Indigenous Program Advisory Committee

The Reverend Manasee Ulayuk

Rev. Manasee Ulayuk is originally from Hall Beach, Nunavut. He graduated from Arthur Turner Training School in April 2018 and was ordained a deacon in June 2018. He is married to Wilma and they have four children. Rev. Manasee has been the incumbent at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Inukjuak, Quebec since December 2018, and before that was an active member of St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral in Iqaluit.

Ellen Cook

Ellen Cook is a teacher, an Anglican and a passionate advocate for her people – the Cree of Northern Manitoba. She is an Elder, highly respected by her community and Anglican constituency.

Monica McKay

Monica McKay is from Laxgalts’ap (Greenville), British Columbia, and is a proud member of the Nisga’a Nation of the House of Heewa’a and of the Gisk’aast Pdeek (Killer Whale clan). She is the director of Aboriginal Initiatives at Toronto Metropolitan University. She served as chair of PWRDF’s Canadian Development Program committee from 1996-2001 and as a member of the PWRDF Board of Directors from 2000-2003. McKay attended numerous round tables, international conferences and Indigenous women’s encounters during her time with PWRDF. She is currently co-implementing PWRDF’s Indigenous Maternal Health and Midwifery Program on behalf of Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada), KINAL Antzetik (Mexico) and CHIRAPAQ de Culturas Andinas (Peru).

John B. Zoe

John B. Zoe (Zomadzia) is a member of the Tlicho First Nation from Behchoko, Northwest Territories. As Chief Negotiator, and with the support of a Team and Elder Advisors, Zoe was instrumental in negotiating land and self-government into the Tlicho Agreement. Zoe is currently an Advisor in the ongoing work of Implementation, Research and Indigenous knowledge Transfers related to land, language, culture and way of life.

Freda Lepine

Freda Lepine is a Cree Woman from Wabowden (Mescanakneek), Manitoba, with roots from Pimichikamak and Opaskwayak First Nations. She is a proud mother of three children and six grandchildren. She worked for the Government of Manitoba in various capacities from Coordinator to Management in Local Government Development for 19 Communities until retiring. Within three months of retirement went to work for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak INC (31 First Nations in Northern Manitoba) as a First Nation Employment and Training Coordinator/partnership networking with Industries, Companies, Agencies for our First Nation students/employers. Lepine has also been an active member of the KaKiGay Danikobidan Committee at the College of Midwifery and an active board member of the Henry Budd College of Ministry in Northern Manitoba; as well a member of ACIP for 20 years, attending most of the Sacred Circles that have been supported by PWDRF.

Dorothy Patterson

Patterson lives with her husband John, their dog Abby, and their cat, Katy. In her professional life she worked as a Registered Nurse and Health Science Instructor. She is also certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist. Patterson is of the Mohawk Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River, and a lifetime member of the Anglican Church. She is a board member of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (ACIP) serving in her second term and recently joined the PWRDF board representing ACIP. She looks forward to the new challenges this may bring.