Our Team

Farrel got his start in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he served as a combat engineer for 17 years. During his time in the military, Farrel was trained and qualified in many areas, including as an EOD team member deployed to Afghanistan. Later, he was trained as a heavy equipment operator, with his Class 3 and Class 1 licenses. Since being released from the Armed Forces in 2022, Farrel has been working as an instructor in the Northern Territories, specializing in Class 3 and heavy equipment.

Matthew joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a combat engineer in 2007. Upon completion of his qualification courses, he was selected for and passed the US Army Advanced Search Operations course in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in 2008, as well as TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care). In 2009 -2010, he deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a member of the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment. During this deployment to an active combat zone, Matthew identified IEDs and reacted to multiple attacks on Canadian personnel. He was awarded the Chief of Defence Commendation for saving the lives of multiple Canadian soldiers while responding to a critically injured Canadian soldier. 

After his deployment to Afghanistan, Matthew continued in his career with the CAF, deploying domestically to aid in the Canmore floods in 2013 and completing leadership courses before medically retiring due to injuries sustained in Afghanistan in 2014. Matthew began working in the Arctic in 2022, assisting in local ground search and rescue training and operations in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. He has utilized his teaching experience in mentoring new soldiers and his practical experience searching for people and indicators. Throughout his time in Nunavut, Matthew has learned and developed techniques, tactics and training programs specifically suited towards search and rescue within severe environments, with limited resources available to perform critical life-saving tasks.

In 1987, William joined the Canadian Armed Forces. He completed his basic training in Cornwallis, NS and then his field engineer training in Chilliwack, BC. He has served in Chilliwack, BC, Lahr, FRG, Edmonton, AB, North Vancouver, BC, and Suffield, AB. After 35 years of service and reaching the rank of sergeant with a heavy equipment background, William retired. He has also served in peace keeping missions in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and domestic operations within Canada. During his time in the military, he has progressed to understand health and safety practices and teaching various vehicle and non-vehicle platforms. 

Williams has completed various safety courses within the military, including safety management and Hazardous Occupational Health Investigation Recording and Reporting. Recently, he had the opportunity to travel to Arviat, Nu, and teach heavy equipment operations to the local community. He has completed his OHS certification from the University of Alberta and started an accounting technician diploma from the Thompson Rivers University.

Neil is one of the lead wilderness instructors who specializes in Tracking, Search & Rescue, Firearms Safety, and Predator Defence training. Neil has vast experience operating in extreme environments that include wildlife monitoring and Search & Rescue in the Arctic, Antipoaching in South Africa and advisor to Search & Rescue organisations in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Before this, Neil served as a sniper and reconnaissance soldier for 15 years in the Canadian Army and 8 years in the New Zealand Army. During Neil’s time in the military, he served on overseas deployments to Afghanistan and Egypt, and other joint training and operations internationally.

Jan has continued to advance in his own education and has been able to pass that knowledge on as an instructor for Fossil Creek Industria Training. Jan became a WHMIS Train the Trainer in 2015 and a Health and Safety Administrator in 2016. In 2017, he became a Class 1, 3 and airbrake instructor. Since then, he has taught countless students and has a success rate of approximately 97% of his students passing on their first attempt. Some of his classes have even achieved a 100% success rate.

Patrick has spent the past 20+ years teaching trades and educational development courses to Indigenous and Metis people in Manitoba and Northern Canada.

As a trades instructor at high schools, colleges and universities, Patrick realized his passion for not only training and development but also for providing a positive influence in his students' lives.

Patrick has an impressive teaching resume, specializing in carpentry, safety and mentorship programs. His experience developing carpentry programs with and for the Provincial Government and First Nations Communities in Manitoba provided him with a greater level of understanding and a desire to explore opportunities in Canada’s Arctic.