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‘That is freedom’: Sask. mom embraces nature in and out of doors of enterprise life

‘That is freedom’: Sask. mom embraces nature in and out of doors of enterprise life

‘That is freedom’: Sask. mom embraces nature in and out of doors of enterprise life

Beginning a enterprise at 9 months pregnant is not simple, however for one Saskatchewan entrepreneur it has been a labour of affection.

Katie Ecklund has all the time liked the outside. Rising up, she hung out snowboard racing close to Meadow Lake and later coached the game for 10 years.

Now, the mom of Ainsley, 12, Gunner, 3, and new child Brooklyn is harnessing her ardour for the outside to make a dwelling.

Ecklund began an eco-tourism enterprise known as Prairie Leases. It gives dogsled adventures in Duck Mountain Provincial Park on the Saskatchewan – Manitoba border.

“While you’re having an ideal day with the canines, and also you’re on the path, and issues are going nice,” Ecklund provides, “that is freedom.”

Katie Ecklund and Mitchell Wilson sit by a fire in Duck Mountain Provincial Park.
Katie Ecklund and Mitchell Wilson sit by a hearth in Duck Mountain Provincial Park. (Jenalene Antony)

The enterprise additionally rents kicksleds and snowshoes, and gives outside tenting workshops, ice mazes and wilderness excursions.

Ecklund says these are nice methods for folks to have enjoyable as they join with nature.

An ice maze in Duck Mountain Provincial Park made by Katie Ecklund's eco-tourism adventure company, Prairie Rentals.
An ice maze in Duck Mountain Provincial Park made by Katie Ecklund’s eco-tourism journey firm, Prairie Leases. (SaskParks/Fb)

Being immersed in nature has all the time been therapeutic for Ecklund. She says it helped her cope with her feelings after experiencing the trauma of shedding her 13-year-old cousin to suicide when she was solely 11.

“He was my greatest buddy.… It turned my complete world the wrong way up,” Ecklund stated. “I had main despair and I did not even comprehend it. I cried for years.”

The despair began to elevate when she bought a job as a canoe information within the distant Canadian wilderness.

She says she lastly began to really feel happiness once more one morning as she sat by a waterfall, taking within the serenity of nature.

“That is part of me that I am unable to lose, as a result of that’s what makes me comfortable,” Ecklund stated.

Katie Ecklund hooks up two of her dogs to a kicksled as part of her new outdoor eco-tourism business in eastern Saskatchewan, near Duck Lake Provincial Park.
Katie Ecklund hooks up two of her canines to a kicksled as a part of her new outside eco-tourism enterprise in japanese Saskatchewan, close to Duck Lake Provincial Park. (Jenalene Antony)

Dwelling a easy way of life in a rural space has additionally helped the household bond.

Ecklund’s accomplice Mitchell Wilson is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Her youngsters are studying survival abilities, corresponding to lighting a hearth and dealing with the weather.

She says survival experiences may help you respect the comforts of residence. 

“I’d exit and get chilly, however then we are available in and be heat,” Ecklund stated. “With out going by way of hardship, how are you aware what the nice occasions are?”

A sled dog owned by Katie Ecklund and used for her eco-tourism company.
One of many sled canines that pulls kicksleds or snowboards whereas individuals are having enjoyable outdoor. (Jenalene Antony)

Ecklund has a group of 5 canines that pull kicksledders or snowboarders by way of the park trails throughout excursions.

She says harnessing is a good way to offer some massive energetic breeds train, and for house owners to embrace winter in a brand new approach. 

Ainsley Ecklund puts a knitted hat on her little brother. She knit the hat for her new baby sister who arrived in early February.
Ainsley Ecklund places a knitted hat on her little brother. She knit the hat for her new child sister who arrived in early 2023. (Jenalene Antony)

“Any canine is usually a sled canine,” Ecklund stated. “It is simply whether or not they’re educated within the will to tug.”

Along with working outdoors, the household additionally lives a land-based conventional way of life, which incorporates making their very own pet food from scratch utilizing domestically sourced oats and wild-caught meat.

Ecklund says she plans to tour the province this winter with new child Brooklyn snuggled up in a wearable child wrap.

She additionally needs to develop the enterprise, and is grateful to have the ability to make a dwelling doing what she loves alongside along with her household, as they share their ardour for the outside with others. 

Three women on an eco-tour with Katie Ecklund's company, Prairie Rentals.
Three girls on an eco-tour with Katie Ecklund’s firm, Prairie Leases. (Katie Ecklund/Fb)

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