Governing Council

Cathy, a proud member of the Métis community, has taught at the early, middle, and high school levels in Manitoba. She has also served as a School Principal, a Language Arts Consultant, and an Area Superintendent with Frontier School Division. A retired educator with over 40 years of experience working with children and families in a collaborative and supportive manner, allows her to bring these assets to the UCN Governing Council. Her knowledge of the provincial, and northern educational landscape is broad and varied. Cathy's experience with human resources, financial and project management, program development, and the complex operation of overseeing a "home away from home high school" with a full campus operation allows her to understand the reality of serving the full range of supports necessary for student success.

Cathy has a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Graduate Diploma in Education from Brandon University. She holds a Level One and Two School Administrators Certificate from Manitoba Education. Currently, Cathy plays an active role on a number of Boards including Community Futures Greenstone, Metis Child and Family Services Authority, Louis Riel Institute and the Cranberry Portage Child Family Resource Centre. Cathy is also the Vice-Chair of the Cranberry Portage MMF Local. 

Cathy is a lifelong Northerner who has a passion for the people and environment. She fills her free time travelling with her husband and enjoying time with her adult children and young grandchildren, including sharing with them her love of our region and all it has to offer.

Pam Marsden is Bit’ah’nii (Within His Cover), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water) a proud member of both the Navajo Nation (Diné) from New Mexico and Swan Lake First Nation, Treaty #1. Her strong roots and sense of adventure have led her to northern Manitoba where she currently resides in Flin Flon.
 
Pam has spent her career communicating with different sectors including, education, health, and Indigenous politics. She currently holds the position of Indigenous Liaison Officer with Hudbay Minerals. It is within this role that she shares her enriched culturally humbled approach to reach Indigenous communities to create relationships, partnerships, and overall success for northerners.
 
Pam has invested time in board experience with the Mining Association of Manitoba, Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre, and several Indigenous committees.

“I’m excited to contribute my experience and knowledge as an Indigenous woman who plays an important role in achieving positive results in communities, and now will have two campuses to work with", said Marsden.

Dr. Anthony McInnis is the City Manager (CAO) for the City of Thompson, where he was born and raised. 

Dr. McInnis completed his PhD in Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. His doctoral thesis was focused on the application of ecological design & engineering in the mining field, and was entitled “An Ecomimetic Approach to Testing Biodegradation: The Treatment and Fate of the Alkanolamine 2-[(2-Aminoethyl)amino]Ethanol.” Dr. McInnis also holds a Master of Science from the University of Plymouth (UK), and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba. 

He has held previous roles in Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs; as an Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont; and an Environmental Analyst with INCO Ltd (now Vale Canada). 

He is currently serving various board and committee roles on the Northern Health Foundation, and the Thompson Community Development Corporation.

Sheila North, a member of the Bunibonibee Cree Nation is a Mother, Kookom, former ICMP Canada Director of Missing Children, Residential Schools and Engagement, a former CBC host and journalist, CTV Political Commentator, Entrepreneur, and Cree Translator. In 2015 to 2018, Sheila became the first female Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and continues to provide leadership on issues impacting Indigenous people, including the  issue of MMIWG and shares perspectives on intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools. Sheila currently serves on six Boards.

Chris Reddy is currently retired and occasionally does some consulting work. Prior to moving to Thompson, Chris was working for the City of Winnipeg. He has over 25 years of work experience in the north with over two decades in post secondary. He has been in senior administration in various roles such as Executive Director, Administrative Coordinator, Manager, Institutional Researcher, and VP Strategic Services and Development. Chris finished his career with UCN as Acting Chief Administrative Officer. He is currently involved with the Thompson Coop Board and Thompson Community Development Corporation Board. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Manitoba, BSc from University of Winnipeg, BGS from Brandon University, and many developmental courses including Aboriginal Law. He is a strong believer in education for the north and providing it close to home. Mr. Reddy has lived in the North for over half his life and has raised two kids with his partner.

