David Minkow, Author at The Discourse.

A man measures a large Douglas fir tree in Wildwood Ecoforest

Wildwood Ecoforest gains nearly 9 hectares of ‘untouched’ land

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● October 9, 2025

Success of fundraising campaign brings the famed demonstration forest back to more than two-thirds of its original size.

Reporter’s notebook: How a news story erased the Cow-op’s debt

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● January 23, 2025

The Discourse published a story about the Cow-op’s financial state. Then an anonymous donor made it disappear.

A person dressed in a Pennywise costume stands next to an animatronic clown in front of a black backdrop at the Glenora Haunted Hall

Big scare or little scare: Haunted Hall in Glenora is a hidden treasure

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● October 31, 2024

The Glenora Haunted Hall fundraiser for a local playground is all about the fun, according to its founders and volunteers.

A group of seven people, four standing and three kneeling in front, pose outdoors for a photo with mountains seen behind. They are current and former Cow-op staff.

Ten years in, Cow-op is at a crossroads

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● October 24, 2024

The co-operative online market for Cowichan farmers and food producers is trying to work its way out of debt.

Three people sit at a table as part of a panel discussing the toxic drug crisis in Cowichan. A man in the centre and a woman on either side.

Toxic drug crisis in Cowichan will only get better with collaboration, experts say

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● October 10, 2024

Better Together Cowichan event addresses empathy and collaboration as tools to combat toxic drug crisis.

Four people stand in front of the emergency walk-in entrance at the Cowichan District Hospital.

New family medicine residency program aims to ease Cowichan doctor shortage

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● September 26, 2024

Almost one in four local residents continue to lack access to primary health care.

Development proposals on both sides of the Cable Bay Trail have Cedar residents mobilizing in opposition

By David Minkow ● Nanaimo ● June 6, 2024

The Save Cable Bay group is calling on local governments to make the area a park.

Five women gather in front of a large red ribbon, each holding a large pair of red scissors as they cut the ribbon. They all carry expressions of excitement and happiness on their faces.

Reporter’s Notebook: The Cowichan women’s shelter that a community built

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● January 4, 2024

The tumultuous ride to establish what’s now the Cedar Branches Women’s Shelter appears to finally be over.

Home is where The Hawthorn is

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● October 12, 2023

Approaching 50 years on her magical land in Glenora, local folk herbalist Bernice Woollam continues to draw strength and guidance from it.

An image of the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools district office, with a sign out front.

Three school districts cut ties with Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes over discrimination concerns

By David Minkow ● Cowichan Valley ● August 3, 2023

Camp Qwanoes executive director says the camp is being misrepresented and questions the religious inclusivity of the school districts.

David Minkow

Wildwood Ecoforest gains nearly 9 hectares of ‘untouched’ land

Reporter’s notebook: How a news story erased the Cow-op’s debt

Big scare or little scare: Haunted Hall in Glenora is a hidden treasure

Ten years in, Cow-op is at a crossroads

Toxic drug crisis in Cowichan will only get better with collaboration, experts say

New family medicine residency program aims to ease Cowichan doctor shortage

Development proposals on both sides of the Cable Bay Trail have Cedar residents mobilizing in opposition

Reporter’s Notebook: The Cowichan women’s shelter that a community built

Home is where The Hawthorn is

Three school districts cut ties with Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes over discrimination concerns

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society name change to Ballenas ‘in discussion’ for years,’ says CEO

10 ways to better support tenants with vulnerabilities due to income, age or disabilities

‘I want it to stop’: Tenants and advocates allege bullying by non-profit housing provider

Q and A: What are vulnerable tenants rights in non-profit housing?

Who will protect low-income seniors from dying in extreme heat?

Seniors left in distress — or dead — for days in Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society units

David Minkow

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