Shawn – Senior Arctic Survival Instructor for Maple Leaf Survival
Survival Background & Experience
An Arctic Lifestyles course taught through the university was the catalyst for Shawn to become an aficionado and expert of Arctic Survival training. Shawn attended the course in the winter of 1998 where he was first introduced and given the opportunity to discover the incredible world of the Inuit. The course introduced him to the world of ice, the midnight sun, and the beautiful culture of these storied people. Throughout his academic studies he continued to dive further into Canada’s aboriginal cultures with specific interests in hunting techniques, tools, and traditional lifestyles.
After living in the arctic, immersing himself in the Inuit culture, and absorbing the breathtaking landscape unique to this part of the world, Shawn has gained invaluable first hand personal experience from these masters of survival. Living alongside the Inuit of Canada’s arctic regions, he learned from a culture that has managed to thrive and flourish in a beautiful yet harsh environment since time immemorial. Hunting, gathering, and living the “Inuit way” was profound and insightful. As such, it is reflected in his approach towards arctic survival.
An expert at building Igloos and Quinzhees, Shawn is also an avid hunter and wilderness enthusiast with extensive knowledge of aboriginal hunting techniques, lifestyles and cultures.
Shawn has since been the Senior Arctic Survival Instructor for courses offered through the departments of Zoology, Environment and Geography, and Native Studies. These courses have been attended by all levels of post-secondary students and faculty members, emergency rescue personnel, pilots, medical professionals, military personnel and wilderness survival enthusiasts. The courses have been designed to provide participants with the knowledge of not only how to survive, but thrive in Canada’s coldest environments with an emphasis on aboriginal techniques – specifically those of the Inuit and northern sub-arctic peoples.
To experience the iconic cold of Canada’s north, consider taking part in the winter courses offered by Shawn and Maple Leaf Survival.
