Catherine August

Catherine Delphine August is a Canadian horticulturist, tradesperson, and proud member of the Shuswap Nation (Secwepemc) from Kamloops, British Columbia. Renowned for her wide-ranging expertise in both sciences and trades, Catherine is especially celebrated for her commitment to horticulture and master gardening. Despite enduring significant early challenges and later-life hardships, Catherine’s story is one of resilience, strong family ties, cultural pride, and an ever-evolving journey toward healing and finding daily happiness.

Catherine Delphine August was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Her early childhood was marked by family upheaval; her parents separated when she was young, leading to several transitions in her caretaking situation. Initially, Catherine lived with her mother in Kamloops, alongside her mother's abusive boyfriend, yet she describes being somewhat spoiled by him during this period. A vivid anecdote from her youngest years includes falling out of a car, an event whose details she only remembers through family stories rather than her own recollection. One memory that stands out for Catherine is playing the Atari game system—offering her moments of joy amongst the challenges of her early home life. Eventually, Catherine and her siblings were removed from their mother’s care and placed with their father, setting the tone for the rest of her childhood. Living with her father exposed Catherine to her Shuswap culture, which later became an integral part of her identity. Her upbringing by her father was deeply tied to the traditions and values of the Secwepemc people, emphasized by lessons on respecting nature, animals, and the importance of forgiveness.

Catherine’s educational journey began in Kamloops, attending schools on the city’s north shore before transitioning to Chase, British Columbia, upon her move to her father’s care. Her primary schooling continued at Chase Primary School, with middle years spent at Haldane School and her secondary education at Chase Secondary. Demonstrating dedication and academic aptitude, she graduated from high school early at age 17. Catherine then embarked on post-secondary studies at Thompson Rivers University, focusing on archaeology and science while also enrolling in geology courses. Her first year of university was challenging, but it marked the start of a diverse and impressive educational path. After two years in the Bachelor of Science program, Catherine shifted gears into the trades—a reflection of her practical skills and broad interests. She explored auto mechanics, sheet metal work, carpentry, plumbing, heavy-duty mechanics, electrical work, and ultimately found her greatest passion in horticulture. Catherine pursued four years of formal horticulture study and earned her Master Gardener ticket. Over the years, she undertook significant training in science, mechanics, and service industry skills, positioning herself as a versatile and knowledgeable tradesperson and gardener.

Catherine’s life is defined by her multifaceted talents and interests, blending hard-earned practical skills with a deep connection to culture and community. Professionally, she is most proud of her accomplishments in horticulture, holding a Master Gardener credential and overseeing landscaping and grounds maintenance at a prominent resort. Catherine also holds certifications or significant hands-on experience in heavy-duty and auto mechanics, plumbing, electrical, welding, sheet metal, carpentry, archaeology, and the wine and service industries. Her favorite professional memories stem from working at a resort golf course, where she quickly rose through the ranks and discovered her passion for horticulture. Outside of work, Catherine has long been an avid athlete and social butterfly. Soccer played a central role in her life until injuries led her to step back, while snowboarding saw her training with the First Nations team for the Olympics—an experience reflecting both her commitment to physical activity and her pride in her heritage. Catherine also finds joy in snowboarding, partying, playing video games, and maintaining a broad social circle. Unlike many, she is energized by crowds and thrives in social environments. As a member of the Shuswap Nation, her cultural upbringing involved profound respect for the land and traditional teachings, lessons she both credits for her resilience and passes on to her children. Recently, Catherine has confronted significant personal challenges, including homelessness and substance dependency, but remains steadfast in her refusal to compromise her integrity—she does not resort to theft or dishonesty even in dire circumstances. These hardships have colored her present day but have not quelled her hope or her tendency to value each day as it comes.

Family and relationships have always been at the center of Catherine’s life. Raised with a strong sense of cultural identity and self-worth by her father, who served as the head elder of the Little Shuswap Lake Band, Catherine developed close ties to her siblings and the broader Secwepemc community. Catherine’s family structure is large and multi-faceted: she has three full-blood siblings—her older sister Genie, older brother Rodney, and oldest sister Stephanie—as well as two half-sisters, Debbie and Beverly. The family remains tight-knit, bonded by their shared experiences and cultural heritage. Catherine herself is a devoted mother of two children: her son Drake, born September 19, who is now fifteen, and her daughter Lillian, born March 17, who is currently ten. For Catherine, motherhood is her most fulfilling achievement, and she has passed on the self-confidence and values instilled in her by her father to her own children. Despite facing hardship and adversity, the richness of Catherine’s family bonds and her love for her children have been lifelong sources of meaning and motivation.

Catherine’s dreams and aspirations have evolved throughout her life. Early ambitions included high achievement in both academic and professional domains, and she largely succeeded, building a diverse and accomplished resume across scientific and trade fields. She once aspired to athletic grandeur, even training for the Olympics in snowboarding. Catherine’s enduring love for science and learning has consistently guided her choices, and she expresses particular fascination and excitement for scientific discovery. However, recent years have reframed Catherine’s priorities. Her immediate and most pressing goal is to regain stability: to become sober and healthy, securing a life where she can be someone her children—and she herself—can be proud of. Rather than chasing accolades or external accomplishment, Catherine now values the daily pursuit of happiness, peace, and authenticity. She has resolved to live in the moment, prioritizing joy and contentment over traditional markers of success.