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.

A special day is planned to honour and remember those involved in a tragic bus crash near Carberry on the first anniversary of the accident, which left 17 people dead and eight others with significant injuries.
The event at CN Park is also being organized to unveil a memory bench provided by an anonymous donor dedicated to those killed in the accident and a monument which includes the names of all of the passengers and tells the story of that day.
“We’re going to have representation from the Province, the City, the RM of Dauphin and Ministerial Association. Then we’re going to have a tribute to the passengers and the first responders. Some of the first responders (involved in the aftermath of the crash) are coming. We have a lot coming and we’re going to honour them and then the unveiling of the monument,” said Theresa Rausch, whose mother Cathy Day died in hospital about a month after the accident.
Rausch was joined by Darlene Prytula, Lavonne Tyschinski, Patrick Furkalo and Dave Showdra - all of whom lost family members in the accident - in planning for the monument and the ceremony.
“We kind of started this, you started reaching out to each other. We got together and that’s our counseling sessions. We get together . . it was once a month, but now it’s once a week,” Rausch said.
“It’s so they’re not forgotten, to honour them.”
The monument was made possible through a grant from the province, funds raised by the Dauphin and District Community Foundation’s Support Our Seniors Fund, which was set up after the crash, contributions from the City and RM and the Dauphin Firefighters Association, as well as other donations from individuals and local businesses.
The monument was designed and manufactured by Repro Map in Dauphin, in consultation with the families of the victims, Rausch said.
The ceremony in CN Park gets underway at 2 p.m. sharp and will be followed by a tea at the Dauphin Active Living Centre, which will also offer a viewing opportunity of the event made possible by a live stream provided by Pathways Funeral Services.
The collision happened when the bus carrying Dauphin area residents to a casino near Carberry for the day was hit by a semi at the intersection of Highway 5 and the Trans-Canada Highway.
Dashcam footage reviewed by police shows the semi had the right-of-way and information was sent to the Manitoba Prosecution Service earlier this year to determine if charges should be laid.
The accident also prompted a review of the intersection by the Manitoba government, which later earmarked $12 million to upgrade the infrastructure.
A report released in January provided three potential options on how the intersection could be improved. Construction is expected to be complete in late 2026.

Users at Dauphin Recreation Services will have noticed some damage done to the facilities at the Parkland Recreation Complex.
According to DRS general manager Ryan Vanderheyden, there had been a small leak over time.
“And so we were getting our roof done. And unfortunately things happened. The company that was working on there, some of the gravel clogged up the drain,” he said.
So when the area was hit by heavy snowfall and rain a couple of weeks ago, the water could not drain off the roof.
“So we were in the process of getting that fixed and then kind of a fluke accident that happens. We should be able to get everything covered through insurance and it will be a lot of work,” Vanderheyden said.
“It will benefit us to have everything fixed right.”
At this point, there is no number value to place on the damage as it is still being examined. But Vanderheyden said a lot of things got ripped out.
“If you are in the rec. center, you’ll see that anyway in the hallway from the curlers lounge to the Aspen Kitchen had damage to it. And even some of that damage, the water was flowing so much into the rec. center that there’s stuff in our first floor that got damaged, as well.”
As for how long it will take to fix, Vanderheyden said that is a guessing game with some of the materials that may need to be ordered in.
“But with some of the other parts of the reno, just being drywall and paint, that should go relatively quick. But there would be some stuff like carpet that might be a special order,” he said.
“So we’re guessing anywhere from two months to three months.”
None of the schedules at the Kin Aquatic Centre have been interrupted by the damage.
“We’re going to have our renovations done as quickly as possible. The contractor is working hard. We look forward to getting back to normal and getting that all fixed right,” Vanderheyden said.