipalities if the city so chooses,” Sirski said.

However, the RM, he added, is not prepared to accept a per capita funding model.

Read more in this weeks edition of the Dauphin Herald.

It was a long battle, but Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Dan Mazier has helped to level the playing field in Canada’s telecommunications landscape.

After more than three years of extensive work, cross-party negotiations, and navigating the parliamentary process, the Senate officially passed Mazier’s private Member’s bill (C-288) that amends the Telecommunications Act to force internet companies to disclose transparent and accurate information on the speeds they sell Canadians.

“For too long, Canadians have been purchasing internet services at sky-high prices only to realize the quality and speed they expected to receive is nowhere near what they actually receive,” Mazier said.

“This is because the government has allowed internet companies to advertise speeds Canadians may never receive.”

Bill C-288 will force internet companies to disclose accurate speeds that reflect what a consumer is most likely to obtain instead of a maximum theoretical speed. Currently, internet companies use language such as “up to” when advertising their service quality, leading consumers to believe a service will be better than it actually is.

“A lack of accurate information when choosing an internet service can result in consumers overpaying, user complaints, and not purchasing the best-fit service. It also reduces overall service quality within the telecom industry,” Mazier said.

Telecommunication experts and advocacy organizations across Canada rallied behind Mazier’s bill from the beginning, helping garner support for the legislation from all political parties.

Read the full story in this weeks Dauphin Herald.

