Lach Voted Our Manitoba 2026 Photo Contest Winner

L to R: Debbie Strelczik (Loans Officer, Sunrise Credit Union) presenting Our MB winner, Donna Lach with a canvas of her winning picture.

Sunrise Credit Union has just wrapped up the 2026 edition of the Our Manitoba Photo Contest, with  Donna Lach being crowned the winner. 

A panel of Sunrise staff selected 30 finalists from approximately 650 entries – the highest number to date.  In April, Sunrise hosted a week-long public vote on the finalists through the ourmanitoba.org website,  with Lach’s photo Inukshuk at the Shore receiving the majority of votes and claiming the top spot. 

After learning about the inukshuk and how it can be a symbol of guidance, community, and survival, Lach  became intrigued by it. “When I went to Churchill for the first time, to take photos of the aurora with a  group of people in 2022, I saw this icon standing on the shore of Hudson Bay. It was “showing the way”. I  was thrilled for the opportunity to capture this incredible icon on Treaty 5 land in Churchill, with the  aurora behind it,” said Lach.

Winning the 2026 edition of the Our Manitoba Photo Contest has been amazing, Lach says, “I am so very  honoured to have my photo selected by the people of Manitoba. I really am flabbergasted. Thank you for  this opportunity!” 

A passionate photographer for over 50 years, Lach always has had at least one camera. “Manitoba is such  a beautiful province, I think mostly I love to capture the scenes, the flora and fauna, and candid shots (of  people) that will tell a story,” Lach shared.  

For years, Lach has been capturing the aurora borealis, and since 2019, she has contributed to  Aurorasaurus, a NASA-sponsored citizen-science project, as well as Skywarden in Finland. These  platforms let enthusiasts and researchers track, document, and study auroras in real time. “It’s all  volunteer work,” Lach explains, “but I’ve been invited to take part in projects that study the aurora. I have  sold a few prints because people ask, but my main focus is sharing my photos with others online.” 

All 12 finalists will receive a canvas print of the winning photograph, be featured in the 2026 Sunrise  Credit Union calendar, and have their work showcased on Sunrise Credit Union’s branch TVs and social  media channels. In addition, Lach claimed the Grand Prize: a $500 One-Year Term Deposit from Sunrise  Credit Union. 

The 2026 contest marked the 14th edition of the Our Manitoba Photo Contest. Lach was announced as the  grand prize winner on Monday, May 12 – coinciding with Manitoba Day. Experiencing Manitoba through  the eyes of our talented participants continues to inspire and delight everyone at Sunrise Credit Union.