Lys Morton, Author at The Discourse.

Daniel Elliott of Raven Sky Productions holds eagle feathers against a backdrop of eagles. He is wearing a cedar headband and blanket.

Raven Sky Productions brings Indigenous storytelling to the screen

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● August 22, 2023

Local artists Daniel Elliott and David Malysheff partner to highlight Indigenous storytelling in Vancouver Island’s latest film production company.

The entrance to Snuneymuxw First Nation head office

After the City of Nanaimo moved to rezone an ancient Snuneymuxw village site, B.C.’s reconciliation minister stepped in

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● July 28, 2023

‘It’s important we allow time for this work to occur,’ the minister said as he offered mediation between the City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Millstone Riverfront developer.

The Nanaimo Fringe Festival banner is installed in the lead up to the 2021 festival.

Nanaimo Fringe Festival director steps down after community calls out transphobic online speech

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● July 13, 2023

The artistic managing director will continue to advise so the August event proceeds as organizers vow to investigate community safety concerns this fall.

Professor Caroline Josefsson, left, and VIU student Megan Kollman replant seedlings into the p'hwulhp ecosystem restoration plot at the Nanaimo campus.

Could p’hwulhp (Garry oak) ecosystems strengthen Vancouver Island’s climate resilience?

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● June 29, 2023

VIU’s p’hwulhp project restores the rare and endangered ecosystem on campus while researching how the drought-hardy tree could survive a warming climate.

Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse and Premier David Eby spoke with press while wearing traditional regalia and a gifted blanket.

Snuneymuxw First Nation reaffirms housing goal of 300 units by 2028

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● June 23, 2023

Snuneymuxw First Nation and B.C. celebrate two years of historic MOU housing partnership.

Three photos side by side. First is an aged photo of the author as a young visibly queer child, second is the author at Nanaimo pride, third is Lys Morton's author photo.

Reporter’s Notebook: ‘Pride is a protest’ as queerphobia rises on Vancouver Island

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● June 1, 2023

2SLGBTQ+ Canadians say rising queerphobia in the U.S. is creeping its way to Vancouver Island. Reporter Lys Morton reflects on community safety.

Frankie Bouchier and Joshua Holloway, two white men, rest heads against one another as they both look at the camera and smile.

Love ‘knows no distance’ in Joshua and Frankie’s debut musical

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● May 24, 2023

Distance, an online love story turned musical, tells the true story of Frankie Bouchier and Joshua Holloway’s relationship.

The kwula’xw village site borders what is now called Nanaimo River and sits in the 41 hectares of land returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Snuneymuxw reclaims kwula’xw in Land Back deal that will bring members home

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● May 22, 2023

“We are working to ensure more of our people can live here and thrive as the Ancestors intended,” Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse explains.

Monarch butterfly on some flowers, orange wings spread open

How campaigns to save the monarch butterfly can threaten Vancouver Island’s biodiversity

By Lys Morton ● Vancouver Island ● May 4, 2023

Campaigns mailing out milkweed seeds for monarch butterflies could be introducing more invasive species to Vancouver Island, experts say.

Disabled advocates hold up signs reading "we are not disposable." Two are in wheelchairs, one with crutches and others walk unassisted. One wheelchair user has a service dog.

New federal disability benefit must avoid the ‘same poverty traps,’ disabled residents say

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● April 27, 2023

Bill C-22 aims to lift disabled Canadians out of poverty. But disabled residents are concerned it could create the same barriers as provincial aids.

Lys Morton

Raven Sky Productions brings Indigenous storytelling to the screen

Nanaimo Fringe Festival director steps down after community calls out transphobic online speech

Snuneymuxw First Nation reaffirms housing goal of 300 units by 2028

Reporter’s Notebook: ‘Pride is a protest’ as queerphobia rises on Vancouver Island

Snuneymuxw reclaims kwula’xw in Land Back deal that will bring members home

New federal disability benefit must avoid the ‘same poverty traps,’ disabled residents say

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

Lys Morton

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