Lower Similkameen Indian Band
LSIB plays a pivotal role in the realization of the community garden and food hub initiative. Generously donating the lease of community land to the project, the Band demonstrates its commitment to supporting local food initiatives and community well-being. Additionally, the Band provides crucial administrative support and facilitates various activities associated with the garden and food hub. Donna Wilchynski, employed by the Band, is the team leader, and direct connection to the Band, who enthusiastically aids us in our efforts for the garden.
Dixon Terbasket
Dixon’s passion for organic farming traces back to 1978 when he embarked on his journey with Similkameen Native Organic Produce, a pioneering venture in certified organic farming during the 1980s. His dedication to organic farming led him to establish a comprehensive wholesale distribution and marketing system, as well as a retail outlet, promoting access to healthy, locally grown produce within the community. Following a 15-year hiatus dedicated to land management for the Okanagan Nation, Dixon returned to his roots in farming, driven by a deep-seated commitment to community well-being and sustainable food systems. Dixon channels his wealth of experience and expertise into managing the community garden and food hub on a full-time basis.
Hannah Field
Hannah serves as the Garden and Food Hub Coordinator, entrusted with a comprehensive range of responsibilities crucial to the project’s success. Hannah’s role extends beyond mere coordination, encompassing strategic planning, resource allocation, and community engagement initiatives. Hannah’s leadership shines as she navigates the complexities of managing the garden and food hub activities. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, she meticulously oversees budget management, ensuring that financial resources are allocated efficiently to meet project objectives.
Coven Terbasket
Coven supports Hannah in delivering the garden’s administrative requirements, including financial organization, record keeping, and reporting, while also providing practical, hands-on support when needed. She also helps with communications and outreach by sharing updates and events, welcoming visitors, and documenting day-to-day activities, helping connect the work happening in the garden with the wider community. Coven was brought on to the team as the Administrative Assistant in 2024 with support from the Okanagan Training and Development Council and is now a full-time employee supported by LSIB and external grant funding.
Humaira Hamid
Humaira joined the team as the Program Development Officer in autumn 2025. She leads the training, education, and learning programming at the gardens including volunteers. Her role centers indigenous peoples’ participation in skill development opportunities and addressing barriers to their participation. She also works to provide meaningful opportunities for non-indigenous people to be involved in the garden and food hub.
Kyla Fortushniok
Kyla works alongside knowledge keepers, community members, and Elders to nurture the native plant nursery and associated teachings, at the gardens and on the land. She coordinates learning opportunities for community members, and the wider local community, who are interested to learn how to respectfully cultivate, harvest, and seed save plant kin native to the Similkameen.
Jennaye Bellarose
Jennaye is our 2026 season Farm Apprentice, connected to the garden through the Young Agrarians program. Jennaye’s skills in engineering, paired with her openness to learning, has been an asset to the season’s garden activities including garden-wide irrigation, greenhouse management, planting, produce care, and harvesting.
Joseph Raphael
Joseph was an active team member at the gardens from 2023-2025, working full-time as a trainee supported by Okanagan Training and Development Council. Joseph had his hands on any practical task the garden needed during a crucial stage, including weeding, fencing, irrigation setup, planting and harvesting.
