The River Valley Resilience Retreat is located about 20 mins. south of Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Important milestones

River Valley Resilience Retreat celebrates second anniversary

Jun 5, 2024 | 5:26 PM

Gathered together in a small living room and kitchen area, a group veterans, first responders, politicians, and family members, have come together to celebrate and say thank-you.

Wednesday’s event at the River Valley Resilience Retreat marked the organization’s two year anniversary. Co-founder Michelle McKeaveney wiped away tears as she reflected on how many people they have helped and the positive connections that have been made.

“What we have seen here are unbelievable things that have occurred,” she said.

A police officer and a veteran stop for a quick chat. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Included within the 26 acres of the property is a beautiful bunkhouse, cabins, a wood shop and a number of trails. Future plans also include an equestrian area. Noting the entire look and feel of the property was developed with input from first responders, McKeaveney said it’s not her property, its theirs. She also ackowledged how the support they offer is different from what’s offered by other organizations and agencies.

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“We’re not here to say we know any better. We just simply understand people without then having to relive the trauma,” she said. “That’s what we think our gift is.”

McKeaveney noted the old mindset was you just go to work the next day, and brush off your problems because somebody else has it way worse. She explained the only way to address operational stress injuries is through compassion and connection.

“And that’s what we believe in here,” she said. “This is way bigger than us and we are so grateful.”

Michelle McKeaveney and Jeff Reeder. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Jeff Reeder is the other co-founder and noted how in the past two years they have gone from being a non-profit to a charitable status.

“We’re excited to say we are finally in the doing phase. It’s been a journey to get here”

Stressing the importance of the partnerships they have made, Reeder said they are in a position to help people from the onset of injury, through the claims process, and then with their return to work.

“Our goal is to have people go back to work and have a meaningful life and a meaningful career,” he sad.

Citing his own personal story, taking a year and a half off from work, Reeder said he was told by a counsellor he would never be a firefighter again.This year marks his 20th year in his chosen profession.

Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Among the special dignitaries in attendance was Lt. Governor Russ Mirasty and his wife Donna. Mirasty, whose career with the RCMP spanned 36 years, noted PTSD was always there.

“We knew early on that this work is challenging and would impact us in different ways and we dealt with it in different ways. Not necessarily in positive ways,” he said.

Mirasty then explained had PTSD not been brought out into the open, and without the type of peer supports offered by the River Valley Resilience Retreat, those suffering from the injury would likely be in a very different place.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

RM of Prince Albert Reeve Eric Schmalz was also in attendance and mentioned the fact that when the idea for the retreat was first raised in 2019, there were challenges related to finding a location, as neighbours and community members did not want it in their backyard and did not understand the concept of how it would help people working on the front lines.

“But I have to say when the public hearings took place, (the community members) wrapped their arms around this facility and created a home here. And for that I am very proud of our community,” he said.

Schmalz, a former RCMP officer himself, said occupational stress is not always understood, not just by the community but also by the organizations the people work for.

“So the importance of peer to peer support cannot be overstated,” he said “Just being heard means so much to the people dealing with these issues.”

Dean Blanchard is grateful for the support he has received. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Board member Dean Blanchard is also a veteran and commented when he was injured, he did not know that he was, and it took a stranger from the River Valley Resilience to inform him he was acting in his words “stupid.”

“And the reason I didn’t know how to move on from it was because I thought I was by myself,” he said, adding the emotions he was feeling had just become the norm for his day to day life.

Through his own journey at the retreat, Blanchard joked he had gone from staying in the back of a church, to a tent by the north saskatchewan river and finally a river shack. But he noted the one thing that remained consistent in his life was the people.

“I’m here today to just say thank-you,” he said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigrel.maxewwll@parrisonmedis,com

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