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Our NWFM Team

Bonita
Ledua

Executive
Director

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Bera Ledua

Director of
Community Connections

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Wes Carlisle

Director of
Administration

Deanna
Blanchard

Executive Assistant

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Joyce
Hancock

Adult Spiritual Growth

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Sue Carlisle

Adult Spiritual Growth

Heather
LeQuant

Next Generation – North

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Jeremy
Darrow

Next Generation

Joshua Wong

Registered
Psychotherapist

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Julie McKenna

Counsellor

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Kathryn Kerns

Registered Social Worker

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Alissa Keesic

Administrative Assistant – Counselling

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Lisa Edwards

Receptionist – Counselling

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Carolyn Whatley

LifeBuild Lead Counselling Intern

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Kyla Tempelman

Cooking For Life Coordinator

Karl Janzen

Ministry Partnership Coordinator

Joanita Nakimuli

Food Service / Gathering

Erika Weiher

Custodian

Dan Frick

Maintenance

Our Board of Directors

Raymond
Neckoway

Chairman

View bio

John
Condon

Vice Chairman

View bio

Janice Janssen

Board Member

Peggy
Blekkenhorst

Treasurer

View bio

John Andres

Board Member

Wes
Carlisle

Board Member

View bio

Contact Us

If you have questions about how NorthWind Family Ministries can be of help to you, or someone you know, please do not hesitate to fill out the form below and someone will be in contact with you shortly.

Building a sacred community of hope and healing.

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 10648
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V1

1-807-621-7591
info@northwindfm.org

Quick Links

Bonita Ledua

Executive Director

Bonita Ledua

Executive Director

Bonita and her husband, Bera, founded NorthWind Family Ministries, where she serves as the Executive Director and as a Marriage and Family Counsellor. God founded a calling and passion for this ministry in Bonita when she was ten years old. She began teaching children at 14, became a Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) missionary at 15, and started serving in a cross-cultural capacity at 16 with Youth With a Mission. She now brings over 30 years of experience to the ministry and has lived and worked with numerous Indigenous tribes in three provinces.

Bonita remembers her time in an isolated reserve in central British Columbia as a place of growth and of being-with others through some of their most painful experiences. Her vision to establish centres for families needing healing and hope began. Bonita and Bera, together with the local communities, established two centres: Eagle’s Nest (located in Northern Alberta) and Eagle’s Cove (outside of Thunder Bay).

Bonita completed an MA in Marriage and Family Counselling and became a registered psychotherapist. As a part of her leadership in NorthWind’s counselling centre, she leads crisis-counselling teams to Northern Indigenous communities struggling through suicide epidemics.

Bonita has a passion to equip people to care well for others. She teaches listening skills and empowers others in supportive roles. She has been teaching counselling skills to church and community leaders for over ten years.
Bonita champions whole-life growth programs and believes in the value of providing safe places for people as they heal from their hurts, develop a healthier version of themselves, and grow in their relationships with God and others.
Many years ago, Bonita said she wanted to live on the edge with God; life has never been the same! She lives out Henry Blackaby’s quote: “Look to see where God is working and join Him.”

Bera Ledua

Director of Community Connections

Bera Ledua

Director of Community Connections

Bera grew up in a tribal culture in Fiji. He served as an employee with the Fijian government for six years prior to resigning in 1979 to do volunteer religious work. He served as a grade seven to eleven religious-education teacher for a couple of years and worked as a Youth Leader for a Methodist Church circuit, which included twelve churches, prior to his military service. He completed three six-month tours with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, where he served as an associate lay pastor with B Company. He helped soldiers in their spiritual walk, had weekly Bible studies and visited soldiers at the Regimental Aid Post. Bera trained and served with several ministries, including three boat/yacht ministries. These include: CEF, World Open Air Campaigners, Every Home Crusade, the Bible Society of the South Pacific, Campus Crusade for Christ, Dayspring Ministries, Haggi Boat Ministries, Christian Small Boat Ministries, YWAM, and Overseas Mission.

