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Lys Morton

Lys's Latest Articles

Four people huddle around a propane fireplace, viewed from above.

After Nanaimo’s only warming centre suddenly closed, this organization stepped up

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● December 22, 2021

Within hours, RISEBRIDGE brought the community together to provide a low-barrier emergency warming centre, maintain fragile relationships and rebuild trust.

A birds eye view of two students in the School Water Stewards program as they look closely at a white buckets of stream water to assess its health.

These elementary school students are restoring neighbourhood waterways

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● December 16, 2021

School Water Stewards program helps students foster connection and responsibility to local streams, marshes and lakes.

The fence at Wesley Street, photographed in February 2021 by resident and advocate Myra Thomson.

What a judge’s ruling on homeless camps could mean for unhoused citizens of Nanaimo

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● November 18, 2021

After the B.C. Supreme Court ruled a Prince George homeless camp can stay, cities like Nanaimo need to ‘rethink why they’re doing,’ says law professor.

A southern resident killer whale mother and her calf are photographed swimming in 2004. Orcas stay with their mother throughout their lives, even after they have offspring of their own.

Matriarch orca’s death may explain J pod’s absence, this scientist says

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● September 9, 2021

While environmental factors like the decline in salmon likely played a role, the real ‘catastrophe’ may have been the end of her 106-year reign.

Sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good have spent the last few years building Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design into a cherished family business showcasing the art of Coast Salish-inspired fashion.

Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design: ‘That show has to go on.’

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● September 2, 2021

Community gathers to support second-generation Snuneymuxw design house in rebounding from fire.

People in academic robes and face masks stand on stage for a COVID-style grads ceremony at VIU 2021.

Lessons from Vancouver Island’s 2021 grads

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● July 1, 2021

‘I recognized that my mental health was more important than sitting at my desk writing a thousand discussion questions.’

A spectacular view of Nanaimo from Cottle Hill.

A message from Lys Morton, The Discourse’s newest intern

By Lys Morton ● Nanaimo ● June 24, 2021

‘My goal in journalism is to heal and reshape how LGBTQ2+ stories are told in news spaces.’

Lys Morton

After Nanaimo’s only warming centre suddenly closed, this organization stepped up

These elementary school students are restoring neighbourhood waterways

What a judge’s ruling on homeless camps could mean for unhoused citizens of Nanaimo

Matriarch orca’s death may explain J pod’s absence, this scientist says

Ay Lelum-The Good House of Design: ‘That show has to go on.’

Lessons from Vancouver Island’s 2021 grads

A message from Lys Morton, The Discourse’s newest intern

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