Upper Similkameen Indian Band
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Upper Similkameen Indian Band Success Stories of 2023-2024
Thank you to USIB community for allowing me to work with you for another year. The service area covers Hedley to Tulameen, BC.
Client Supports is a program for Short-term training or work gear such as OFA Level 1, S100/185, Chainsaw Safety & Maintenance, etc. Work gear can include Steel toe work boots, rain gear, travel, etc.
In this fiscal year, nine people took advantage of this program.
Success stories of 2023-2024 is as follows:
Another successful year for Len Charters, a father of 3 children, has completed Level 4 of Heavy-Duty Trades Mechanic at Okanagan College in Kelowna.
Len has been working as an employee at the Copper Mountain Mine and was chosen out of 15 applicants to take the apprenticeship and has completed four years of Heavy Duty Mechanic – Trades.
What an accomplishment for this father of 3. He is a role model, and I am sure that he would tell you that it was worth the effort, commitment and sacrifices to work hard for your dream job. Red Seal means that he can work anywhere in Canada and the Territories. Congratulations Len on your completion!!!
Educational Quote by Abigail Adams:
“Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with Ardor and Diligence”
Dana Allison decided she needed a change in her career and wanted to work for her band. She requested funding to take the RISC (Resources Information Standards Committee) so that she can apply to work in the Natural Resources department at USIB. She completed the training and has been hired and loves her job. She is a single mom of one and is very motivated to add to her skill set. She has a very positive outlook on life, and the band is very lucky to have her as an employee. All the best in your future Dana, looks like you are in your element.
Another success story with this young lady, Jodi McRae, who had needed some First Aid training to apply to work at the USIB Daycare. She did 3 courses and applied for the daycare assistant job and nailed it. Congratulations Jodi. She was working in Penticton at a retail store, but it is quite the drive and she really wanted to work for her band, she had taken the Early Childhood Education training through NVIT and aced that. Now she is where she wants to be. She is very capable and deserving of what she has worked hard for and trained hard for. Keep up the great work Jodi.
Charlie Allison, a father of one has completed his Level 4 Heavy Duty Mechanic -Trades apprenticeship training. This guy also was chosen from a pool of 15 applicants from the mine. Charlie started out as a Labourer through USIB’s program that worked with the mine to hire first nations that live in this area six years ago. He worked his way to being chosen to take the Heavy-Duty Mechanic Apprenticeship training.
Charlie is also plays a leadership role in his community of Hedley since 2017 as a councillor-elected. He also is a role model for youth, he participated in a career fair at LSIB to talk to youth about the Trades. Way to go Charlie! Commitment paves the way!!!
Read our entire annual report in the: 
USIB Annual Report 2023-24
Past Reports