Bera came to Canada in 1988 to work as a missionary among Canada’s Indigenous People. He served in a remote village in British Columbia and then worked in northern Alberta to establish a ministry centre which involved many Reserves. Bera and his wife, Bonita, established the Eagles’ Cove Ministry Centre outside of Thunder Bay and eventually founded NorthWind Family Ministries. Bera loves people and enjoys coffee time or engaging in healthy sports activities, such as boxing. He is a natural-born evangelist, and he brings both passion and compassion to any ministry endeavor.

One of Bera’s hobbies is to play match maker in prayer. He says he has seen 30 couples from his list make solid, Godly marriages. He likes praying for young people and asks God to guide their lives. As a loving parent of four adult children, he cares about young people and their future spouses.

Deanna Blanchard

Executive Assistant

Deanna Blanchard

Executive Assistant

Deanna grew up in Southern Manitoba and has been involved in Church ministry her whole life. Deanna and her husband, an Anglican pastor, have served in many communities across Canada. They spent three months in Chisasibi, Quebec, a Cree community on the eastern shore of James Bay, where her husband completed a summer internship as a pastor in training.

Deanna worked as a music director for St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Surrey, BC for five years. She also held the position of office manager at Birch Wellness Centre in Winnipeg, a private multidisciplinary practice that focuses on mental health and wellness.

She and her husband currently serve at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Thunder Bay. She is involved with the music ministry, women’s ministry and leads Bible studies. She participates with the Family Giving Center, a ministry of her church, which provides groceries, clothing, household supplies, pet supplies and a free lunch twice a month to those in need in the Westfort community. She began with NorthWind Family Ministries in May 2019 as a part-time executive assistant.

Deanna enjoys making her home a welcoming and comfortable place to serve and bless others. She also loves to sing and worship. She frequently video chats with her son, daughter, and son-in-law who live in Winnipeg, and visits family when she can!

Joyce Hancock

Adult Spiritual Growth

Joyce has been involved in ministry for many years. She taught Christian education at First Baptist Church in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for eight years, taught the children of missionaries in a house school in Indonesia for four years and worked with marginalized youth, street ministry, drug and alcohol rehab, and community building for twenty-one years in Brazil. Joyce became acquainted with NorthWind Family Ministries through a Competent Caring Course. She liked NorthWind’s approach of coming alongside Indigenous people.

Joyce enjoys her involvement with Bible studies and discipleship, especially with women. She has the opportunity to develop friendships, share her faith, and join their journey of Christian growth. Her favourite quote is from 2 Corinthians 2:15: For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Joyce is working on a doctor of ministry program with an emphasis on Indigenous Studies. She enjoys hiking and traveling, and she has visited five continents and hopes to visit the last two some day.

Heather LeQuant

Children's Ministry Leader

Heather LeQuant

Children's Ministry Leader

Heather grew up in the far-eastern province of our great country, Newfoundland! She comes from a family of five, right in the middle of two brothers. She grew up in church and hasn’t really left Children’s Ministry since she was a kid herself. When Heather began attending youth, she also became involved in Children’s Ministry. Following the call of God, she attended Bible College where she received a Bachelor of Theology with a major in Children’s Ministry. Heather worked in her church in the summers, running camps and assisting the Children’s Pastor.

Heather came to love the Indigenous peoples of Canada through a professor who talked about a people group that he loved and about his mission work. Combining that with her passion for children, God led her to where she is today. As a Missions Canada worker, from the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, Heather has begun her journey with NorthWind Family Ministries as the Children’s Ministry Team Lead. Words from a sermon she heard several years ago encourage her: “You don’t need a complete road map to be in the center of God’s will.”

Heather loves exploring, playing board games, studying Myers Briggs, and doing whatever it takes to make someone laugh.

