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Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

Karen Kuwica (left) and Fred MacDonald from the Newcastle Community Association want the proposed supportive housing building at 250 Terminal Ave. to be a “dry” building, something that is supported by the City of Nanaimo but has been rejected by the Minister of Housing. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Nanaimo council ask for ‘dry’ supportive housing dismissed by province

Community association and city council request permanent supportive housing on Terminal Avenue require abstinence.

Two women in a cafe stand and look at one another cautiously.
Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists

Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging in the Nanaimo Fringe Festival

Members of Makerspace Nanaimo receive training on a new, safe table saw that automatically shuts down if it senses a finger too close to the blade.
Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’

Community workshop a space where people can learn from one another

Two men paddle a wooden war canoe in a race
In photos: Snuneymuxw Days 2025

Third annual Snuneymuxw Days featured canoe races, a longhouse jam and basketball and brought the community together

Charlotte Cavalié from the Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition rides on the multi-use E&N trail.
How city officials and cycling advocates are addressing Nanaimo’s patchwork of bike paths

Nanaimo’s ‘bike lane Barbie’ says the city is working to make cycling more accessible for everyone.

A member of the Superstore team goes for a bellyflop to end their race at the 39th annual Silly Boat Regatta on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
In photos: Silly Boat Regatta raises serious support

Community takes the plunge in support of Nanaimo Child Development Centre

Indigenous activists confront armed soldiers in the movie Rocks at Whiskey Trench.
New Indigenous film series at Nanaimo Art Gallery aims to push reconciliation forward

The monthly film series will feature films telling stories from Indigenous perspectives.

Photo of a young woman speaking into a radio microphone with a rack of CDs behind her.
CHLY radio summer camp teaches kids media skills

Kids make radio shows and podcasts at ‘super fun’ summer camp at Nanaimo’s community radio station.

A photo of Sol de Metal playing at The Queen's as part of Nanaimo Reggae Massive.
Son de Metal creates ‘a music of working people’

Traditional Mexican son-rock fusion band will play Mansfield Park in Nanaimo on Wednesday, July 9.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2025.02.24-women-with-sign-and-phone-at-Nanaimo-city-council-meeting-by-Mick-Sweetman-1024x683.jpg A woman holds a protest sign and a cell phone during a Nanaimo city council meeting.
Nanaimo city council recording ban faces legal threat

A warning letter has been sent to the City of Nanaimo over two bylaws that ban recording public meetings or taking photographs or video in any city facility or recreation area.