Cathalynn Cindy Labonté-Smith grew up in Southwestern Alberta and moved to Vancouver, BC, to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia (UBC). After graduation, she worked as a freelance journalist until present. She became a technical writer in wireless communication and other high-tech industries, earning a Certificate in Technical Writing from Simon Fraser University. She later went to UBC to complete a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) and taught English, journalism, and other subjects at Vancouver high schools. She currently lives in Gibsons and North Vancouver, BC, where she writes, edits, plays with her chihuahuas, spends time with her friends, fellow writers and family. She is the founder and president of the Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society, member of the Federation of BC Writers, The Writers Union of Canada, North Shore Writers Association, and Canadian Authors Association among other writers' organizations. She is a member of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA).
Search and Rescue in North America.
I have a highly interactive workshop that engages the audience about the misconceptions of search and rescue. I often have co-presenters join me, such as Search and Rescue K9s and their handlers, local Search and Rescue members who may be profiled in my book. I have had survivors of avalanches, those who have gone missing, or family members who are still waiting for their loved ones to be found come to my presentations, who are part of the conversation.
