NAABA Member Feature: Wild Feathers Inc. Bears, Boats and Blowers

Pictured above: Allen Hansen grew up in the Wood Buffalo region and is now the proud owner and operator of Wild Feathers, a local Indigenous business. Their offering includes services such as Bear Awareness Training, river boat tours, wildlife management, live animal trapping and industrial blower heater rentals.

Allen Hansen uses his Métis trapper knowledge to showcase the best of what our region has to offer through his business, Wild Feathers Inc. Local knowledge and certified training gives Allen a unique and regional perspective to provide Bear Awareness training, wildlife management, and river jetboat experiences; and his oilsands knowledge is key for their portable industrial blower heaters.  

“I was born and raised here and my father used to run the river boats. I grew up on the water and in the bush, and it’s my passion. I’ve been working with animals my whole life,” says Allen, a member of Fort McMurray Métis 1935. “We can offer the real experience of our Gateway to the North.” 

Certified Bear Awareness training provides classroom and hands-on training with a unique local perspective. Participants get practical experience and simulations designed to reinforce the knowledge gained in the classroom. 

Wildlife Management can help to fill the void of services in the region, with Allen’s in-depth knowledge of regional animals, their habitats, migration patterns and more. They have the ability to collaborate with industry partners. Live trapping is one of their service offerings, and includes an animal – such as fox, skunk or coyote – being safely caught and released into an appropriate new habitat far away from businesses or industry.

Through Bear Awareness and Wildlife Management, Allen can address immediate wildlife concerns and help to foster long-term safe coexistence between people and wildlife. 

Before starting Wild Feathers, Allen enjoyed a long career at Syncrude as an emergency responder before retiring. This on-site experience lends itself for portable industrial heaters available for rent to mining, plant operations, construction companies and more. Holding 1,000 litres of fuel, these heavy-duty heaters can outlast the standard design with an average of 40-hours run time. Their unique design uses a blower to push the heat out, increasing overall effectiveness.  

Allen started his business, along with wife Kelly, with the goal of sharing his passion with others in the region. Growing up along the banks of the Clearwater River, his family has called the Fort McMurray region home for many generations. 

Wild Feathers won Indigenous Business of the Year award through Chamber of Commerce 2023, and this year they celebrate five years as a NAABA Certified Member.  

To learn more about this incredible local Indigenous business, please visit wildfeathers.ca/ or phone 780-799-5393. 

Honouring Louis Riel and Métis history

This week from November 10 to 16, many people across the province are taking part in Métis Week to celebrate the heritage, history and contributions of Métis people to Alberta and Canada. This includes honouring the memory of Louis Riel, the Métis leader who protected the rights of his people, and was ultimately executed on November 16, 1885. Known as Louis Riel Day on November 16, for many people it's a time to reflect on their rich culture and community.

Madilyn Hite is a member of McMurray Métis Local 1935, and she spent some time talking to students about Louis Riel Day on November 14. Since learning about her Métis family roots as a teenager, Madilyn has made it a priority to learn about her culture and family's rich history.

"I went to school for film and tv production because I love telling stories. So finding out my own story meant a lot to me," says Madilyn, who is also the Métis Local's Digital Media Coordinator. "Finding out that you have such a rich culture – I don’t have words to explain how fantastic it feels. I know that this journey has also helped my Mom and other relatives step out from their protection bubbles. They came from a silent generation where they stayed quiet about being Métis because they would be punished."

Digging into her family's Métis heritage and tracing back her grandmother's maiden name - Bellehumeur - Madilyn discovered that she is a distant relative to Louis Riel. He is her great great great uncle.

"Louis Riel stood up for the minority, including Métis and First Nations Peoples. He was a very smart man, and valued education and passing down traditional knowledge to future generations," says Madilyn.

Madilyn is proud of being Métis and looks forward to continuing on her cultural journey.

"It's not just about being half French and half Indigenous, it's so much more than that. Métis made their own language, dance, music and art," she adds. "And it's incredible that McMurray Métis is so different from groups in Lac La Biche, or Edmonton or even in Manitoba. It's such a unique and rich culture. I want to share that with as many people as I can."

Below left: Madilyn Hite is a proud member of McMurray Métis 1935.

Below right: In Fort Chipewyan, Madilyn checks her camera while on a film shoot.

Photo credits: Crystal Mercredi and Nick Vardy

Rock Your Mocs at the workplace on Nov. 15

Moccasins are traditional footwear in many Indigenous cultures throughout Canada, and were a staple for their many uses and benefits. Keeping feet protected in hard or soft terrain, providing quiet-padded footsteps while hunting, and using thick layers of fur lining for cold winter months.

To honour this traditional Indigenous culture, Rock Your Mocs Day was created in 2011 and has expanded across North America. Each year on November 15, participants of all ages and cultures proudly wear their moccasins at work, school, and in the community.

Why?

The Rock Your Mocs movement began in 2011 by Jessica Jaylyn Atsye, from Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico. The intention is to provide a positive opportunity to unite and celebrate individuality by wearing moccasins; and as a way to honour ancestors and Indigenous Peoples worldwide. It also takes place during National Native American Heritage Month in the United States.

Please join NAABA and thousands of others to Rock Your Mocs this week. Search the hashtag #RockYourMocs on social media to see what’s happening worldwide.

*Pictured moccasins were handmade in Treaty 8 Territory by Leona Lepine, Peyak Mekwan Crafts and More.

Indigenous Development Program intake at RBC

RBC is thrilled to announce the recruitment launch for the 2025 Indigenous Development Program (IDP) cohort at RBC.

About the IDP: The IDP is a two-year rotational program designed to provide meaningful work experience, professional development, and mentorship for Indigenous graduates. Participants will have the chance to explore various areas of RBC, grow their skills, and make an impact within our organization and beyond.

How to help share this opportunity:

1. Share Program Information: Distribute our marketing flyer, application link, and program website with your community, members, and networks.
2. Promote on Social Platforms: If applicable, please share details about the IDP on your organization’s social media channels to help spread the word.
3. Engage Your Contacts: Encourage Indigenous graduates within your community to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to kick-start their careers at RBC.

• Marketing Flyer: Attached
• Application Link: Apply Here
• Program Website: RBC Indigenous Development Program

Your support plays a vital role in helping us reach and empower Indigenous talent.

Thank you for partnering with us to make a difference and create pathways for Indigenous graduates.

For more information please contact IndigenousTalent@rbc.com

Does your business or organization have news to share with NAABA members? Please send your Sharing Circle news to communication@naaba.ca to include in future e-newsletters.