When a loved one gets sick, it takes the strength of friends, family and loved ones to help them get through this, and sadly that isn’t always enough. MacKenzie MacLeod received some devastating and heartbreaking news that her brother, Robert MacLeod, is in the fight of his life and needed her help.
“In late April 2024, my brother Robert who is 26 years old, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) with an FLT3 gene mutation, which is a very aggressive form of blood cancer that requires intensive long-term radiation, chemotherapy, and an allogeneic stem cell and bone marrow transplant, once a donor is identified,” said MacKenzie. “This cancer is very dangerous, and without a transplant, Robert has 29 percent survivability beyond five years.
“His wife, Ashley, is 35 weeks pregnant and they have a young daughter, MacKinley who is under the age of five. Robert has been admitted to the University of Alberta Hospital and is still fighting to achieve remission. This cancer is fast-acting and his prognosis is poor. The goal is to get his body into remission so that he may be healthy enough to be transferred to Winnipeg, where he can receive the exact kind of treatment needed for this particular blood cancer.
“My brother is larger than life, literally,” said MacKenzie. “He stands over six feet tall, has broad shoulders, is physically strong, mentally tough, and has been hard working to support his family. He possesses the vigour inherent in young adults with their entire lives ahead of them. Robert is an avid outdoorsman, hunting, trail quadding, boating and smoking meat.
“Robert had just begun his application to the RCMP days before his diagnosis. His dream was to be an RCMP officer, raise his children in Minitonas, and live a life full of love, adventure and memories. Today, while Robert accepts his fate and mentally prepares to go to war against this blood cancer, he shares how when he finally returns home to Minitonas, cancer-free, he looks forward to driving truck for Rick Bresky and keeping his life simple and close to home.
“Since cancer entered our lives at the end of April, my brother told me, he just wants to get better so he can be a good father to his children, a good husband to his wife, and he will never leave home again,” said MacKenzie “As cancer does its work and the medical team tirelessly works to save his life, Robert understands that this is an insidious illness and he has a long gruelling battle between him and recovery. We are terrified, sickened with the fear of losing him, his life cut short at 26 when our social laws of nature dictate, that he is to have a long happy life, not fighting for tomorrow in a hospital bed hundreds of miles from home.”
Not only has MacKenzie been an emotional support to her brother, but she is taking it a step further to raise funds and future support for any family from the area, who may have the unfortunate experiences her brother is currently going through.
“This diagnosis immediately halted our lives,” said MacKenzie. “We as a family, discussed how we could logistically position ourselves to protect and support Robert and his family while ensuring his best medical outcome. It was clear that money and safe-adequate-affordable housing close to HSC where he must receive multiple treatments of chemotherapy and radiation each day are our greatest barriers. Robert is unable to work due to his terminal illness and Ashley, on maternity leave, has been a dedicated mother and wife never leaving her husband’s side. As a young couple with a little girl and another on the way, they are struggling with a number of challenges that jeopardize their ability to fully focus on accessing lifesaving cancer care.
“I asked my brother when I returned home upon the news on compassionate leave from the Army where I was posted to CFB Gagetown, NB, ‘How do you need me to be here for you?’ He responded, that he needed me to care for Ashley, MacKinley, and the baby while he goes for treatment. He said they’re all going to really need me and that’s what he needed me to do. I told him that I wouldn’t ever leave him and promised I would always be there for them. I’ve got my brother.”
“In 2010, I ran 450 km solo in nine days from Dauphin to Winnipeg, to raise funds for Wounded Warriors and help educate Canadians on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how best to support their soldiers returning from combat who may be battling with invisible psychological injuries,” said MacKenzie. “My Wounded Warrior Run was a huge success, having raised over $30k in donations.
“I intend to adopt the same approach to help raise medical funds to secure long-term safe, secure housing for families from Swan River, Minitonas, Kenville, and Bowsman to empower other families who may be faced with similar hardships as my brother to facilitate their access to lifesaving care in Winnipeg. My vision is to name this house after my brother.
“The MacLeod House will ensure community members have access to lifesaving cancer care while keeping the family together, including their pets, so they can focus on fighting for tomorrow with dignity and respect,” said MacKenzie. “Politically, we know that safe, secure and affordable housing is a significant critical issue in Canada, however, within the scope of universal healthcare, this prevents individuals and their families from actually accessing universal lifesaving cancer care. This is a human rights issue far beyond my brother. I intend to rally tons of attention, energy, support and ultimately make this vision a reality in my brother’s honour.
“Currently, this is in the brainstorming stages, but I intend to create and conduct a bike-by-relay called, Cycle for Cancer Care. This relay will start from the front door of my brother’s house in Minitonas and will end at the front doors of the Health Science Centre (HSC) in Winnipeg, to raise funds to help support my vision to secure The MacLeod House.
“My small relay team is composed of veterans and soldiers who are volunteering their time and their bodies to Cycle for Cancer Care, which will be attached to a non-profit that I intend to create called, Robert MacLeod - #Fighting4Tomorrow,” said MacKenzie. “All funds donated will be evenly divided between my brother, Robert MacLeod, to help support his medical expenses and the other funds will be used to put a down payment on a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a fenced yard for children and pets to play located close to the HSC.
“I’m still connecting with organizations within town to attempt to partner the house so that it will be privately maintained long into the future and available to our people when they need it most. The goal is to ensure no other family from our communities ever has to struggle to keep their family together while they fight for tomorrow.”
Along with MacKenzie’s fundraising efforts, there have been some local initiatives to help out Robert and his family during these unfortunate circumstances. There are a variety of ways for people in the Valley to help out.
“The Minitonas Motor Hotel is hosting a meat draw as a medical fundraiser for Robert MacLeod on June 22 from 7 to 9 p.m.,” said MacKenzie. “Tickets are 3 for $5. Special thank you to Misty who is organizing and hosting this event to help raise funds that will go directly to Robert’s family to aid with expenses as he fights AML.
“There is a GoFundMe page organized by Paige Berlinguette entitled, “Help the MacLeod family fight leukemia” and the Swan River Credit Union is set to receive donations directly into Robert’s chequing account. Eventually, Cycle for Cancer Care Relay will be another mechanism for additional support.
“I’m asking for any local businesses and clubs to approach me directly should they wish to partner with The MacLeod House, as I will need that residence to be managed long-term,” said MacKenzie. “Additionally, my team is looking for additional volunteers to cycle from Minitonas to Winnipeg, with the trip broken into four days.
“Also, I’m looking for an RV for those days with or without a driver, so that my small team has shelter while we Cycle for Cancer. I respect that not everyone can cycle and I invite motorbike owners to approach me if they would also like to be included in the event as this is accessible to everyone and anyone who wishes to volunteer their time. Please continue to pray for Robert and his family. This is going to be a very long gruelling haul; we appreciate everyone and anyone who has and will continue to lend their support.”

The Swan River Valley Agricultural Society’s grandstands are getting an overdue facelift. Workers began the process of repainting the Swan River landmark last week. 

Roblin Forest Products, one of Manitoba’s oldest forest products companies founded in 1958, has started the week off under new ownership.

RFP has been acquired by Bell Lumber and Pole, a company with an extensive history in the industry that goes back over a hundred years and several generations.

Read the rest of the story in this week’s Review.

One Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) student travelled out of province to compete in this year’s National Skills Competition. Namirembe Afatsawo placed at the provincial level this year, which earned her a spot to compete nationally.
“The National Skills Competition took place from May 30 and 31,” said Afatsawo. “I travelled to Quebec City for the competition, thanks to The Pas Legion, Monette Farms, The Pas Legion Ladies Auxiliary and The Pas Rotary Club as supporters.”

The Sam Waller Museum has lined up a Home Routes concert that will bring an evening of songs and stories that celebrate the history of Indigenous people in Manitoba. Musicians Ted Longbottom, Ryan D’Aoust and Daniel Koulack will be performing on Sunday, June 16.
For musician Daniel Koulack, his love of music drew him in as a child and he continued on with it into his adult years.
“As a little kid, when I got to see and hear people playing music in person especially at home or at a party it was like magic to me,” said Koulack. “I started playing violin lessons when I was seven years old.

