Tom Laskowski founded Midwest Native Skills Institute, Inc. in 1997 to provide small class sizes with individual instructiuon to teach comprehensive wilderness survival/self-reliance,, all at affordable prices. We pride ourself on the fact that people who attend our classes leave being competent with the skills they came to learn. All of our classes are hands-on Instruction. We limit most classes to 15 people or less to help insure this.  

A safe, fun, educational, and quality experience is our priority.  All classes at MNSI are taught by Tom and his instructors and not "summer helpers" or people new to the skills.

We use non-military Wilderness Survival techniques. Physical fitness is not required to attend a class. 80% of "Survival" is the knowledge of what to do" and only 20% is actually doing it.  You will never be "put on the spot" or be embarrassed while learning the skills. Students learn at their own pace with individualized mentoring (or coaching) by our instructors.

We also offer other "Self-Reliance" skills classes such as Edible & Medicinal Plant Classes, Soap Making, Food Canning, Wine Making, Cheese Making, Candle Making, Bee Keeping in the City, and personal growth classes such as Reiki and Shamanic Journeys Classes.