Catherine Schubert

Catherine O’Hare Schubert was, without a doubt, one of Western Canada’s most resolute pioneer women. She was the first white woman to travel over land from Eastern Canada to BC. When gold was discovered in BC, her husband Augustus joined a group nicknamed the “overlanders”, a group of 35 settlers that became the first to cross Canada by land. Having no intention of staying home to take care of their farm and store, she joined her husband on the journey. When they departed Catherine was 4 months pregnant.  They brought along their 3 small children, ages 5, 3 and 1. Catherine went into labour while floating down the Thomson Okanagan River.  Once ashore, First Nations women took care of her at their local village. Catherine Shubert remained a contributing member of her community until she passed away in 1908.