President David Soper opened the meeting with our Land Acknowledgement, and the singing of O Canada.

Chair Announcements

Rotarian Tsungai Muvingi Van Landeghem was interviewed and had her photo in today’s Winnipeg Free Press. She is advocating for Manitoba’s Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act.

President David talked about the email the District 5550 board received from RI, and our board’s response. This is a very important issue. They have changed the DEI committee’s name to Enhancing Participant Engagement Committee. This is a direct attack on Rotary values and your board has informed RI that we will not make the change as they requested. You can read Brian Rusch’s response here.

The change is a response to the US administration’s demand that unless the language is changed, the RI Foundation will lose its charitable status in the US.

President David also had an email from Frank Cosway looking for support for MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) to be held at CMU on May 1st and 2nd 2026. Rotary clubs are invited to sponsor one or more delegations, and/or recruit participants.

Past President Cathy introduced our guest speaker, Chris Dolinski, Executive Director of Prairie Strides. This evening we welcome Christina Dolinski, Executive Director of Prairie Strides.

Prairie Strides provides horseback riding based therapy for children with disabilities. Christina will tell you about the big picture, but I’ll share my own experience.

Cathy: My daughter, Valerie, was born with multiple disabilities. She rode for three years and it benefited her immensely. She is an animal lover, and there is something truly magical about riding a horse. It improved her physical muscle tone, and her mental health tone. And made the other Girl Guiders in her group insanely jealous because Valerie was the only one in the group to earn an equestrian badge.

The parents of children with spasticity shared how profoundly improved their children’s muscle tone was as well. Horses, as we have also learned from the former Urban Stables, are amazing medicine.

Chris: Prairie Strides, formerly known as Manitoba Riding for the Disabled, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Many events are planned, so keep your eye on their website or social media.

Prairie Strides provides two sessions of riding (spring & fall) as well as an advanced program. They also do a summer camp that includes off-site outings.

They need 2,000+ volunteer hours for the basic riding program alone.

Prairie Strides was featured in today’s Winnipeg Free Press, on the Philanthropy page.

Chris encouraged us to support this valuable program through donations, volunteering, or taking part in fundraising events. You can learn more on their website: Prairie Strides, Inc.

Lloyd shared that his granddaughter in Ottawa, who lives with cerebral palsy, took part in a therapeutic riding program when she was younger and it was very helpful as well as enjoyable for her.

Sarge Jack introduced our two guests, Keith Morris and Chris Dolinski.

Happy Bucks

• Cathy was happy to have attended the charter meeting of the Winnipeg Golden Rotary Club this past Saturday. It was an inspiring evening with an excellent dinner.
• David S. took his dog to Little Mountain Park yesterday and enjoyed the mild temperature.
• Pedro was happy to be back attending meetings after his job kept him away for awhile.
• Ed Thompson is happy for the warm temperatures, and happy that by the time it turns cold again he will be in Mexico.

50/50

Elaine had the lucky tickets and found the blue (and only remaining) marble.

For the good of Rotary

Dave Morris reminded everyone that he continues to collect beer cans and bottles for PolioPlus.

Cathy shared that Nancy Cosway and others are planning a fundraising concert for End Polio Now, likely in October. Help will be needed. Talk to Cathy if you think you might like to be involved.

Next week

Next week’s speaker also had her picture in the Winnipeg Free Press this week. Melissa Martin, reporter and columnist for the WFP, spent 2 ½ years in Ukraine witnessing the war. She gained an intimate understanding of what life is like for Ukrainians and will share this with us.

Remember that guests are always welcome at our meetings. You almost certainly know someone who would like to hear Melissa’s story. Please invite them to join us.