About us
Vision Statement:
Reclaiming culture, traditions and connection through Indigenous Tourism
Mission statement:
To provide high quality indigenous lead experiences, sharing cultural knowledge and traditions through land based teachings. Accessibility, inclusivity and respect while fostering relations and reconciliation create a safe and inspiring space to honour the seven generations and the seven sacred teachings.
The Founder – Brenda Holder
Brenda is of Cree/Iroquois lineage and is pleased to follow her heritage as a traditional guide. Her lineage is from the Kwarakwante of Jasper and is from the disenfranchised Michel Band, and now the newly formed Victoire Callihou Cree Clan. She is a Traditional Knowledge Keeper of plant medicine from her Cree lineage and teaches courses on plant medicine, offers unique and fun hands on workshops on plants and their medicines as well as doing fascinating walks into the boreal forest to explore the amazing medicines on display! Brenda is also an instructor for survival and bushcraft, teaching her clients traditional living skills according to her culture and traditions.
Company Overview
We are all about our Culture and we love to share what we know. The increasing interest in Indigenous Culture and our Traditional way of life allows us to share these teachings with our guests in ways that change lives.
Mahikan Trails has been operating as a tourism business since around 1995. Although tourism has always been a significant focus, the main drive was to foster understanding of Indigenous culture and to bridge the gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people.
An Indigenous company Indigenous owned and Indigenous lead. The founder is Cree and originates from Jasper National Park, born and raised.
Dave Holder
Dave taught his first official survival lesson while serving in the British Army back in 1984; initially trained as a Combat Engineer he also gained extensive training as a Mountain Leader where he led groups of soldiers in numerous countries from Africa to Europe, Central America and the USA.
On retirement from the Army Dave married his wife Brenda and immigrated to Canada. On arrival to Canada he was hired as a civilian instructor, at the prestigious British Army Adventure Training Centre in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. There he instructed on several mountain-training programs instructing both British and Canadian forces, teaching winter and summer activities for 8 years.
A chance meeting led Dave to start a long apprenticeship with Mors Kochanski where, after twelve years, Mors presented Dave with a certificate acknowledging him as a ‘Wilderness Living skills and Survival instructor.’ Dave states this is the most prized certificate he owns that he has gained for outdoor excellence.
Pushing the Canadian experience he gained skills as a dog sled and ski joring instructor; then cave guide where he has also served as a member of the Alberta Cave rescue team.
His experience gained in dogsledding, and ski joring, led him to compete in the Ski Jor World Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 2001, as a member of the British National Team.
Dave holds various guiding qualifications; with the Wilderness Guides Association (WGA), and the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG), as a Hiking and snowshoe guide.
He is an Instructor with the Interpretive Guides Association (IGA), the Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC), and with the Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI). Plus he is a Wilderness First Aid Instructor with the Canadian Red Cross; and Wilderness Travel and Survival Instructor with Voshaar Outdoors, in Holland.
He currently works with his wife’s company ‘Mahikan Trails’ teaching Indigenous skills of the land.
Dave’s skills have been used by the world of entertainment where he has worked on several TV productions, and one Walt Disney film; and more recently as a survival consultant on the History Channel’s ‘Alone’ show TV series.
He has written several articles for local and International outdoor magazines, and is currently working on a survival book where he is echoing on the skills, and lessons, he has learned as a survival instructor, and guide.
Jordan Ede
Jordan is a proud member of the Victoire Callihou Cree Clan in Alberta. With a deep appreciation for his heritage, he is dedicated to sharing the rich history and vibrant culture of Indigenous peoples with visitors. Passionate about storytelling, Jordan engages guests through immersive experiences that highlight traditional practices, plant medicine, and the natural beauty of the land.
Having grown up surrounded by the stories and teachings of his family, he believes in the importance of preserving and promoting Indigenous traditions. Jordan is committed to fostering understanding and respect for his culture, ensuring that each visitor leaves with a greater appreciation for Indigenous people.
In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, practicing traditional crafts, and connecting with community members to learn and share knowledge. Jordan invites everyone to experience the spirit of Indigenous culture and the breathtaking landscapes of Alberta.
Jordan is also a wilderness first aid instructor, and is trained as a fire fighter, paramedic, and police officer. He has past experience as a cave guide, a boat captain, and spent two seasons as the indigenous interpreter for the Jasper field unit of Parks Canada.
Tia Nelson
Tia is a proud member of the Victoire Callihou Cree Clan in Alberta. She is the Administrator for Mahikan Trails as well as a part time guide and experience provider. Tia has a background as a nurse and is continuing her education in plant medicine through her Aunt Brenda and is one of the knowledgeable staff who assists on the medicine programs.
Tia loves to connect people with her culture and enjoys her learning journey into her culture and traditions
Dion Nelson
Dion is a proud member of the Victoire Callihou Cree Clan in Alberta. Dion assists with some of the administrative work during slow season, and is one of the part time guides who will take you on a medicine walk. Dion is one of our most asked for guides when it comes to the younger generation and school groups.
Dion is passionate about sharing her knowledge and loves to assist on teaching some of the medicine programs.