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Last Friday, hundreds of people gathered in downtown Nanaimo to march in remembrance of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people. 

I was there to document the event, learn more about why people were there and help tell some of the many stories of people impacted by the gendered and racist violence that Indigenous women, girls and two spirit people face.

See my story below for photos of the march.

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

In photos: Hundreds march to honour MMIWG2S+ and bring justice for harms that ‘never, ever should have happened’

Nanaimo march brought the community together for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people.

🖊️ What you said ⌨️

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“Great event listings!”

— Casey, from our newsletter survey

🔎 Watch for🔎

Hank Pine (above) will play with Ailish D., Carolyn Mark, Kitty and The Rooster, Secret Emchey Society J. Bird and Sweet D. at The Vault Cafe on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🎵 Listen 🎤

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 8 p.m.: Carolyn Mark, Hank Pine, Ailish D., Kitty and The Rooster, Secret Emchy Society and J. Bird and Sweet D. will play at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15. 

Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m.: The James Vickers Band will play an all-ages show with the Bobby Francis Armich Band at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20.

Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: Econoline Crush and Wise Youngblood will play The Queen’s. Tickets cost $30. 

Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.:  The Dion Owen Cyclopath Comedy Tour with Peter Hudson will perform at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15-$20.

Friday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m.: Brewtality, Out Alive and Lid will play at The Terminal. Tickets cost $10.

Friday, Feb. 21, 9 p.m.: Aster Dawn, Maskara and NIV will play eclectic experimental pop and cinematic sound voyages at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.  

Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.: Foreign Influence will play a mix of originals and covers at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $15 or $20 at the door. 

Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: Tokyo Future, Laura Kelsey and Jacob Scheibel will play The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 p.m.: The City Snickers Comedy hosted by Devin Alexander with Sean McDonnell & Darcy Boon Collin at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15.

Sunday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.: Old Man Luedecke all ages show at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $25. 

Monday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.: Comedians Jon Dore, Pete Hudson and Nash Park will perform at The Queen’s, Tickets cost $40. 

Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.: Jeff Martin of The Tea Party will play at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $60.

🎭 View 🖼️

Friday, Feb. 21, noon: A lunchtime tour of the exhibit Trust Fall is led by a Nanaimo Art Gallery facilitator every Friday at noon through the run of the exhibition. 

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Dads! The Musical continues its run at the Bailey Studio until March 8. Tickets cost $26.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Friday, Feb. 21 to 22: The PACWEST Volleyball Championships will be held at the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Gym. Day passes cost $10 and tournament passes cost $15. Free for VIU students and children under 12.

Friday, Feb. 21 to 23: The Maple Sugar Festival will celebrate Nanaimo’s Francophone community at the Beban Social Centre. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for children.

Friday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.: The Nanaimo Clippers will play the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets cost $20. 

Saturday, Feb. 22, 1:30 p.m.: Local author Kevin Crowley will discuss his first book, Sir Middling U, a satirical novel about a university administrator who grapples with campus politics, at the Gabriola Library. 

Saturday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.: Join the Nanaimo African Heritage Society at its 25th annual Black History Month Gala at the Bowen Park Complex. Tickets cost $50. 

Sunday, Feb. 23, noon: Lions free skate at Frank Crane Arena.

Sunday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m.: Nursing professor Dr. Caroline Variath will discuss the top five myths about Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada at the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library. 

Tuesday, Feb. 25 to 26: The Global Citizens Forum at VIU will explore global perspectives and cultural diversity.

See you around town,

— Mick and The Discourse team

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