Land acknowledgement
Before we talk about who we are, we would like to acknowledge those who were here before us and are still our brothers and sisters today. We would like to share our gratitude for the survival and wilderness living skills that were taught by indigenous communities to the first settlers of Turtle Island; the indigenous communities who worked with nature long before us and continue to be the leading voices in environmental repatriation, ecology, sustainability, and values that honour us as being part of nature, not separate from it.
The place we call home - Alberta, Canada - is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – , the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’iina Nation, as well as the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta within the historical Northwest Metis Homeland. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on and love visiting.
About Us
Since 2017, Kaykima Wilderness has been teaching emergency survival and bushcraft skills to students of all ages, stages, and abilities.
Kaykima's business model is a little different - based out of Calgary, Alberta, I offer programming throughout the province of Alberta and into B.C., Saskatchewan, and the Northwest and Yukon Territories. You may see pictures of my Sprinter van - my office and cabin on wheels. This enables me to stay, not only connected to clients, but also to nature. The roaming business allows to share my programs over a wider area, as well as discover many beautiful areas of the Treaties 6, 7, and 8 land that we are all grateful to be able to honour and enjoy.
Kaykima Wilderness classes are built upon the premise that working with nature, rather than against it, increases the chances of survival in an emergency situation. By getting outside and into nature, students learn to engage with the natural world in a tangible, personal, and sustainable way. We want to help humans survive - and thrive - in their natural environments, thus developing communities based upon gratitude and a deep appreciation for nature. .
We maintain principles of inclusivity, personal integrity, environmental responsibility, experiential learning, and the importance of community.
We welcome clients from the LGBTQ+ community and we acknowledge that all of our skills are based upon the teachings of indigenous cultures within Canada and around the world.
Values
Rob Ross
Kaykima Founder and Instructor
After a career spanning over twenty years working in Youth Justice and Children's Mental Health field Rob took the plunge in 2017 and quit his job to purse Kaykima Wilderness. A lifelong nature lover, Rob grew up in Thunder Bay ON and spent much of his time outdoors camping, hiking and mountain biking. Based on his own skills and experiences outdoors, as well as learning from the works of survival experts such as Mors Kochanski, Ray Mears and others he developed a deeper understanding of the natural world and furthered his outdoor survival skill levels. Rob saw the crossover between the growth of resiliency in individuals, and spending time outside and wanted to share that with others. In addition to teaching Kaykima Classes, Rob loves being outside foraging and learning new bushcraft skills, spending time with family, travelling, meditation, creating music, yoga, and archery.
