My name is Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and I’m a settler historian and author. I started this project in 2015 when I was living on Treaty 6 territory in Edmonton, Alberta. I now live in Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki (Canada), but continue to research and write about the history and legacy of the Charles Camsell Hospital.
I also do research for former patients, individuals, and communities who are looking for information and answers. If you would like to support this work with a donation, I would be grateful. You can do so by clicking on this link.
For more information on me and my work, please visit my website at
ghosts of camsell 
Hello Danielle. Interesting to find this site and many things I wasn’t aware of as I was a young child when we lived near the hospital. My father was a doctor at the Camsell in the 40s and 50s and our family lived “on-site” for about six years. Many staff from cooks, porters, nurses, doctors etc as well as an anglican minister (who later married my husband and I) and a priest all lived side-by-side. Looking back it was a rather self-contained community and we children felt rather special – although the local primary school (I heard) referred to us as the “Camsell Brats” and particularly didn’t like us wearing our moccasins in the class room!! We weren’t allowed to visit patients in the hospital but became quite friendly with some through our window to sidewalk conversations and it was they who made moccasins and dolls for us. Over the years families moved on into “normal” residential suburbs and I haven’t lived in Edmonton for about 40+ years and wonder if any other former staff children have contributed to your project. Regards Diana
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Hi Diana, Thanks for commenting and sharing your story! I haven’t heard from any staff children living on site so was really interested in what you wrote. I will keep your words in mind and may follow up with you later, if that’s okay! Cheers, Danielle
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Hi Diana, Inglewood community members and organizations are having a Jane’s Walk (http://janeswalk.org/canada/edmonton/) during the May 6-8th, 2016, weekend. We thought we’d invite people to learn more about the history of the community and to promote an appreciation for the “Truth and Reconciliation” efforts. Would you be able to lead a walk around the Charles Camsell grounds and have conversations with the community? It would be very valuable to us.
Lynn
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Lynn – great idea! Hopefully Diana and others might be available. Miranda Jimmy is very busy these days but might also be interested – and there are many others in the community with deep knowledge of the site.
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Please offer my email to those who would like to share their knowledge and we can pick a time and day that suits them. Then we will post it on the Jane’s walk website. Thank you!
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Hi Danielle,
We have posted our Jane’s Walk for May 7th @ 11:30 am starting at the Woodcroft Library:
http://janeswalk.org/canada/edmonton/inglewoods-intrigue/
The community librarian has been researching and ordering archival material to share for our community walk, and she is willing to share what she finds. We also have a few people who have first hand experience with the hospital and a leader in the indigenous community to share some words. Do you know if anyone from your team is interested in sharing a story (or more) about the Charles Camsell? Thank you for your help.
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Hi Lynn, Thanks for letting me know. I’ll post the info and let them know they can get in touch with you!
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Thank you, Danielle for posting the recent documentary. It’s very interesting as is the history of the Charles Camsell.
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I am Forest Littke. Have just viewed your recent video “ghosts of camsell” Good job! I am searching for a photo of Charles Camsell for a book I am drafting. I live in China at this time.
If you can assist…much appreciated.
Fores
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Hi Forest, Thanks for your comment! Do you mean the man, Charles Camsell?
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