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Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

Kelly Black, president of the Vancouver Island Local History Society and Eileen Gillette, executive director of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, helped bring The Great Vancouver Island Land Grab exhibit to Nanaimo’s Harbourfront library. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
The Great Vancouver Island Land Grab exhibit aims to educate

How a 19th century land grant continues to impact First Nations on Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo’s drag scene is thriving with performers such as Beelzebabe (clockwise from bottom left), Roxy Riverz, Spicee Pie, The Mortician and Olivia Leads who entertained a lively crowd at The Vault Cafe’s monthly drag night in May.
Nanaimo’s drag scene ‘is life saving’

“Drag shows and Pride are such a bastion of hope, community, solidarity and joy.’

A Nanaimo firefighter participates in a joint wildfire training exercise on May 9, 2026. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
What to expect on Vancouver Island this wildfire season

What meteorologists are saying to expect and how Nanaimo-area fire departments are preparing for the summer wildfire season.

The South Fork Dam has supplied Nanaimo with its drinking water since 1931 and is in need of repairs to plug leaking culverts and a new water supply pipe to replace the one that has been in continuous operation for almost 100 years. Photo courtesy of the City of Nanaimo.
What is the city doing to protect Nanaimo’s water supply?

From concrete pipes that can catastrophically fail to holes in the South Fork dam that could empty the reservoir within days, here’s how the City of Nanaimo is working to reduce the risk to residents.

Doug Cahill volunteers at the Foodshare farm in the Five Aces Community Park on Friday, May 1, 2026. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Nanaimo Foodshare gears up for growing season

Education programs for young and old on the farm at Five Acres Community Park contributes to local food security as grocery prices rise.

Sunk City, Nanaimo’s underground music and arts festival, is back again for the May long weekend and is returning to Sound Heritage’s backyard after a one-year hiatus for safety improvements. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Sunk City festival digs into Nanaimo’s underground music scene

Sound Heritage owner wants to create an outdoor community events space behind his store.

A woman wearing a Stop Wars shirt holds an American Flag and a toy bubble gun at the Nanaimo Infusion in Maffeo Sutton Park on April 25, 2026.
Second Nanaimo Infusion attracts hundreds of health-care workers

Nanaimo hospital ER now boasts a cohort of American nurses, and more want to join them.

Molly Blais, dressed as Dr. Seuss' character The Lorax, was one of hundreds of people who packed the public hearing for a rezoning proposal for a property owned by Nanaimo Forest Products adjacent to the popular Cable Bay Trail.
Snuneymuxw Elders and local residents oppose rezoning of land near Cable Bay Trail

Harmac officials say development of industrial park is key to economic diversification

Hilary Nester, a social service worker student, burns a heart with a name of someone they were close to who died from the toxic drug crisis at a Grief Fire event at Vancouver Island University on April 14, 2026. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years

Three residents share their stories about how the toxic drug crisis has impacted them.

Hunter Jarratt (left) and Julie Devereux help remove invasive Scotch broom from Lotus Pinatus Park in Nanaimo on April 2, 2026. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Broombusters celebrates 20 years of removing Scotch broom on Vancouver Island

This volunteer organization is removing invasive species to reduce wildfire risk and protect biodiversity.