FAQ

FROM THUNDER BAY ON

Thunder Bay! This VLOG is a really cute and refreshing look at my home town from a visitor point of view. Check it out! Lots of great scenery and pretty accurate (2020 with everything from the scenery around town, restaurants, Persian donuts (hilarious when he bites into one – OMG it’s delicious!), the waterfront and attractions). And, it’s tracking hotspot with amazing tests and a great tracking and dog community!

I was fortunate to be born and raised in God’s country – northwestern Ontario where my family camped, fished, went cross country skiing, where my dad and grandfather taught me bush lore and my Mom and Estonian Grandparents taught me to pick mushrooms! It seems like tracking was a natural fit. I was lucky enough to attend seminars with Glen Johnson, Tracking Dog author, whose family lived in Thunder Bay too. I met my first tracking mentor in my job with the Ministry of Natural Resources… more below!

WORK & CAREER

You’re welcome to check out my professional profile on Linked In. I’ve always worked in communications, even though my degrees are in history and political science. I love the communications field! I’ve worked for the Ontario government – Ministry of Natural Resources, Mines and Forestry for 20 years, then for municipal government in Alberta since moving here in 2008. Work helps me hone my website, presentation and writing skills! Oh wait, I should say my hobbies keep my skills sharp for work!

ALBERTA SINCE 2008

I relocated to Alberta in 2008. Here in Alberta I’ve been privileged to work in areas related to agriculture, oil and gas, environmental protection and new energy and parks, and I’ve seen some spectacular places from desert to mountains. The people here are friendly and kind, and yes, with a wild west untamed spirit! It’s true! It’s an empowering place to live when you see how independent people are, at all ages, in every facet of life, women and men alike. I will always be an Ontario girl but feel more and more like an Albertan over time and have so many to thank for helping feel at home with that western hospitality.

MENTORS

I’ve been blessed and fortunate to have some amazing mentors (and some TOR-mentors) related to dog tracking including many CKC and AKC judges and clinicians, IGP competitor and friend Dan Waters (GSD Club of Calgary, Nationals winner and Worlds competitor), retired head trainer and breeding specialist for the RCMP Jean Blondin, Stockdog (Border Collie sheep herding) world class competitors and clinicians like Scott Glen (who bred my wonderful dogs Jet and Ted) and Calvin Jones and of course the wonderful, late and legendary Bob Vest who encouraged me and gave me strength when I needed it, giving me wings to fly.

COACHING

In 2013 I had an opportunity to study coaching and grabbed it by the horns, signing up for Erickson College’s world class Art and Science of Coaching. It’s International Coach certified. I completed all five modules and started my coaching business in 2014. Coaching is a word used loosely by a lot of people, but true coaching skills are very different from ‘instruction.’ You’ll know it when you experience real coaching! Not instruction, not cheerleading, not mentoring – but facilitating grown and skills, and building on what you already know and can do! Challenging, keeping you accountable and holding your hand when needed along the journey.

ACADEMIC STUFF

Double Honours BA in History and Political Science from Lakehead University! I wanted to be a Minister in high school, when I was President of our high school Inter School Christian Fellowship, but my guidance counsellor (in the 70s) said I couldn’t be and to choose another goal! Today I am still passionate about history and it applies to everything we do! It even applies to my current studies at Ambrose University as I pursue my Masters in Leadership and Ministry – finally living out my dream to follow ministry, but it will be in a different role combined with Four Winds Outdoor Leadership and our love of God’s creation and nature.

GOALS

My goals are to combine my passions for coaching, the outdoors, tracking, faith and living life to its fullest into an amazing new business meeting the needs of wild women who want more out of life.

Coaching’s goal is for you acquire skills to cross the river and feel independent and empowered. It is not about floating down the river forever, never reaching the other side. My biggest reward is when people fly off, and no longer need me. But I’m always here of course!

MISSION & VISION

Four Winds Outdoor Leadership provides outdoor experiential learning that helps people to acquire new skills and confidence, find new paths during life transitions and provide insight into your own journey and how to achieve your dreams. Dogs and tracking will always play an important role, but there will be more! Sometimes we don’t even know what we will love or what we need until doors are opened or new experiences are unveiled. I am excited about setting up weekends, camps and retreats. Watch for news and updates!

CANCER SURVIVOR

If you’ve had cancer, it does become part of your mentality. I am not into ‘Woundology’ (check Catherine Myss) but it is a dividing line in your life to have had it, and realize life is precious, life is short and it’s important to live it to the full. My mom died of cancer when she was only 58, It is an absolute privilege to get ‘old’ – or shall we say, grow wise and go for what makes us happy. I am happy to say that I was cancer free in 2007, and have continued to be at every milestone check up. Thank you God!

THINGS I LOVE!

I had to pull this out of Academic Stuff – aside from the outdoors and tracking – don’t get me started about history, the fur trade and my respect for the Indigenous people in Canada.

I almost became an archaeologist – I had a job offer, but opted for work at the historic site in Thunder Bay – the recreated fur trade post Fort William. From there I learned to love fur trade history and developed a strong respect for Canada’s Indigenous people.

That’s it!

Can you tell I am chatty?