University College of the North (UCN) had the vision to have a work of art embodying the Seven Sacred Teachings on the grounds of their campuses. The sculpture will serve as a place for people to gather.
“UCN worked with architect Ted Maciurzynski to create the sculpture,” said UCN Communications and Events Coordinator Jackie Rechenmacher. “The sculptures focus on creating culturally appropriate gathering spaces at the two main campuses in The Pas and Thompson.
“Each sculpture features the importance of the Seven Sacred Teachings: Wisdom, Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility and Truth that guide UCN’s vision of building better futures for a stronger north. The sculpture is the focus of the gathering space, featuring seven pieces of varying sizes of stainless steel that curve inward at the top.

An Ethelbert man is in custody in connection with a recent arson in that community.
In the early morning hours of June 1, Dauphin RCMP responded to a report of an arson at a residence located on Railway Avenue in Ethelbert.
An occupant of the residence reported hearing noises outside her window and when she looked outside, observed a fire on the outside corner of her home. She observed a male suspect running away from the scene.
The woman, along with her three children, exited the home without injury.
The local fire department, attended the scene and extinguished the fire. Minor damage was reported.
Officers made patrols in the area failed to locate the suspect. A description of the suspect was provided which allowed officers to identify the man.
Later that day, police went to a property, located north of Ethelbert, and arrested a 54-year-old man for arson.
Upon his arrest, officers located three knives and a hatchet in his possession.
Marc Andre Dorais, of Ethelbert, has been charged with arson with disregard for human life, criminal harassment, mischief, possess ion of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and three counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
He was remanded into custody for a court appearance in Brandon.
Murder update
Police have officially charged a suspect in connection with a double homicide in Minegoziibe Anishinabe, June 2.
Oryan Flamand, 19, a community resident, is facing two charges of second degree murder related to the shooting deaths of a 34-year-old man and a 52 -year-old woman. He remains in custody.
The investigation continues.

