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When I was a teenager and in my early 20s, I was active in the all-ages punk rock community in Sudbury and Calgary. In fact, I got my start in publishing by putting together a DIY punk rock fanzine before moving on to co-edit a section in Calgary’s alternative monthly newspaper, Vox, about the city’s vibrant all-ages scene in the 1990s.
On Friday, I had the opportunity to visit The Globe Live Studio on Front Street and am happy to report that the kids are alright.
The energy and ethos that I saw there reflects the best aspects of the punk community. Kids were there having fun, dancing, singing along to the bands and supporting one another.
It’s clear how important The Globe is to the local all-ages scene and how youth in Nanaimo are creating a space to express themselves through music.
You can read my story on Nanaimo’s growing youth-led punk scene below.
Thank you for reading,
Mick Sweetman
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| At the centre of Nanaimo’s all-ages punk scene
| Hundreds of youth, and a few parents, pack all-ages punk shows at The Globe Live Studio every weekend.
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| Read the full story
| | I support The Discourse because... |
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“Good local news.”
— Wilfrid, a supporter of The Discourse Nanaimo
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| I support The Discourse
| | On the Island |
| Meet the researcher putting Indigenous knowledge at the heart of ecological restoration
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For decades, well-intentioned conservationists have been restoring culturally significant Indigenous places without the peoples they belong to. Researcher Jennifer Grenz says that’s exactly why so many of those efforts have failed.
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| Read the full story
| | Council corner
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The City of Nanaimo reached a three-year agreement with its 760 unionized employees who are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The contract will see a general wage increase of four per cent per year and reflects settlements in other communities in central and north Vancouver Island, per a press release from the city. The contract covers until Dec. 31, 2028.
In council business this week, the Board of Variance will meet on Thursday to discuss a zoning variance request at 688 Western Acres Rd.
The next regular city council meeting will be held on Monday, April 13.
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In other news |
👉 The Snuneymuxw Islanders basketball team won the U-13 Gold division girl’s championship, beating the Mini Mystics 69-22 on March 20. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.
👉 Tod Maffin is working to organize the second annual Nanaimo Infusion on the April 24 to 26 weekend, welcoming visitors from the United States. The local social media influencer has been working over the past year to help recruit U.S. health-care workers to move to Nanaimo. A group photo will be held on Saturday, April 25 at noon in Maffeo Sutton Park. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.
👉 Nanaimo’s Cameron Whitcomb won two Juno Awards: Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Country Album of the Year for his album “The Hard Way.” Nanaimo News Now has the story.
👉 Islands Trust is calling on the province to affirm its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Islands Trust voted to send a letter to Premier David Eby calling on the government to fulfil its commitments to UNDRIP and the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The Gabriola Sounder has the story.
👉 Nanaimo’s RCMP detachment is one of four in the province to have a new sign-language interpreting system. The pilot program will provide immediate access to qualified sign language interpreters. CHEK News has the story.
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| In your words
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Re: Packed OneBC meeting in Nanaimo taps into controversy over Indigenous rights
Thank you, Mick, for the great reporting and taking the time to sit through a OneBC "townhall" that was probably not a fun time for you. — Dwight Milford
Very nicely said, Mick! I appreciate the balanced, honest, researched and respectful journalism that you do. — Lori Nichols
Good on you for reporting on Dallas Brodie! I am firmly in her camp. We need to speak openly about what’s happening in B.C. Thank you. — Gloria Gottfried
Do you have something to say about our coverage or about something in Nanaimo? We accept short (100 words maximum) letters that we may print in an upcoming newsletter. Letters may be edited for length and style. Email nanaimo@thediscourse.ca with "letter to the editor" in the subject line. |
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