Board of Directors

Born and raised in the suburbs of northwest Winnipeg, Kenneth has a deep passion for the history of his community. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Minor in Political Studies. After moving a few minutes south to the historic neighborhood of Seven Oaks in 2022, he began dedicating thousands of hours to researching and sharing the area’s stories and founded the Seven Oaks Historical Society. His work can be found through historical walking tours for events like Jane’s Walk and Doors Open Winnipeg, his blog Stories of Scotia, and videos for the Seven Oaks Historical Society. He is also a board member of Heritage Winnipeg where he helps to preserve the built heritage around the city. In his professional life as an educator, he uses his experience and research to create engaging lessons that spark curiosity and inspire a lasting love of history in students.

Jim Smith is a passionate historian and community leader dedicated to preserving Winnipeg’s heritage. As the President and founder of the North East Winnipeg Historical Society, established in 2008, he has spent nearly 25 years documenting the histories of East Kildonan, North Kildonan, and Elmwood. Smith’s efforts include creating an extensive online archive, offering walking tours, publishing books, and developing teaching tools.

Over the years, Smith has achieved several notable milestones. He has been member of the Manitoba Historical Society and served on the board of the Seven Oaks House Museum. In 2022, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, followed by the Winnipeg 150 Medal in 2024 for his significant contributions to the community. Smith has been a member of the board of Heritage Winnipeg since 2023 and is currently a director with the Miles MacDonell Collegiate Alumni Association.

Heather Milan grew up in North Kildonan and has strong ties to the Seven Oaks area, where much of her family lived and where she now owns a home. A 2022 graduate of the University of Manitoba, Heather earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and has since built a career specializing in emergency room and neonatal intensive care. When she’s not working, she enjoys reading and tending to her two cats.