Hello my name is Donovan Grube Cavers.

I grew up on a small, third generation, organic farm on unceded Secwepemc territory near Chase, BC. My maternal grandfather, Henry Grube an immigrant from Denmark, was able to purchase the farm after serving in the Canadian Army during World War II.Ā  I feel fortunate to have grown up learning how to produce healthy food.Ā  At an early age, I learned the value of hard work while concurrently enjoying the beauty and gifts of the natural environment as we lived by the South Thompson River.Ā 

Education is central to my family.Ā  My parents, Anne Grube and Don Cavers, were both elementary school teachers. My grandfather served almostĀ 30 years as a School Trustee; the District 73 Education and Resource Centre is named after him.

I graduated from John Peterson Secondary School in 2003 and pursued Culinary Arts through the program at what was then the University College of the Cariboo (now TRU). After working at several reputed restaurants in Kamloops, Vancouver and in Marseille, France I started my own small business, Conscientious Catering, in 2007. A decade of providing local, organic food for residents in theĀ Kamloops area eventually brought me to the understanding that cateringĀ  was not my life calling. Running a small business was a labour of love. But the experience taught me many organizational and team building skills which I am carrying with me into teaching.

In 2010 I became heavily involved in a campaign to stop the Ajax mine from being established just 2 kilometers from Pacific Way Elementary School. This campaign eventually lead to a run for City Council which I was elected to in 2011 and re-elected to in 2014. While on council I served on the Social Planning Council, the Community and Council Services Committee, the Fraser Basin Council, the Official Community Plan Renewal Committee and the Transportation Master Plan Renewal Committee. The Ajax mine application was rejected in 2017.

My travels in various countries in Europe, as well as Cuba, Mexico, Japan and Hawaii, have given me the opportunity to develop a global perspective.Ā  I have also been able to hone my French skills and to gain knowledge of other cultures first-hand.

I enjoy staying busy and active in the community. When I have a few moments to myself, I can usually be found reading, mountain biking, canoeing, hiking, gardening, splitboarding or cross-country skiing.

I speak French fluently.