Mick Sweetman, Author at The Discourse.

Two children hold signs in support of VIU women’s basketball forward Hariette Mackenzie at a game on Nov. 8, 2024. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse

Trans athlete ‘love bombed’ by supporters after speaking out against harassment

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 15, 2024

People filled the stands at a recent VIU women’s basketball game in support of trans athlete Harriette Mackenzie

A veteran wearing a black beret and a black jacket with a red poppy salutes during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Nanaimo, British Columbia on Nov. 11, 2024

In photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2024

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 13, 2024

Veterans gathered for the Remembrance Day ceremony in Nanaimo on Nov. 11, 2024. Nanaimo reporter Mick Sweetman was there to photograph the event.

Photo of a woman wearing an apron serving a meal of vegetable curry on rice out of a pot.

‘It makes you feel not alone’: VIU meal program fights student hunger and loneliness

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 7, 2024

With food insecurity growing at Vancouver Island University, students and faculty are working to study the problem and respond.

VIU student journalist Alyona Latsinnik.

How a VIU student journalist broke an election scandal

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 31, 2024

The student journalist exposed a Conservative candidate’s racist remarks. Now the Island candidate won’t be running again.

Lisa Marie Young's photo, taken when she was 16, is taken out of a wallet and shown by her grandfather who is wearing a red jacket.

Lisa Marie Young remembered with tree planting

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 23, 2024

“All of Lisa’s loved ones finally have somewhere to come and mourn her,” says friend Cindy Hall.

What Nanaimo election candidates are saying about the environment

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 17, 2024

Nanaimo candidates answer reader questions about the environment in the lead up to B.C. election.

Housing Nanaimo. A photo of a single family house with a sold sign in the front yard.

What Nanaimo election candidates are saying about housing

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 17, 2024

Nanaimo candidates answer reader questions about housing in the lead up to B.C. election.

Photo of cartons of 2% Milk on a grocery shelf with the price of $4.85 for two litres.

What are Nanaimo candidates saying about affordability?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 16, 2024

Nanaimo candidates answer reader questions about affordability in the lead up to B.C. election.

7-10 Club staff hand out food to people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo on Oct. 20, 2023. File photo courtesy of Mick Sweetman / CHLY 101.7FM Local Journalism Initiative.

What are Nanaimo candidates saying about homelessness and social supports?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 10, 2024

Nanaimo candidates answer reader questions about homelessness and social supports in the lead up to B.C. election 2024.

Cree artist Michelle Sound stands in front of a photograph of her as a shield with her mother at a Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibit also featuring works from Snuneymuxw artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibit ‘the other side’ connects land and spirit

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● October 8, 2024

Michelle Sound and Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun explore connection between the land, family, and the supernatural.

Mick Sweetman

Trans athlete ‘love bombed’ by supporters after speaking out against harassment

In photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2024

‘It makes you feel not alone’: VIU meal program fights student hunger and loneliness

How a VIU student journalist broke an election scandal

Lisa Marie Young remembered with tree planting

What Nanaimo election candidates are saying about the environment

What Nanaimo election candidates are saying about housing

What are Nanaimo candidates saying about affordability?

What are Nanaimo candidates saying about homelessness and social supports?

Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibit ‘the other side’ connects land and spirit

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

Mick Sweetman

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