Joshua Wong

Registered Psychotherapist

Joshua Wong

Registered Psychotherapist

Joshua Wong is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Traumatologist. He is completing his work and studies to becoming an EMDR Clinician and Registered Marriage & Family Therapist. Joshua graduated from Tyndale University College & Seminary where he received his Masters of Divinity in Clinical Counselling.

Joshua’s focus and work involves abuse and trauma in all its forms, including primary, vicarious, developmental, generational, PTSD, physical/sexual abuse, anxiety, grief, and compassion fatigue. This includes concurrent disorders and dual diagnosis such as clients on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities.

Other than counseling, Joshua’s passions are to build partnerships within the community and organizations, as well as to support staff and students toward integrative health practices while working in a trauma-focused practice. Joshua believes that healing is about learning and growth. A grounding quote that Joshua uses is, “We do the best we can. When we know better, we can do better.” This seeks to give grace in every moment to every person. It honours a story and gives the opportunity to grow.

Joshua is married to Natalie and they have two children, Silas and Olive. The family enjoys being outdoors and travelling. They are interested in trying new foods and experiencing the culture of different countries.

Julie McKenna

Counsellor

Julie McKenna

Counsellor

Julie is from Sydney, Australia. She met her husband, from Thunder Bay, in the Australian bush. She moved to Thunder Bay in 1989 and taught high school Science and Family Studies (primarily Food and Nutrition Sciences) for 25 years. She retired from teaching in 2015.

Julie has a M.A. in Counselling from Providence Seminary, a B.Sc. in Food Science and a Graduate Diploma of Education. She returned to Providence to complete a third year, planning to graduate with an MA in Counselling and Psychology. Areas of focus include recovery from trauma, abuse and neglect, disordered eating habits, body image issues, relationship struggles, depression and anxiety, and ADHD.

Julie is passionate about providing a safe place that allows others to grow and heal; to help people move from surviving to thriving. Julie organized and facilitating support groups, started Celebrate Recovery in Thunder Bay and ran it for three years, as well as helped establish and facilitate the Natural Helpers student peer counsellor program in high schools across the city for seven years. Julie has been a board member of New Life Ministries since 2012. She also worked as program staff for two years in the women’s program at Hope House providing emotional, mental, physical and spiritual support for residents.

Julie enjoys art of all kinds, reading, and playing pickleball. She also enjoys spending time with family, both near and far. She relies on a favourite quote: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Kathryn Kerns

Registered Social Worker

Kathryn Kerns

Registered Social Worker

Kathryn attended Lakehead University where she graduated with an Honours degree in Social Work with a focus in Indigenous Learning. She has a variety of work experience primarily working with Indigenous children and families. She enjoys using approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy and Narrative Therapy. She also utilizes play and art therapy with children and youth, including the Coping Cat Program.

Kathryn’s areas of expertise focus on issues such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, intimate partner violence, lateral violence, relationship issues and self-efficacy. She enjoys working with individuals, families and communities and utilizes the Systems Theory in order to see sustainable change. She believes that the healing process includes every part that makes up a person, a family, and a community.

Kathryn has run groups for those who have experienced trauma, grief and loss, and victims of crimes. She believes it is a privilege to work with people struggling with suicide and self-harm ideations. Kathryn has a passion to see those who have been abused display resiliency and help them move beyond the hurt and pain to live a life beyond their past. Kathryn believes that the best thing about being a counsellor is the opportunity to be there for people and to listen. Its simple, but it can empower a person to be heard and feel valued.

Kathryn enjoys reading, traveling and being with family and friends. She firmly believes there is much to be thankful for and to learn in this life. She says, “You can overcome challenges so don’t ever let your story end!”

Alissa Keesic

Administrative Assistant – Counselling

Alissa Keesic

Administrative Assistant – Counselling

Alissa was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario; she grew up on a dairy farm in the Slate River Valley where she learned to value family, take responsibility, use a solid work ethic, and have respect and patience for others.