Assiniboine Community College (ACC) Parkland Campus held its graduation ceremony, Friday at Credit Union Place, to celebrate the 66 graduates comprising the Class of 2024.
Following opening remarks from Parkland Campus director Carol Stewart and greetings from ACC president Mark Frison, graduate Joana Ribagorda gave the Valedictorian speech.
After thanking the Valedictorian Selection Committee for giving her the opportunity, Ribagorda had her fellow graduates give themselves a pat on the back for making it this far and encouraged them to congratulate those sitting beside them, as well.
Ribagorda then had the graduates face their family and friends in attendance to thank them and encouraged the graduates to give themselves a round of applause.
Ribagorda began her speech noting that everyone has a favourite children’s book, one of hers being Oh! The Places You'll Go, by Dr. Seuss.
“Allow me to convey to you how the small tales we hear contribute to the beauty we witness and encounter both on and off campus. They enable us the opportunity to learn from someone else, which gives us the power to alter, reinforce, or question our preconceived notions and ideals,” she said.
In the hopes that her fellow graduates may remember the little stories they came across during their own journey, Ribagorda then shared a couple of stories that shaped her ACC experience.
“In 2022, when COVID was still around the corner, my brother asked me if I was willing to pursue the social service worker program here in Dauphin. I have seen some friends and loved ones pass away. Scared that I may not see him again if COVID continues, I agreed. He is also a graduating today, by the way,” she said, adding she then moved from the Philippines to Dauphin to be closer to her brother and his family.
Ribagorda noted their aunt, one of their primary role models, was a former social worker in the Philippines and she decided to follow in her aunt’s footsteps by becoming a social worker and make a difference in other people’s lives.
“But at the back of my mind, being an international student, a newbie in Canada, I wondered if I would survive the fear and challenges of culture shock, extreme weather conditions, academic pressure, financial burden and social isolation,” she said.
“But the good news is that to date, this Filipina has lived in Dauphin for 639 days.”
Most of the time, Ribagorda continued, we connect faith with a rigid religious conviction, but we also frequently forget that having faith also means having total confidence and trust in both oneself and other people.
“Even though we frequently fail to see our own potential, we eventually have the confidence to accept our abilities, because someone else has placed their trust in us. It might be our parents who worked extremely hard to get us into one of the top Canadian colleges, which we now call our alma mater, or it might be our spouses, partners, friends, classmates or other students who supported us at every turn,” she said.
“It could be our instructors, mentors or administrators who took the time to know our stories and shared their own. To everyone who poured their faith on us, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
The second tale, Ribagorda said, centered on a devoted wife, a mother of three, a fantastic chef, and an exceptional student.
“Her name is Blessing. When someone needed a place to stay, she never hesitated to offer her place. I knew because my fellow worker was the one who found shelter. I was able to comprehend the true meaning of ACC leadership through this story: selfless servants who willingly help,” she said.
“Serving others comes more from a sense of obligation than from self-interest. Since strangers are also individuals in need of our help, we go above and beyond to help them. Fellow graduates, as we leave this college, let us keep this principle close to our hearts.
“I still remember this statement from a chat I once had with Elder Bev at the student lounge. She said that like a soft wind, kindness has the capacity to cheer us up, heal our hearts and shine light into the dark corners of our existence. Therefore, let us build compassionate structures, put understanding bridges in place, and plant seeds of love. We transform ordinary situations into remarkable memories by these small gestures, making us become alchemists.”
These brief tales, which Ribagorda said originally made up a small portion of her college experience, nevertheless perfectly captured the essence of her academic journey - one of faith, service and kindness.
“I want you to reflect on and value the various stories you have heard and the influence they have had, and will continue to have, on your life today. It could be a straight forward account of a lunch date or an after-class get-together, or it could be about the A+ you and your project partners achieved after many sleepless nights. These stories, for whatever reason, have shaped who we are now,” she said.
“Look around you. There are faces we recognize and faces we don’t, but one tale unites us all and forges an unbreakable bond between us as people today. This is the story of how we reached a goal for which we have worked incredibly hard. After reaching this goal, our stories of achievement, failure, uncertainty, and hope will never be the same.
“My fellow graduates, let us carry with us and share the stories of our college experiences wherever we go. Let us keep crafting, daring and brave stories that showcase the finest versions of ourselves - not for our own fame and benefit, but rather to uplift and influence people around us. Stories that portray life in the only manner we know how to best educate minds, touch hearts and change lives can help us all contribute to creating a better society.”
Ribagorda closed with an excerpt from Dr. Seuss’ Oh! The Places You'll Go. 
Congratulations! 
Today is your day. 
You're off to Great Places! 
You’re off and away! 
You’ll be on your way up! 
You’ll be seeing great sights! 
You’ll join the high fliers 
Who soar to high heights. 
Kid, you’ll move mountains! 
So . . . get on your way!
Here is the Class of 2024.
Adult Learning and Upgrading Programs
Mature Student High School - Delaney Brunelle, Tammy Chief, Davin Heroux, Alex Lavallee, Darcy Malcolm, Deyja-Bree Manoakeesick, *Dana Mingo, *Ceejay Oakley, *Courtney Seitter, Jacob Vermeylen and Richard Yarema.
STRIVE Succeeding in the Work World - Document of Achievement - Jouel Brazeau, Shanye Delorme, Skye Delorme, Brody Ferland-Ironstand, Darrell Gaouette, Damian Gaouette, Napolean Johnston, Murray Pashe, Caity Richard, Martha Richard, Megan Stilborn, Lacey Stilborn, Patrick Sutton and Brittany Swan.
Peters School of Business
Business Administration: Accounting Diploma - Samantha Horvat, *Stevie Kay, Sebastian Keewatin and *Paul Rehaluk.
Business Administration: Human Resource Management Diploma - Judy Levasseur, Jacelynn McDonald and Dustin McKay.
Russ Edwards School of Agriculture and Environment
Horticultural Production Certificate - *Natalie Gabriel, *Jacqueline Hanke, Audrey Klyne, Madison Mazier, Willow Menard and *Lukas Serafin.
School of Health and Human Services
Early Childhood Education Diploma - *Charlene Campbell, *Sabrina Conrad, Alyssa Corbel, *Champagnee Delaronde, Skye Haluka, *Kristyn McNarland and *Adele Oshawee.
Social Service Worker Diploma - *Kesha Chartrand, *Blessing Chukwunonso, *Jennifer Coombs, *Taylor Gaudry, *Tatayana Genaille, *Stephanie Kropelnicki, *Joana Ribagorda and *MacKenzie Szymesko.
School of Nursing
Comprehensive Health Care Aide Certificate - *Kyra Campbell, *Ethan Dumas, *Sophie Kaminski, *Katie Kothlow, *Savannah Kovach, *Zoe Lewandoski, *Kaylee Robinson and *Whitney Wray.
Comprehensive Health Care Aide Challenge Certificate - Jojit Lusung.
School of Trades
Heavy Equipment Operation Certificate of Achievement - Jakob Dewarle, Joshua McKay, Carter Sahulka and Sage Thompson-Roulette.
* Graduating with distinction/honours.
Kristyn McNarland received the Governor General’s Academic Medal, which is awarded for overall academic excellence to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level, post-secondary program.
Blessing Chukwunonso received the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal Award. Students awarded this medal are nominated by any combination of three staff and students and are selected based on academic and technical ability, participation in college or community activities, as well as having good character and personality.
Sebastian Keewatin, Judy Levasseur, McNarland, Audrey Klyne, Deyja-Bree Manoakeesick and Taylor Gaudry were all awarded the One to Watch Graduation Award.