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micksweetman.bsky.social
Mick Sweetman
@micksweetman.bsky.social
1.5K followers 2K following 220 posts
Reporter and photographer for @thediscourse.ca in Nanaimo, British Columbia / Snuneymuxw Treaty territory. mick@thediscourse.ca
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Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
A list of events, ceremonies and information on Remembrance Day 2025 in the Comox Valley, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley
thediscourse.ca/vancouver-is...
Remembrance Day 2025 events on Vancouver Island – The Discourse.
Events, ceremonies and information on Remembrance Day 2025 in the Comox Valley, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley
thediscourse.ca
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Looking for something to do in Nanaimo this weekend? Check out our events listings, covering everything from local music, markets and sports.
👀 Like what you see? Tap the link at the top of the story to get these listings in your inbox every Thursday.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Events in Nanaimo for Nov. 6 to 13, 2025 – The Discourse.
Music, arts and community events listings in Nanaimo.
thediscourse.ca
November 7, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
The City of Nanaimo put additional protections in place for owners of mobile homes in the city, but advocates say it isn't enough.

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/a-st...
Manufactured Homes granted protections in Nanaimo – The Discourse.
New city policy outlines obligations for landowners who want to rezone manufactured home communities.
thediscourse.ca
November 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
If you are looking for haunted happenings in Nanaimo tonight (and this weekend) be sure check out this week's issue of The Hub, witch lists scores of spooky spots and poltergeist parties.
thediscourse.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...
Photo of a Jack O'Lantern in a corn field.
October 31, 2025 at 6:06 PM
micksweetman.bsky.social
I ain't afraid of no ghost!
October 29, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Explore Nanaimo's haunted history and spooky spots this week.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/haun...
Haunted Nanaimo: Spooky spots in the city – The Discourse.
From haunted fire halls to Gallows Point, Nanaimo has a history of otherworldly presences.
thediscourse.ca
October 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
“We never surrendered our land. Not one acre.”
te’tuxwtun lands added to Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve land – The Discourse.
Roughly 80 hectares of federal land near Vancouver Island University added to Snuneymuxw’s reserve
thediscourse.ca
October 22, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
kwardvancouver.bsky.social
fantastic and detailed piece by @micksweetman.bsky.social about the impacts and implications of the government's decision to make prescribed alternatives to the unregulated drug LESS accessible

#SafeSupply
October 15, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Members from Save Our Forests Comox Valley think the province should be doing more to protect old-growth forests and biodiversity, and they are not alone. Read the full story: thediscourse.ca/comox-valley...
Comox Valley group joins dozens of others in urging province to do more for biodiversity
Save Our Forests Comox Valley are not alone in thinking the province should be doing more to protect old-growth forests and biodiversity.
thediscourse.ca
October 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
micksweetman.bsky.social
This Monday's Nanaimo city council meeting created a friendship city policy, renewed the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Area, expanded two dry recovery houses and defeated a motion to support a community health centre. Read more in Council Corner:
thediscourse.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...
Photo of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and city councillors standing in front of the sign at Loudon Park holding a placard that shows the properties the city purchased to add to the park.
October 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
$2.2 million land purchase to expand Loudon Park was “fair market value,” Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/loud...
Loudon Park to expand with purchase of new properties – The Discourse.
City of Nanaimo spends $2.2 million to provide more options for future boathouse and activity centre, as well as increase park space.
thediscourse.ca
October 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
“They thought they were trying to civilize us, which is really ironic. They don't understand the cultural and traditional ways that we live and that we practice daily is our strength.”
Every Child Matters march attracts thousands in Duncan – The Discourse.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation remembers Indigenous children who were sent to Indian Residential “Schools” in Canada
thediscourse.ca
October 4, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. See the events in your community and additional resources in our special newsletter for today.

thediscourse.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...
Photo of a person wearing and orange shirt with the text “To honour the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and to remember the children who never made it home.”
September 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
“I know that $6,000 more to travel to a conference in Ottawa does seem like a lot of money, and it’s a lot of money to me,” Coun. Hilary Eastmure told The Discourse. “…But I really consider these conferences to be a critical part of my job as a councillor.”
How much are Nanaimo councillors spending? – The Discourse.
Council expense report shows fewer councillors attending national conferences this year.
thediscourse.ca
September 27, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
“Nanaimo activists have been an inspiration to people across the country and across the world.”
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/pale...
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.
thediscourse.ca
September 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Exciting news! The Discourse is a finalist for the 2025 Webster Awards in the Excellence in Community Reporting category for TWO different stories by reporters @juliechadwick.bsky.social and Rowan Flood. 🎉
Find links to the stories in this thread:
September 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
micksweetman.bsky.social
It was lovely to chat with Lenae Silva about her experience and upcoming art exhibition at @viuniversity.bsky.social organized by @viuhra.bsky.social.
September 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Layoffs at VIU not being done “willy nilly,” says interim @viuniversity.bsky.social president Dennis Johnson in sit-down interview with @thediscourse.ca. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/qa-i...
Interim VIU president says he wants to ‘turn VIU around’ – The Discourse.
Dennis Johnson talks about leadership, international students and finances in a sit-down interview with The Discourse.
thediscourse.ca
September 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM
micksweetman.bsky.social
Blue Sky Jo was a great film to see this afternoon. There are still tickets available for the 7 p.m. showing.
thediscourse.ca thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Sep 7
Our Nanaimo and Comox Valley reporters @micksweetman.bsky.social and @emrichards.bsky.social are at the @nifss.bsky.social screenings this afternoon at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Come say hello and watch some international films.
Photo of two men wearing glassing behind a laptop with the home page of thediscource.ca open.
September 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Critics say forestry practices must change as wildfire season intensifies
What are forestry companies doing to prevent wildfires? – The Discourse.
The Mount Underwood fire near Port Alberni burned over 35 square kilometers of forest and closed the primary road to Bamfield, part of it is private land
thediscourse.ca
August 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Deep Water Recovery, the company that has received local opposition for dismantling ships on a beach in Union Bay, has had its land lease cancelled by the province. Community members say this is a good first step, but argue for more robust regulations in Canada.
Union Bay locals await next steps after controversial shipbreaking lease cancelled
Deep Water Recovery, the company that has received local opposition for dismantling ships on a beach in Union Bay, has had its land lease cancelled by the province. Community members say this is a goo...
thediscourse.ca
August 14, 2025 at 6:42 PM
micksweetman.bsky.social
Parksville to Ladysmith is forecast to get some heavy smoke from the Mount Underwood wildfire tonight. Screenshot of the forecast for 9 p.m from firesmoke.ca/forecasts/cu...
August 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging in the Nanaimo Fringe Festival.
Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists – The Discourse.
Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging in the Nanaimo Fringe Festival
thediscourse.ca
August 13, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
Meet Robyn Radcliffe, director of The Raptors, and Kessy the kestral! This week, our reporter Eric headed out to The Raptors in North Cowichan to learn more about what pressures birds of prey are facing in the Cowichan Valley.
August 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
thediscourse.ca
How Makerspace Nanaimo grew from a small group with hand tools to a fully stocked shop with almost 100 members.
Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’ – The Discourse.
Community workshop a space where people can learn from one another
thediscourse.ca
August 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM