Ellen Atkin – MK Ultra Girl
Survivor and Advocate
Ellen Atkin is a Canadian survivor and advocate who went public in 2014 with her family’s experiences of torture and psychiatric abuse under the CIA’s MK-Ultra program. Her story is closely tied to the Montreal Experiments and the St. Thomas Psychiatric Class Actions, where she represents both her family and other survivors.
Ellen discovered that her parents were subjected to experiments led by Dr. Ewen Cameron at the Allan Memorial Institute in Montreal. These experiments—funded under the MK-Ultra program—involved electroshock, drugs, and sensory deprivation. Archival film of her mother receiving electroshock in the 1950s brought international attention to Ellen’s case.
Since coming forward, Ellen has become a prominent voice for survivors. Through public speaking, media interviews, and online platforms, she has worked to expose the long-term consequences of unethical psychiatric experimentation and to demand recognition, accountability, and reparations.
Legal and Media Presence
Ellen is a participant in class-action lawsuits against the Canadian government and related institutions for their role in MK-Ultra. Her advocacy has been widely covered in Canadian and international media, contributing to broader conversations on human rights, medical ethics, and government transparency.
Professional Background
Beyond her advocacy, Ellen built a career as a self-employed photographer, specializing in aerial, fine art, ski, stock, portrait, and wedding photography. She honed strong sales and marketing skills through advertising work and has collaborated with both private and public sector clients.
Cultural Impact
Known publicly as “MK Ultra Girl,” Ellen’s story symbolizes not only her personal survival but also the collective fight of thousands of victims. Her case continues to shape public understanding of government overreach and the need for ethical safeguards in medical and psychiatric research.