Erin Creegan-Dougherty works to expand Maskwa Backcountry Foods

Erin Creegan-Dougherty is the founder and owner of Maskwa Backcountry Foods, an Alberta-based campfire food company.

“We specialize in sustainable local dehydrated and freeze-dried foods and snacks,” he said.

“We really try to promote Métis history and culture through our food, but everything is sustainably produced.”

Creegan-Dougherty said the business is based in B.C. says it started with a leading company in the north called Muskwa-Kechika Adventures.

“They're doing eco-tourism in northern BC,” he said. “(Wayne Sawchuk, owner) was my first client, and I originally cooked a week's worth of meals for one client.”

Last summer, Creegan-Dougherty prepared more than 1,500 meals for all of the company's guests throughout the leading season.

“Now I'll see how I can expand,” he said. “And how can I be an official business in the food industry, not just a hobby.”

Creegan-Dougherty is Métis and a graduate of Mount Royal University's international business program with a minor in history.

He is currently working as an entrepreneurship development specialist at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute at MRU, helping young students develop their ideas.

He is also a student in the accelerated MBA program at the University of Calgary.

Creegan-Dougherty says Maskwa Backcountry Foods needs to find a co-producer that can introduce new food canning technology and focus on reducing food waste in order to grow.

“We can use the new technology while keeping the traditional local teachings of drying all the food,” he said.

“So I'm exploring technology with my supervisor at the University of Calgary to really complete the package of Indigenous culture, sustainability, technology, and ultimately, maybe our own institution. we can produce food.'

Creegan-Dougherty and her business participated in the Entrepreneurs Organization's Global Student Entrepreneur Awards national competition, where she placed fourth and advanced to the North American finals in Kitchener, Ont.

“It means I'm just out of the picture, but I'm one of four Canadians competing against five Americans in Kitchener,” he said.

“Not only do I get really valuable experience, but they cover (all expenses) so I still get to travel, get experience, get all the coaching and training, which is really valuable.”

Kitchener's first- and second-place students will advance to the global event in Dubai, where they will compete against top students from more than 50 countries for $100,000 in prizes.

To learn more about Maskwa Backcountry Foods, you can visit the company's website.