The Discourse - Nanaimo

An artist with a mic sits on a speaker at the airport with the runway covered in a light blanket of snow and open blue skies.

Zimbabwean rapper Alpha Centauri lights up

By David Owen Rama ● Nanaimo ● March 21, 2023 March 21, 2023

With several genre-blending singles set to launch this year, the Nanaimo-based hip-hop artist reflects on the revelations that helped propel his craft.

Latest in Nanaimo

A hand holds up a collection of ocean themed books. In the background are shelves of books. The ocean themed books include The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Kraken by Wendy Williams, Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs, How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler, The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler, and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby van Pelt

Windowseat Books breaks the mold with a new kind of book club

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● March 16, 2023 March 16, 2023

At the new Read Wild Book Club, participants each choose their own book to read, rave and discuss.

Two smal dial meters connected on either side of water lines, one hot one cold.

Utility commission wraps up investigation into submetering company

By Julie Chadwick ● Nanaimo ● March 16, 2023 March 16, 2023

For several months, the BC Utilities Commission has been investigating Wyse Meter Solutions, a private company that charges Nanaimo renters directly for water.

A group of people stand with a banner and balloons with jubilant poses and expressions.

Celebrating women in the community

By Shalu Mehta ● Cowichan Valley ● March 8, 2023 March 8, 2023

This International Women’s Day, The Discourse is sharing stories from the past year that feature local women.

Members of NANDU, a peer run drug consumption group, sit in chairs watching a nurse demonstrate how to administer Naloxone.

Fact checking claims about NANDU and peer-run safe consumption sites

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● March 2, 2023 March 8, 2023

The Discourse takes a look at some claims about NANDU and safe consumption sites with registered nurse Sarah Lovegrove.

A Black woman standing combs hair away from another Black woman who is sitting.

Nanaimo business braids connection for Black community

By Rae-Anne Guenther ● Nanaimo ● March 1, 2023 March 1, 2023

Ophélie Kacoutié’s business Braids Nanaimo connects people with African roots through the art of braiding.

‘Canada’ and the church must do more for survivors: Randy Fred

By Randy Fred ● Nanaimo ● February 23, 2023 February 24, 2023

The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Elder, who endured nine years at AIRS, reflects on c̓išaaʔatḥ’s findings and what comes next.

Craig Evans, an older white man, looks at the camera with a big smile and holds up his fist in triumph. Beside him, looking at him with laughter, is writer Julie Chadwick

‘Everything in the garden has its season’: Craig Evans’ last summer

By Julie Chadwick ● Nanaimo ● February 17, 2023 February 17, 2023

How longtime farmer and food security advocate Craig Evans grew as much as possible, and said goodbye.

Filmmaker Michael Zelnicker speaks with author and professor Suzanne Simard, they both extend hands on a tree trunk in the forest.

‘From trees to toilet paper to treaties’: Documentary roots it all to the boreal

By Julie Chadwick ● Vancouver Island ● February 14, 2023 February 15, 2023

‘The Issue with Tissue’ weaves together knowledge from more than 50 Indigenous Elders, environmentalists and scientists to tell the complex story of the world’s largest intact forest.

The Discourse brings home SEVEN national journalism awards

By The Discourse ● Vancouver Island ● February 10, 2023 February 10, 2023

We’ve led the pack for two years running at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards.