Stories loading… come back soon!
Reply
Author Archives: luigiguilles
About Riya
Hi, I am Riya, a second-year student studying Communications at Thompson Rivers University(TRU). I am an international student from India and coming to Kamloops made me interested in the history of the place and its past with indigenous people. During this semester my investigative partner Macy will be mainly focusing on The Chinese Cemetery and its history. Our whole group is keen on researching and getting to know more about these places than we know. Throughout the semester we will be covering various landmarks such as the cemetery, Indian Residential School and Tranquille Sanatorium. Our main aim is to highlight the relevance of these places and their stories today and foster a deep understanding of their aftereffects on the community and their collective memories.
About Macy
Hi, I am Macy Block, a second-year student at Thompson Rivers University studying arts! While the creation of Tragic Truths of Kamloops is part of my Journalism course, the content of my exploration of the Chinese Cemetery in Kamloops, British Columbia is more than just coursework to me! This is because one of my passions is studying Canadian history so I am intrigued to take a deep dive into the dark historical truths surrounding the history of the cemetery. Throughout this website my co-writers and I will share the facts contextualizing why locations such as the Tranquille sanitorium, the Chinese cemetery and the residential school in Kamloops have “dark” histories. Along with giving you these facts about the cemetery, my reporting partner Riya Patel and I, hope to find new stories to share, compellingly broadening the awareness of T.R.U. ‘s population about their own communities’ history.
About Rayne
Hello, I am Rayne Dallas a second-year transfer student at TRU in the Communications and Digital Journalism degree. I am excited to write informational stories about Kamloops Residential School not only for this course load but also because I believe that this is a time in Kamloops past that should be known and talked about in the present. I believe it is important that the community of TRU knows about the events that have helped shape this town good or bad, and knowing the history of not only the city but Canada as a whole is always good for its citizens. Throughout the course, I am excited to take a deeper dive into the residential school with its history and facts to bring to you truly compelling stories. Every town has its version of “tragic truths” but learning from them is the way that generations can grow from the past.
About Luigi
Hello, I’m Luigi Guilles, a second-year international student from the Philippines. Before coming to Canada, I lived in Qatar for over a decade where I did my highschool studies – though I was born and raised in the Philippines until the age of 8. I have always loved media and am an active social media user, therefore it was only fitting for me to get a higher level of education on my interest. Though this course is a requirement for my degree, I find that attaining journalism skills is essential in networking and preventing the spread of misinformation.
Studying at Thompson Rivers University has enlightened me on Indigeneity, the Indigenous culture and also about Land Acknowledgement which is new knowledge to me as the academic curricula in both Qatar and Philippines lacked this. As I learned more about Kamloops History and the Secwépmec culture, it intrigued me to write stories on the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and further explore the real tragedies that accured in such a discriminatory institution. Tragic Truths of Kamloops aims to shed light on these strories and as an author I hope to provide our audience authentic and engaging news!
About Maria
Hi, I am Maria Schrauwen, a second-year Arts student at Thompson Rivers University studying English! For my journalism class, myself and my team will be working on a project called Tragic Truths of Kamloops, where we explore the history of significant places around the city. One of the main focuses my partner Kendra and I will be looking into is Tranquille Sanatorium, a location with a complex past. We are learning about its history and the experiences of the people who were there, uncovering some powerful stories that have been forgotten. In addition to the sanatorium, the rest of the team will be investigating other important sites around Kamloops, such as the Chinese cemetery and the residential school; to gain a deeper understanding of the local history and the impact it had on the community. Through this project, we hope to share these stories in a way that honours both the people and the events that shaped our city, all while also helping others connect to the past in a meaningful way.
About Kendra
Hi, my name is Kendra Andjleic, a second-year student from Winnipeg, Manitoba, currently studying at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC, where I’m pursuing a Bachelor of Psychology intending to become a psychiatric nurse. For our group project on Tragic Truths of Kamloops, I’ve chosen to focus on the Tranquille Sanatorium, a historic and eerie site just outside the city. Built in 1907 to treat tuberculosis, it expanded throughout the early 20th century and could house over 300 patients at its peak. As society progressed and we developed cures, the sanatorium was closed and turned into a mental health care facility. The sanatorium was abandoned in the 1980s and has become famous in Kamloops for its haunting reputation. My partner Maria and I hope to delve into this and get real stories of what happened before it was abandoned and why it is supposedly haunted.