Wilkołaak (Wolf Starchild) is a barefoot bushcraft instructor in Ontario who has spent nearly two decades guiding people back to the skills of our ancestors. As co-founder of Barefoot Bushcraft, he teaches archery, wilderness survival, and outdoor living skills to learners of all ages, helping them reconnect with the land.
Known for walking barefoot in every season, Wolf’s feet have touched forest floors, mountain trails, and riverbanks across the land. Going barefoot is more than habit — it’s a daily reminder of the bond between human and soil, a connection as old as our people.
Wolf grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, working summers in peach orchards and learning traditional skills from his Polish heritage. These early experiences shaped his respect for the seasons, the harvest, and the craft of self-reliance.
Before devoting himself fully to outdoor education, Wolf traveled as a tractor-trailer driver, crossing nearly every state, province, and territory in North America. His favorite places were the highlands of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, where the spirit of the Mountain Men still lingers.
Wolf also served as a community investigations officer and patrol supervisor, protecting the hearths and livelihoods of others. These skills of vigilance, leadership, and safety now strengthen his work as a barefoot bushcraft instructor Ontario students trust.
In 2009, Wolf walked the entire 850 km Bruce Trail barefoot — a journey that marked his shift from corporate life to the open air. This path led him to share the knowledge of the old ways with anyone ready to learn.
Wolf studied Wildlife Forestry Conservation, Police Foundations, and Recreation & Leisure Services at Brock University, and holds numerous certifications, including:
Wilderness First Responder
Leave No Trace Master Educator
Archery Coach (Ontario Archery Association, Levels I & II)
ORCKA Canadian Style Paddling Levels 1–3
Scuba Divemaster
Private Pilot Licence
Over the years, Wolf has worked with:
Chocpaw Expeditions – Dog sled driver
Peaks Climbing Club – Rock climbing instructor
Easter Seals Camps – Canoe expedition leader
Silverdale Gun Club – Firearms instructor & range officer
Royal Elite International Academy and Ridley College – Outdoor skills educator
In 2013, Wolf founded Barefoot Bushcraft to teach people essential skills like fire-making, archery, and shelter building. In 2022, he co-founded Wild Nomads Forest School, where children learn outdoors, guided by the rhythms of nature.
Today, Wolf lives in an off-grid community along Lake Erie, surrounded by his team of sled dogs. His work as a barefoot bushcraft instructor Ontario continues to inspire people to walk the old ways — grounded, skilled, and in harmony with the land.
Learn More about Wilkołaak at:
Website: http://www.wilkolaak.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/w0lfmaan
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/mh9Qpl
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wolfmaan
Please Note: Wolfmaan is not a member of the Canadian Armed Forces
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