Naman Shrestha
Out of the five participants in Amazon Prime’s ‘Hard North,’ Emily Veilleux and Gilbert Chookomoolin were able to showcase the importance of teamwork in their quest to build a life in the extreme conditions of the Canadian wilderness. Having each other’s back throughout the survival docuseries, the couple constructed a cabin from scratch, thanks to Gilbert’s bushcraft skills and knowledge and Emily’s hard work. Owing to their determination and teamwork, they garnered a strong fan following on the show.
While Emily Veilleux is a Health Director, Gilbert Chookomoolin is Employed as a Commander
Before Emily (Émilie) Veilleux and Gilbert Chookomoolin’s paths crossed with each other, they went through their respective professional journeys, allowing them to build a secure future. Hailing from Gatineau, Quebec, Emily completed her education and worked as an Emergency Room Nurse for about three years at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Quinte Health Care (QHC). On the side, she also served as a northern nurse at Health Canada from January 2015 to April 2019. After gaining plenty of experience in the medical industry, she moved on to Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, where she was employed as a Registered Nurse.
In June 2021, when Emily got a chance to work as a Public Health Nurse at Porcupine Health Unit, she took it. However, nearly a year later, in May 2022, she became the Executive Director at Waweniwin-Head Start Moosonee and lived in Moosonee, Ontario, for a short while. However, since January 2023, she has been serving as the Health Director at Weenusk First Nation. On the other hand, after passing out from Timmins High and Vocational School, Gilbert Daryl Chookomoolin went to Harvard University and graduated with a degree in 1989. According to reports, he also studied VooDoo at Diễn Đàn Sinh Viên đại học Kinh Tế Quốc Dân. Formerly a Researcher at the European Space Agency (ESA) from April 2007 to May 2009, Gilbert is currently also employed at Weenusk First Nation, but as a Commander.
Emily and Gilbert Often Take Their Kids on Adventures and Encourage Them to Stay Close to Nature
From what we can tell, Emily Veilleux and Gilbert Chookomoolin have been together for at least a decade. During the time they have been together, they have welcomed three lovely children — Mikaël, Annie, and Brooke. Aside from all the wholesome and upbeat moments, the pair has also faced several obstacles along the way. Emily highlighted the same in a heartfelt post she dedicated to her partner on his birthday in 2021, writing, “I realized something.. my god our kids aged us lol! But I also see something else, we’ve been through a lot and always made the best of it, we let the wind take us where we need to be.”
She also opened up about how Gilbert has changed her life for the better. “I never thought I would have met someone just like me. I’ve always tried to hide who I am because I often felt like I was different..or didn’t fit in, but you let me find myself and be who I am, truly. The moment I met you, I felt at peace, felt as if we had been searching for each other our entire life without knowing it,” she added. Around late July 2024, the family traveled to Hawley Lake for five days to assist in the opening of a camp.
After wrapping up the errands, they decided to extend their trip and have a fun time at the lake. For Halloween 2024, they decorated their house with several items that showcase the spooky vibe of the holiday, including fake skeletons, spiders, and pumpkins, and even got their children to cosplay. As of today, the couple reside in Peawanuck, along with their children. Every now and then, the small family of five ventures out into nature for small adventures, such as camping, boating, and fishing.
Read More: Margot Bossus: Where is the Hard North Participant Now?
