Testimonials
At Native Awareness we are fortunate to meet an array of people from all walks of life and from different countries. Here are a few comments that people have made about our classes.
“James’ knowledge and skills are first rate”
“This is a great course to develop your side axe and draw knife skills. I was amazed by the level of accuracy that can be achieved with a side axe, when in the hands of a skilled craftsman. I also found the whole bow making process fascinating and picked up many bonus tips on Bush Crafting, through conversations with James, during the course. James’ knowledge and skills are first rate, and I am delighted with the finished bow.”
Pete, I.T., took Bow Making
“The best survival course I’ve ever been on.”
“Just e-mailing to say thank you for the best survival course I’ve ever been on, I’ve learnt more in those three days than I have in the last four years. Learning your awareness skills was just amazing and I’m definitely booking the awareness and tracking course with you soon.”
Dave, bushcraft instructor, took Native Skills 1
“Native Awareness is a truly inspiring organisation, teaching the skills and philosophies of the native way in an accessible and exiting way”
“I feel really privileged to have had the opportunity to study with Native Awareness. It is a truly inspiring organisation, teaching the skills and philosophies of the native way in an accessible and exciting way that allows you to really become a part of what you are learning. It is something I really love doing and has helped guide me personally, as a teenager living in the 21st century, to something I can really relate to. Through my time with Native Awareness over the last few years I have managed to develop a focused interest in the world around me and even a direction I hope to take in my future, due to the importance of what I have learned has to me. The crafts and skills, inner quietness, awareness and way of looking at that around you is invaluable, even/especially today, and something I would recommend to ABSOLUTELY everyone! It’s SPANGLETASTIC!!!!!”
Maya, student, took Bow Making, Native Skills 1, Native Skills 2
“This course is not just about lighting fires or making shelters like other bushcraft experiences”
“Thank you Native Awareness for the experience of the past 3 days. This course is not just about lighting fires or making shelters like other bushcraft experiences.
Since participating in the course, each time I enter the woods, I look at it in a different way; listening to what the animals and birds are doing. I can’t help but look for animal tracks or spot the darker indentations on grass or soil. I have gained an understanding of how the Native Americans used their minds before their body. I will definitely be back to complete native skills 2.
Thank you again James, an excellent teacher.”
Shuv, educator, took Native Skills 1
“Native Scout was incredible”
Native Scout was an incredible, challenging, and exciting experience!
Nathan, preformer took Native Scout, Native Skills 1, Native Skills 2
“knowing that these same skills will go global. ”
“I have made some new brothers and sisters and hope that they will come again next year so that we build on our shared experiences. I enjoyed watching them; learning new skills. For me, the joy of being taught something new, is made all the more rewarding by seeing other student’s faces come alight, both with inspiration and realisation that they can do the things that have been taught to them; also they can so easily build on their new skills. Native Skills 2 came to life, by the wonderful array of different characters that had participated, and I especially enjoyed spending time with those that were not from native England. They bring an extra sense of meaning to learning the same skills, knowing that these same skills will go global.”
Nicky, security/martial arts instructor, took Native Skills 1, Native Skills 2
“This course will appeal to everyone experienced or not with the outdoors.””
“….the expanded awareness course conducted by the Native Awareness team is like no other I have ever experienced . It was exactly that an Experience beyond the ordinary outdoor pursuits I have become so accustomed to. I want to thank James of Native Awareness for opening a gateway to the world I really live in and how to work with it to survive. This course will appeal to everyone experienced or not with the outdoors.”
Greg, Race horse trainer took Earth Living – 12 Month Programme
“When the time arrives for Native Skills 3 I won’t have a backpack with me anymore, I will only wear my new buckskin clothing and my homemade moccasins”
“I’ve been trying to find someone who sells hides since I got back from England. Finally I’ve found someone who sells salted skins.
So very soon I’m going to have my first go at making buckskin clothing. When the time arrives for Native Skills 3 I won’t have a backpack with me anymore, I will only wear my new buckskin clothing and my homemade moccasins (that is a real nice thing to fantasise about).
Well thanks again for all the wonderful experiences and I will see you next year (and I’ll bring a friend along)”
Merjin, retailer, took Native Skills 1, Native Skills 2
“I would highly recommend anyone searching for true wilderness living skills to take a course”
“Native awareness teaches bushcraft/earth living skills in a unique way, enabling students to take what they need from nature, move with the seasons and have the knowledge to travel light and not be kit reliant. I really enjoyed the course I attended, it covered the core skills and a lot besides, the building blocks for more advanced techniques in a relaxed environment, taught at a steady pace with time for questions and answers, as well as getting to know other people attending. I would highly recommend anyone searching for true wilderness living skills to take a course.”
Nick, various, took Native Skills 1
“The transformation process is magic”
“Attending the Buckskin tanning course was a lot of fun. You need to be physically fit for this course, as there is good deal of scraping, beating and scrunching involved. The transformation process is magic; going from a wet hairy meat product, to something soft and beautiful. The course was a real education in hide processing and its uses, and has opened my eyes to the true value of this precious material.”
Peter, self sufficient living, took Buckskin(Leather Making)
“James is a humorous and enthusiastic instructor with a strong passion for his calling. ”
“The course was a useful introduction to many of the skills enabling survival in nature and a more meaningful level of interaction with it, and offered an overview of the spiritual philosophy within that relationship from a native perspective. From rope making to fire making via flint knapping and tracking, we tasted a variety of techniques and a wealth of information, all held in the beautiful woods at Hazel Hill. James is a humorous and enthusiastic instructor with a strong passion for his calling.”
Zoe, musician, took Native Skills 1