She has four beautiful children, Rachel, Ethan, Hannah and Andrew. She loves to support them in their sports and school activities. She enjoys soccer, curling, volleyball, gardening, dinner and coffee with friends and family time.

She has a passion to help others and hopes to pursue counselling in the future. Her family and friends describe her as open, thoughtful, generous, relatable, supportive, and an excellent listener. She has a genuine heart and loves to connect with others in meaningful ways.

Alissa testifies to the goodness and faithfulness of God in her life; her favourite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’.

Lisa Edwards

Receptionist – Counselling

Lisa Edwards

Receptionist – Counselling

Lisa grew up near the Couchiching First Nation on Treaty Three land. Her friends on the Reserve impacted who she is today. She enthusiastically supports those bringing healing to individuals and communities and enjoys contributing to the process. One of her favourite quotes is a paraphrase from Emma Lazarus: “None of us are free until all of us are free.”

Lisa has over ten years of management experience. She managed a café for three years and worked as a children’s program coordinator in a church in England for two years. She worked part-time for Ishaawin Counselling Centre and part-time for NorthWind Family Ministries as Bonita’s executive assistant since the summer of 2017. Lisa will be starting a new adventure with full-time studies in the fall of 2019.

Lisa enjoys travelling, reading, and taking nature walks. She likes feeding people good food and finds cooking and baking a rejuvenating experience. She likes trying new dishes and baked goods but does not like following a recipe. Her creative streak also manifests itself through photography and designing ethical fashions.

Carolyn Whatley

Carolyn has a diverse teaching background, including ESL, home and co-op education, and as an assistant teacher in undergraduate courses. She has facilitated and spoken at a number of retreats and conferences. She is currently a candidate for a Masters of Social Justice at Lakehead University, with a research focus on trauma-informed communities, decolonizing trauma work, and non-indigenous pathways to reconciliation. She and her family have learned a lot as a foster family for the past six years.

These areas of interest inform her involvement with NorthWind Family Ministries. Carolyn first connected with NorthWind through the Competent Caring Course. This led to cooking supper for the Sunday Family Fellowship. She then became a key creator in the development of LifeBuild and became a LifeBuild Coach.

Her favourite quote influences her life: "Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." - Henri Nouwen

Carolyn enjoys spending time with friends and family and is often found chatting over a cup of tea or enjoying the land around her home on the outskirts of Thunder Bay. Carolyn is currently in positional transition.

Raymond Neckoway

Chairman

Raymond Neckoway

Chairman

Raymond is from Fox Lake Cree First Nation in northern Manitoba. He moved to Thunder Bay in 1989. He has been a faculty member at Lakehead University since 1999. There was a two-year period where he taught at Memorial University of Newfoundland from 2010-2012. He returned to Lakehead in 2012 to be a part of the School of Social Work where he served as the Director of the School.

Raymond enjoys Thunder Bay and its surroundings for the many people and friends he has come to know and the plentiful outdoor activities he enjoys. He became involved with NorthWind to support Bera and Bonita. He appreciates NorthWind’s involvement in many aspects of the lives of Indigenous Peoples, such as, outdoor activities at Eagle's Cove, counseling, visiting people in their homes, involvement with youth, and the weekly Gathering. He appreciates how the ministry is a conduit for others to participate as well.

John Condon

Vice Chairman

John Condon

Vice Chairman

John Condon is the Chief Flight Instructor at Confederation College. John is a director, producer and actor in dramatic productions at Redwood Park Church in Thunder Bay. John actively volunteers with NorthWind in Children’s camp in the summer and as part of construction work teams. He also prepares one supper a month for the Sunday Gathering.

John loves the outdoors and gets out canoeing and other outdoor actives in the beautiful areas around Thunder Bay.

