Upcoming Fundraisers for River Valley Resilience Retreat

Jun 12, 2025 | 9:08 AM

River Valley Resilience Retreat presents Daniel Sundahl and Boots, Badges and Fiddles: a Dinner and Dance Fundraiser to Remember.

As we’re heading towards the halfway mark of River Valley Resilience Retreat’s PTSD Awareness Month, we are thrilled to announce an exciting weekend starting with RVRR’s Resilience Responders with these two amazing events.

RVRR’s RESILIENCE RESPONDERS WITH DANIEL SUNDAHL on Friday, June 13th.

Published artist & author DANIEL SUNDAHL will be sharing and networking with First

Responders, Public Safety Personnel, Frontline Workers and Veterans from 2-4PM this Friday at Cornerstone Free Methodist Church (the venue for RVRR’s Weekly Peer Support Meetings).

Guests are encouraged to arrive in uniform and form part of the special group photograph that will be taken to commemorate RVRR’s PTSD Awareness Month.

RVRR’s BOOTS, BADGES & FIDDLES DINNER & DANCE FUNDRAISER on

Saturday, June 14th kicks off at 5:30 PM and promises unforgettable entertainment featuring the acclaimed Dean Smith Band, with special guests Freddie Pelletier, Brian Sklar and Larry at the St Louis Community Hall in St Louis, SK.

This exciting event is all about bringing the community together for a night of music, dancing, and delicious food in support of a great cause.

Tickets for the BOOTS, BADGES & FIDDLES DINNER & DANCE FUNDRAISER are now available for purchase! Each ticket includes admission, a mouth-watering roast beef supper and an evening of dancing to live music.

In addition to dinner and dancing, attendees will have the chance to participate in the NOT-SO-SILENT AUCTION featuring exciting items up for bid. Whether you’re coming solo, with friends, or as a group, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

RIVER VALLEY RESILIENCE RETREAT is a registered charitable organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of Public Safety Personnel, First Responders & Frontline Workers, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, and their families.

All proceeds from BOOTS, BADGES & FIDDLES DINNER & DANCE will go directly towards funding our programming.

Grab your advance tickets today and join us for an evening of music, fun, and community spirit! Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at https://rvrrsk.ca/bbf/ or via etransfer to tickets@rvrrsk.ca.

Individual Tickets $ 45

Party of 4 Tickets $180 (includes shared reserved table)

Group of 8 Tickets $333 (includes a specially reserved table)

Don’t miss the BOOTS, BADGES & FIDDLES DINNER & DANCE FUNDRAISER – an

evening of fantastic live music, delicious food, and great company – all for a cause that truly matters.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

RIVER VALLEY RESILIENCE RETREAT

Jeff Reeder, jeff@rvrrsk.ca, 306 961-2671

Michelle McKeaveney, michelle@rvrrsk.ca, 306 981-6083

About Daniel Sundahl

Daniel Sundahl (DanSun) is an artist and writer with four art books to his name. His work has been featured in many international publications and is exhibited globally.

Daniel is a registered counselling therapist with the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association, an advanced care paramedic, and a retired firefighter. He is also the president and founder of The Recovery and Resiliency Foundation, a charity that supports people dealing with trauma symptoms.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Daniel has lived and taught English in Egypt, Mexico, Indonesia, and Japan. He now works full-time as an artist, counsellor, and public speaker. Much of his art focuses on emergency services, drawing from his experiences as a paramedic and firefighter. He is dedicated to reducing the stigma around PTSD for first responders and uses his art to raise awareness about occupational stress injuries.

Daniel loves blending the technical and artistic aspects of his work. Each piece can take days or weeks to complete to his satisfaction.

He began initiatives for First Responders’ mental wellness after visiting peers in Australia, Finland, and Mississippi. Daniel frequently travels, drawing inspiration for his art from his journeys.

For more about Daniel and his work, visit www.dansunphotos.com.

About the Dean Smith Band

Dean Smith is a member of the Prince Albert Police Service, and a skilled fiddle player from Prince Albert, has been entertaining audiences for 16 years with his focus on Métis and old-time music.

As the founder of the Dean Smith Band, Dean is a familiar presence at Métis festivals around Prince Albert, performing for crowds in places like Batoche and Big River. For Boots, Badges & Fiddles, joining Dean Smith on the fiddle will be Boyd Falconer on bass, Craig Williams on drums, and Freddie Pelletier on lead guitar.

Dean’s music continues to captivate listeners from far and wide. With a talented group of musicians and a commitment to traditional music, Dean Smith is an important figure in the world of fiddle performance.

About Freddie Pelletier

Freddie plays lead acoustic and electric guitar and sings, showcasing his FrenchCanadian roots by clogging while playing guitar. Freddie’s humor adds a fun and entertaining element to his shows, ensuring the audience has a great time.

About Brian Sklar

Brian Sklar, one of Canada’s most celebrated country music performers, has earned recognition as a top-tier entertainer in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Brian Sklar and The Tex Pistols offer a lively experience that blends classic country sounds with a modern energy, making their performances unforgettable.

About Larry Krause

Throughout the years, Larry has entertained audiences across Saskatchewan,

Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island with his traditional Western, Cowboy, and Country Gospel music. His performances have consistently drawn crowds, whether he’s headlining major events like the Grandstand shows, Dauphin’s Countryfest, and the Calgary Stampede, or playing in small town halls and at agricultural fairs. Even around a campfire after a long day of cowboy work, Larry’s passion for music shines through, always leaving listeners satisfied.

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