Christian was born and raised in Umperville, near The Pas, MB and is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation.  He graduated from Margaret Barbour Collegiate Institute (MBCI) in 1988 and then enrolled in the Canadian military, serving 7 years with 2 tours of duty in Cyprus (1990 Recon-2PPCLI) and Somalia (1992-93 2 Commando-Canadian Airborne Regiment).

In 1999 he co-founded the Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games and in 2002 he was the General Manager of the 2002 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Winnipeg. It was the most successful NAIG ever hosted, based on the $1.3 million surplus that was created into a scholarship program that is accessed by youth to this day. 

Christian was the recipient of Canada's Top 40 under 40 Executives in 2003, and between 2004 and 2014 he worked for various companies and communities including Tribal Council Investment Group (TCIG), the North American Indigenous Games with the Southern Ute Tribe, Denver, Colorado, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Keeyask Hydro Dam, and the Cree Regional Economic Enterprises in northern Quebec (the most successful First Nation Corporation in Canada).

In 2014 Christian completed his Masters in Project Management from University of Winnipeg, as well as Negotiations and Leadership Certificate Program from Harvard Law School.

Between 2014-2016, Christian worked as an independent business advisor.  With a wealth of knowledge and his experience earned on the battlefield and in the corporate boardroom, Christian is a highly sought-after negotiator and project manager.  He bridges the needs of industry and traditional land rights holders into mutually beneficial win-win opportunities for sustainable prosperity and lasting business partnerships for all involved for future generations. 

From 2016-2019 he was elected as Onekanew (Leader) of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and from 2019-2021 he was re-elected Onekanew Christian Sinclair, achieving many successes during this tenure. This legacy is to be experienced by OCN for generations to come.

In 2021 he was a Negotiator and Advisor to Marcel Colomb First Nation on the Lynn Lake Gold Mine Project; in 2022 a Negotiator and Advisor to Tataskweyak Cree Nation on the Keeyask Hydro Dam and future Economic Development Projects as well as an Advisor to the Marten Falls First Nation on their Strategic Planning for the Ring of Fire in northern Ontario.

Christian serves as a Board member of High Tide Cannabis trading on the Nasdaq and TSX (2019- present), and is presently operating as Christian Sinclair Consulting Services and serving on numerous boards and committees.

Today, Christian works with First Nations, Provincial and Federal leaders, as an advisor and negotiator.  His work in major resource projects will ensure socio-economic success for all parties involved.

Louise's main personal goal is to stay connected to the North and stay informed about the ongoing expansion of educational opportunities. She has always valued education and continues to strongly advocate it, especially when encouraging young people contemplating further education.

As a Red River Métis Citizen Louise has served as a Board of Director of the Manitoba Métis Federation and sat on the Finance and Tri-partite Committees. She continues to be involved with the MMF through various events and training. Louise played an active role in the community of The Pas through her employment and volunteer positions. She sat on the Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival Board of Directors where she was the Finance Chair. She volunteered for Oscar’s Place Homeless Shelter where she set up the bookkeeping system and developed a Policy Manual. Through her 21 employment years with The Pas Friendship Centre she managed many projects of which some continue to this day. Louise has 15 years of extensive traveling experience throughout Northern Manitoba to remote communities in her capacity as Student Recruitment Officer. She has demonstrated leadership skills throughout her employment and volunteer positions. 

Louise is the proud mother of 3 sons, 6 grand children, and 3 great grand children.

April Wastesicoot is a proud member of York Factory First Nation, born and raised in Northern Manitoba. She takes immense pride in living in the North and representing her Indigenous culture, which inspires her dedication to community and leadership. April is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Accounting, at the University College of the North (UCN) Thompson Campus. Now in her second year as the student representative on the UCN Governing Council, she is committed to amplifying student voices and fostering meaningful engagement. Through her academic and leadership journey, April aspires to make a positive impact on her community and serve as a role model for youth and others who are looking to follow a similar path in the future.