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Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse (Xumtilum), right, stands with federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Atly at the site of te’tuxwtun (Mount Benson) — where 80 hectares were added to the First Nation’s reserve lands on Oct. 16.
‘Nearly 200 years of big work and persistence’: te’tuxwtun lands returned to Snuneymuxw

Roughly 80 hectares of federal land near Vancouver Island University added to Snuneymuxw’s reserve

Activists carry a mock coffin at the march for International Overdose Awareness Day in Nanaimo on Aug. 29, 2025. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
‘Like a bomb dropping’: Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability

A local doctor says the province’s new safer supply rules are more about politics than public health.

Kate Rutherford, treasurer of the the Long Lake Flatwater Training Centre Society, said the new land purchased by the city for Loudon Park would be a suitable location for a new boathouse and activity centre. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Loudon Park to expand with purchase of new properties

City of Nanaimo spends $2.2 million to provide more options for future boathouse and activity centre, as well as increase park space.

A child wearing an orange shirt participates in the Every Child Matter march in Duncan on Sept. 30, 2025.
Every Child Matters march attracts thousands wearing orange on Quw’utsun lands

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation remembers Indigenous children who were sent to Indian Residential “Schools” in Canada

A woman wearing a headscarf and keffiyeh stands in front of the Palestine flag.
Palestine solidarity in Nanaimo continues as UN commission declares genocide in Gaza

Nanaimo councillor sponsors emergency UBCM resolution calling on B.C. to take action against Israel and support Palestinian resettlement.

Nanaimo Coun. Hillary Eastmure is pictured in Ottawa with the Parliament buildings in the background during her trip to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in May where she met with Members of Parliament about issues the city is facing. Photo courtesy of Hilary Eastmure / Facebook.
How much are Nanaimo councillors spending?

Council expense report shows fewer councillors attending national conferences this year.

Portrait of Lenae Silva
Q&A: Nanaimo artist Lenae Silva on substance use, support and ‘bright endings’

Lenae Silva talks about her experiences as a person who uses drugs in her new exhibit at Vancouver Island University.

Interim VIU president Dennis Johnson
Q&A: Interim VIU president says he wants to ‘turn VIU around’

Dennis Johnson talks about leadership, international students and finances in a sit-down interview with The Discourse.

Photo of Mount Underwood wildfire
What are forestry companies doing to prevent wildfires?

Critics say forestry practices must change as wildfire season intensifies

Mike Parker, chairperson of the Chase River Community Association, says there has been no complaints about the new supportive housing locations in his neighbourhood since they opened in mid-July.
Where supportive housing in Nanaimo is located and why

How two neighbourhood associations are welcoming supportive housing residents.