Effie Linklater, nee McDonald (1915 – 2000)
Effie McDonald was the eldest child of Shitzie Neil and Shitzoo Julia McDonald. She lived most of her life in Old Crow. Her grandfather was Archdeacon Robert McDonald. She attended school in Dawson and lived at St. Paul's Anglican Hostel. She wanted to devote her life to the Anglican Church but was called home to marry and follow a traditional life.1)
Effie and Archie Linklater were married in August 1931. He had been ordained as a deacon in the Anglican church in January 1989.2) When her family was grown, she began to assist the Bishop in his mission, using her language and experience in many parts of the territory.3) She became a lay reader in Old Crow and then was ordained to the Holy Order of Deacons on January 15, 1989. She later took leadership of St. Simon's Church in Whitehorse at the Old Log Church. Linklater taped and transcribed stories of the elders and the Christian Leaders trained by Robert McDonald.4) St. Simon’s Church emphasized ministry to Indigenous congregations and was established in 1984 by the Reverend David Norton.5)
Lee Sax and Effie Linklater wrote and published Gikhyi – One Who Speaks the Work of God in 1990. All proceeds from the ninety-page book went to the Bishop’s School for Native Ministry.6)