Author

Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

Jon Sasaki sits beside his design of a raceboat inspired by a Japanese ofuro bathtub,
Trust Fall exhibit at Nanaimo Art Gallery ‘embraces the happy accident’

Jon Sasaki and Laura Gildner exhibit a journey into misadventure and miscommunication in Trust Fall.

Green Umbrella by Denise Tierney. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Six VIU alumni’s artwork showcased in new exhibit at The View Gallery

‘An eclectic, visually stimulating showcase.’

Photo of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog speaking at a Save Our Streets forum in Vancouver.
Nanaimo mayor calls for more involuntary care

Mayor Leonard Krog says involuntary care is needed for people with brain injuries acquired from toxic drug use at a Vancouver forum organized by the Save Our Streets Coalition.

Luminous Paths artist Mauro Dalla Costa standing in front of an art installation in a park.
Lighting up Nanaimo’s future

Luminous Paths art event celebrates 150th anniversary of the City of Nanaimo

Photo of RVs parked in the Living Forest Oceanside Campground under trees and an ocean sunset.
The best places to camp near Nanaimo

From beautiful ocean beaches to stunning waterfalls and forests and amazing lakes here are the best places to camp near Nanaimo.

Poster for The Stand showing people from the Haida nation blocking a road.
Q&A: The Stand’s filmmaker on the relevance of the 1985 Haida Gwaii blockade today

Haida director Chris Auchter says the pivotal story of the blockade teaches us to ‘treat each other with respect’

VIU women's basketball team forward Harriette Mackenzie plays defence.
VIU basketball team supports trans teammate, boycotts games at bible college

Team says safety of trans athletes is at risk and calls on league to take concrete action

Photo of a man with a beard wearing a ball cap and a shirt with a bald eagle.
Atticus Mercredi talks about Prophecy Club’s ‘angry Indigenous music’

Prophecy Club’s new Mushum EP has been well received by Island audiences.

a photo of a blue building
Year-round drop-in centre for people who are unhoused in Nanaimo to open in January

Councillors and city staff say that a permanent, purpose built building and provincial funding is needed for a long-term sustainable service.

Photo of a man speaking into a microphone while wearing a sign reading C.U.P.W. on strike.
Why Nanaimo postal workers are striking

Canada Post workers say they want to protect their benefits but the company says it needs financial sustainability.