The association has been incorporated under The Corporations Act of Manitoba effective April 19, 2021 with the following statement of purpose: The not-for-profit association will enhance the environment, by facilitating the creation of a forest where the ashes of deceased individuals will be mingled with the roots of an existing or newly planted tree. The association will also strive to improve the social welfare of the community, as well as enhance the quality of life by creating new recreational greenspace.
The board provides the volunteer administration of the association.
Individuals who wish to purchase a tree will not be required to become members of the association. Our association is also a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
This project is being facilitated by a charitable association: Memorial Woodland of Manitoba Inc.
Taras Luchak – Chair
Currently retired, Taras has been working on this project for a number of years, and first put pen to paper with the conceptual format in 2016. A former lawyer, with 40+ years of experience consulting with, and working for, a variety of not-for-profit organizations, associations and regulatory bodies in the areas of; business development, real estate, liability insurance, construction sector training, health profession regulation, entertainment and culture. Has a history of making things happen, especially with respect to innovative and creative endeavours. Taras: “I want to be a tree in my next life”.
Reg Black – Vice-Chair
Reg Black is from the Rural Municipality of Brokenhead and the recipient of the 2020-2021 Community Futures Volunteer of the Year Award. He was born and raised on the family farm in the Beausejour area. Began his real estate career in 1995 and currently is Co-Owner/Broker for Century 21 Sun Country Realty primarily serving the Eastern Manitoba area. He has significant experience in land use and development. Reg has a lifelong history of volunteering in the community and creating initiatives that have boosted economic opportunity and social well-being within the community. Over 35 years of volunteering, Reg has had countless experiences working with different community boards, local improvement projects, and large-scale events that have had positive social and economic impacts on the community. He has also served on Provincial and National Boards and is the current President of the Brokenhead River Community Foundation.
Quinn Hunter
Quinn Hunter is a death care consultant, licensed funeral director, and owner of Hunter Funerals. Quinn holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba and earned her Certified Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation in 2012. After a decade of working corporate jobs in accounting, audit, HR compliance and risk management, Quinn decided to embark on a new career in the field of death care. Her passion is to encourage a shift towards a more death-positive culture, empowering individuals and families to plan eco-conscious, family-centered rituals that are meaningful and authentic. Quinn is excited to be involved in several local projects creating more sustainable end-of-life options for Manitobans, including the Memorial Woodland. Quinn lives in Windsor Park with her two kids and two cats. When she is not assisting the recently deceased and their loved ones, she enjoys cooking, reading, dancing and spending as much time outdoors as possible!
Romana Hur
In the past 30+ years, I have lived and worked in five foreign countries: Japan, Ukraine, China, Chile and Romania. As a Foreign Service Officer, my overseas postings focused on the assessment of applications for both temporary and permanent residence in Canada. As one can imagine, living in such varied environments and experiencing such diverse cultures have influenced my thoughts, opinions, ideas and feelings. I want my remains to contribute directly to the “circle of life” … ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Michelle Kowalchuk
Michelle is a Social Worker by profession and is currently employed with the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth as the Program Manager for Advocacy and Youth Engagement. Her work life has included a variety of roles; working in a clinical capacity with children, youth and families, program and policy development in the area of adolescent health, suicide prevention and mental health promotion and teaching Social Work in Ukraine. She has sat on various boards and committees in Manitoba including Ukrainian Canadian Congress- Manitoba Provincial Council, Beyond Borders-ECPAT Canada, The Attachment Network, and Urban Stable. Michelle is an active member of the Ukrainian community in Manitoba and Canada both through her work with CYMK-Ukrainian Orthodox Youth (national and local) and as a member of community groups like the O. Koshetz choir. Her interest in this project is fueled by her love of the outdoors and the idea that in death, we can become part of the earth that gives life to many things including a forest and its resulting ecosystem. Michelle enjoys singing, hiking, skiing, paddling, gardening, and being an actively engaged member of her community.
Nick Wagstaff – Arborist
Nick Wagstaff loves nature, but trees specifically speak to him. They have an energy that gives their surroundings a piece of tranquility and belonging. Working with trees is more of a passion than a vocation for him and it’s taken Nick on a great journey so far. He’s owned and operated his own private tree care company since 2018, and as a Certified Arborist, he’s planted and cared for thousands of trees throughout his career, and he’s very humbled to be able to work on the Memorial Woodland project.
Nick will be growing and/or supplying the trees for the Memorial Woodland, from his nursery in the RM of Springfield. Ashes can be mixed prior to planting day, in a safe environment, and delivered with the tree, or mixed on site the day of planting. The incorporation of human remains, along with the correct balancing agent, into the surrounding soil can help ensure that the tree is claiming the loved one’s atoms.
Tree selection for our environment is wide. Nick grows native trees at his nursery, with ornamentals and hybrid species available too. A consultation with him, via phone, will help select the right tree for your memorial, or if you have a specific request then he’s happy to accommodate where possible.
The planting of trees will only occur in a limited time period as determined by the arborist and the Woodland. The Memorial Woodland will not store the remains of individuals prior to planting season. The estate will need to make arrangements with the arborist for storage prior to tree planting.