Written by Evelyn Mytka, contributing writer
Russ McRae’s business is more than just wilderness survival—it’s about reconnection. As the owner of AAROE Survival and Wilderness Travel Adventures, based in Edmonton, Russ draws on his Métis heritage and outdoor expertise to teach people how to build fires, shelters, and skills for life in the outdoors. But what makes his business truly stand out is how he weaves in traditional Indigenous knowledge and cultural teachings to offer an experience that’s just as much about spirit and self as it is about survival.
With programs offered across Alberta, Russ welcomes learners of all backgrounds to explore the deeper meanings behind survival: emotional resilience, mental clarity, physical endurance, and spiritual connection.
We caught up with Russ to learn more about how he started AAROE Survival and Wilderness Travel Adventures, what inspires him, and how Business Link helped him turn a calling into a business.
“We use the medicine wheel as a guide and explore survival through a holistic lens”
Evelyn: Can you tell us a bit about AAROE Survival and Wilderness Travel Adventures
Russ: At AAROE, I combine traditional survival skills like fire-making and shelter-building with Indigenous cultural teachings. We use the medicine wheel as a guide and explore survival through a holistic lens: emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical. It’s not just about staying alive, it’s about connecting with yourself and the land in a meaningful way.
Evelyn: What services do you offer?
Russ: We run all kinds of programs across Alberta—plant walks, medicine teachings, fire ceremonies, and hands-on survival training. I like to keep it immersive. Whether we’re out on Crown Land or by the river in Edmonton, I want people to experience nature and tradition together.
“I looked up and saw an eagle flying in a circle above us … To me, that moment was a sign: this is your path.”
Evelyn: What inspired you to start your business?
Russ: The idea for AAROE started about fifteen years ago when I was leading a youth group called the Junior Forest Wardens. I loved teaching survival skills and realized how fulfilling it was to pass that knowledge on, but the real turning point came during a course I took to become an international wilderness guide.
While driving to one of the course locations with a group in my truck, I found myself wondering if I should turn my passion into a business. I looked up and saw an eagle flying in a circle above us. In Métis and many Indigenous cultures, the eagle is a messenger from the Creator. To me, that moment was a sign: this is your path.
A few days later, we were out on a hike along a river, identifying animal tracks. I was walking beside another guide and quietly asking myself a hard question, “Do I have the right to teach survival through an Indigenous lens?” Just then, the other guide found an eagle feather and handed it to me. That was it. Another sign from the Creator. From that point on, I knew I was meant to do this.
Evelyn: What do you love most about your work?
Russ: The look in people’s eyes when they light their first fire—that moment when they realize, “I can do this.” Whether they’re young or old, when someone connects with the skills and the spirit of the experience, it lights something up in them. That’s what I love most.
“Balancing a full-time job with running a business has been tough.”
Evelyn: What challenges have you faced in starting and running AAROE?
Russ: Balancing a full-time job with running a business has been tough. I work during the day and then spend evenings creating courses, figuring out schedules, and planning experiences. Finding the time and the energy has been one of the biggest challenges.
“My business strategist really helped me see that I didn’t have to do this alone.”
Evelyn: What kind of support did you receive from Business Link?
Russ: I worked with a business strategist who helped me put together my business plan and understand my financials. We’d connect during my lunch breaks, and it was always a good experience. My advisor was amazing. I’d recommend her to anyone. She really helped me see that I didn’t have to do this alone.
We talked about funding programs, grants, and how to apply. Business Link gave me the tools and advice I needed but left the decisions in my hands—and that made all the difference.
If you know your “why” and love what you do, Business Link can help you get there. Their services are free, they’re supportive, and they give you the tools to move forward with confidence.
Evelyn: What’s next for AAROE Survival and Wilderness Travel Adventures?
Russ: I’m developing a monthly experience series that blends cultural teachings with survival skills. It’ll end with a final challenge in the wilderness, kind of like a culmination of everything learned. I’m also looking into incorporating more holistic and health-focused approaches into what we offer.
“Just go for it. Don’t wait.”
Evelyn: What advice would you give someone thinking about starting their own business?
Russ: If you’re passionate about it—just go for it. Don’t wait.
Russ’s journey is a reminder that entrepreneurship can be as much about identity and healing as it is about products and services. Through AAROE, he’s not just helping people survive in the wilderness; he’s helping them reconnect with the land—and with who they are in it.
Want support turning your idea into a business? Book a free consultation with one of Business Link’s advisors.
Website: ARROE Survival and Wilderness Adventures Website
Instagram: ARROE Survival and Wilderness Adventures
Facebook: ARROE Survival and Wilderness Adventures on Facebook