Peggy Blekkenhorst

Treasurer

Peggy Blekkenhorst

Treasurer

Peggy, a Registered Nurse, worked in Public Health delivering educational programs and media campaigns on health promotion and disease prevention. She retired from Public Health and now contracts with Lakehead University School of Nursing as a clinical instructor. Peggy was born on a dairy farm outside of Thunder Bay. She has lived her life in rural settings and enjoys cross-country skiing, gardening, and walks with her husband, Berend.

Peggy enjoys the beauty of Lake Superior and the view of the Sleeping Giant. Both remind her of Canada's Indigenous peoples who willingly shared their land resources with the early settlers only to receive brokenness in return. Peggy first learned of this brokenness while working with youth as a Public Health Nurse. She attended a display giving the history of the residential schools in Canada and was shocked to learn how the Government, in an attempt to 'civilize' Indigenous people, forcefully removed children from their families, stripped them of their language and culture, and mistreated them badly. This resulted in intergenerational trauma, which still effects their health, social and family structure, educational attainment, and unemployment today.

Peggy’s compassion for the welfare of Aboriginal people drew her to NorthWind Family Ministries. She began volunteering at some of the outreach programs delivered within the city and at Eagle's Cove and then agreed to serve on NorthWind’s board of directors. She feels that NorthWind’s programs will help heal the brokenness and restore a better quality of life for the Indigenous people.

Wes Carlisle

Board Member

Wes Carlisle

Board Member

Wes has a BA in Business Administration, with an accounting emphasis, from the University of Montana. He is a certified public accountant (US). Before retirement, he worked for 18 years as the business administrator in three churches—in Saskatoon, Toronto, and Mississauga. Before that, he worked in public accounting for CA and CPA firms. His experience with churches and charities, administration, strategic planning, policy development, human resources, IT, facilities, and relationships within governing boards became useful as NorthWind began operating as a Canada Non-Profit Corporation and a Canadian Registered Charity. He became part of the board of directors to walk alongside the team of people as they established NorthWind’s foundational policies and systems.

Wes and his wife, Sue, retired to Thunder Bay to help Bera and Bonita Ledua in their ministry. He values NorthWind’s mission and enjoys developing friendships through the Sunday Gathering where he participates as a van driver and teacher. He appreciates interaction with camp and program teams and participants.

Thunder Bay is a small city that feels more like a small town to Wes. He appreciates the natural wonders outside of Thunder Bay and likes nature walks, picnics and photography.

Our NWFM Team

Bonita Ledua

Bera Ledua

Wes Carlisle

Deanna Blanchard

Joyce Hancock

Sue Carlisle

Heather LeQuant

JeremyDarrow

Joshua Wong

Julie McKenna

Kathryn Kerns

Alissa Keesic

Lisa Edwards

Carolyn Whatley

Kyla Tempelman

Karl Janzen

Joanita Nakimuli

Erika Weiher

Dan Frick

Our Board of Directors

Raymond Neckoway

John Condon

Janice Janssen

Peggy Blekkenhorst

John Andres

Wes Carlisle

Contact Us

Building a sacred community of hope and healing.

Bonita Ledua

Bonita Ledua

Bera Ledua

Bera Ledua

Deanna Blanchard

Deanna Blanchard

Joyce Hancock

Joyce Hancock

Heather LeQuant

Heather LeQuant

Joshua Wong

Joshua Wong

Julie McKenna

Julie McKenna

Kathryn Kerns

Kathryn Kerns

Alissa Keesic

Alissa Keesic

Lisa Edwards

Lisa Edwards

Carolyn Whatley

Carolyn Whatley

Raymond Neckoway

Raymond Neckoway

John Condon

John Condon

Peggy Blekkenhorst

Peggy Blekkenhorst

Wes Carlisle

Wes Carlisle

Bonita
Ledua

Deanna
Blanchard

Joyce
Hancock

Heather
LeQuant

Jeremy
Darrow

Raymond
Neckoway

John
Condon

Peggy
Blekkenhorst

Wes
Carlisle