A confluence of solutions and culture
The Wren is an independent local news outlet founded in 2022 by and for the Kamloops (Tk’emlúps) community. We believe in community-driven and community-funded journalism because this model ensures our reporting reflects the diversity and needs of the people who live here. This model keeps us accountable to the community over any other stakeholder.
Feedback from readers like you, who care about the future of Kamloops, helps guide our values and reporting. And support from readers who recognize the value of the stories we tell allows The Wren’s community journalism to remain free and accessible to everyone.
Who is behind The Wren?
Our team is led by a few dedicated settler journalists with strong connections to Kamloops (Tk’emlúps) and the surrounding region and who are passionate about bringing in-depth, community-driven journalism to the Interior.
The Wren is always looking for local storytellers and photographers. If you’d like to contribute or know someone who would, send Brandi an email at editor@thewrennews.ca.
Brandi Schier
Publisher
Lauren Kaljur
Managing Editor
Lauren Kaljur is an Estonian settler who works with Discourse Community Publishing outlets to surface local, in-depth stories from people who have been excluded from public dialogue.
She’s passionate about innovation and collaboration in storytelling and her solutions reporting can be found in The Discourse, Reasons To Be Cheerful, Hakai Magazine, Maisonneuve, and many others.
She works from the homelands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Hollie Ferguson
Community Editor
Hollie works from the traditional and unceded territories of the Liqʷiłdaxʷ people, specifically the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations.
As the editor for The Wren, Sun Peaks Independent News and the Revelstoke Mountaineer, Hollie is proud to guide and support the work of Discourse Community Publishing’s talented journalists.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping and spending time with her pups.
Macarena Mantilla
Community Journalist
Macarena Mantilla moved from Ecuador to pursue her degree in journalism at Thompson Rivers University. She seeks to amplify the stories of people in the Tk’emlúps (Kamloops) territory. Growing up in Quito, Ecuador taught her about different cultures and obtained a rounded knowledge. She is interested in reporting on social issues, mental health and human rights. She has covered stories that have focused on minorities in the community.
Lyssa Martin
Community Journalist
Having grown up as a third generation Kamloopsian on the North Shore, a stone’s throw from the beach where the Thompson Rivers become one, Lyssa brings to The Wren a passion for learning and sharing local knowledge. Lyssa’s countless hours at the Kamloops Museum and Archives produced The Wren’s History of the Confluence series.
Justin Moore
Originally from Langley, B.C., Justin moved to Kamloops over ten years ago and never looked back. Taken by the region’s unique climate, tight-knit community and sprawling adventure scene, Justin is proud to call Kamloops home. With a strong background in regional tourism, community journalism and digital marketing, Justin brings a wealth of expertise and local insight to the role of Partnerships & Sales Specialist for The Wren. Outside of office hours, you can find him at your local coffee shop or assume he’s backpacking B.C.’s stunning mountain passes.
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
As per our partnership agreement, The Wren retains editorial independence in all circumstances.
Funding partners do not have any input into the stories we produce.
