In the Community

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ officials smile for the camera

VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ celebrates 50 years in the qathet Region

October 16, 2024

A birthday celebration this month helped kick off a year’s worth of festivities. When Vancouver Island University (VIU) – then Malaspina College – began offering programming in Powell River, the first classes were offered out of a small office building on Marine Avenue. The campus, which offers a wide variety of programing designed to meet the unique and specific needs of community, the region... Read more


Kyle Wickland and Oscar Thoms have two glass tanks in front of them with thermometers and temperature gauges.

Learn about climate solutions and explore wildfire health risks at free climate conference

October 16, 2024

What: A Citizen’s Guide to Climate Success: A Climate Change Symposium  When: Saturday, October 26, 9 am to 1 pm, doors open at 8:45 am Where: VIU Nanaimo campus, Building 355, Room 203 Explore how people can take personal and collective action to help prevent extreme climate impacts during A Citizen’s Guide to Climate Success: A Climate Change Symposium. The symposium, presented by Awareness of... Read more


A scarecrow with a pumpkin for a hand and flower bouquets for hands is nestled among trees.

Celebrate autumn during Milner Gardens & Woodland’s Scarecrow Spectacular

October 10, 2024

What: Scarecrow Spectacular  When: October 25 to 27, from 11 am to 3 pm Where: Milner Gardens & Woodland Experience the beauty of fall at Milner Gardens & Woodland during the second annual Scarecrow Spectacular – a fun-filled family event. “We were thrilled with the incredible response to last year’s inaugural Scarecrow Spectacular and with the level of creativity our participating... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Georgina Martin.

VIU Professor’s new book explores identity and reconnection through reclamation

October 9, 2024

Dr. Georgina Martin is hosting a book launch on October 22, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm, at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre at the Nanaimo campus.  Dr. Georgina Martin’s new book Drumming Our Way Home: Intergenerational Learning, Teaching, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing draws inspiration from her Secwépemc culture and the teachings of her grandparents. It is an autobiographical journey that blends Indigenous... Read more


Actors Makenna Paugh, Cameron Greer and Ellie Crawford rehearse a scene from Tough.

Life’s unexpected realities explored in VIU Theatre department’s studio play – Tough

September 24, 2024

What: Tough – VIU Theatre department’s studio play When: October 3 to 5 Where: VIU’s Mike Taugher Studio (Building 330, Room 109), Nanaimo campus Friends Tina, Jill and Bobby are navigating the challenges of life after high school when Tina, Bobby’s girlfriend, announces an unexpected pregnancy. After the bombshell, the three must face the realities of life. Their story unfolds in the one-act... Read more


Three installation art pieces by Connie Michele Morey at the View Gallery.

VIU’s View Gallery presents Threadbare, an exhibit by Connie Michele Morey

September 11, 2024

What: Threadbare, an exhibit by Connie Michele Morey When: Exhibit runs until November 1. Opening reception and artist performance September 20 from 4 to 6 pm Where: VIU’s View Gallery Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) View Gallery hosts Threadbare, an exhibit by artist Connie Michele Morey. Threadbare runs until November 1 with an opening reception and artist performance on September 20,... Read more


VIU tiwšɛmawtxʷ on a sunny day

VIU’s tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus invites public input on future of post-secondary training in region

May 24, 2024

Residents can have their say through a survey and in-person session. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) tiwšɛmawtxʷ campus is planning for the future delivery of post-secondary education and training in the qathet region. The plan will ensure that program delivery reflects the needs of the community while contributing to the health and well-being of the region. Input from community will... Read more


Wildfire with silhouettes of trees

VIU News & Experts: May 1

May 1, 2024

Experts on harm reduction, wildfires and politics 🗣️ In this issue of VIU news & experts:  Substance use in public places: Harm reduction advocate and Nursing Professor Sarah Lovegrove Slowing the spread of wildfires: Dr. Sean Sloan, VIU Canada Research Chair in the Human Dimensions of Sustainability and Resilience Political scientists from across BC at VIU for conference Featured experts... Read more


A man and a woman kneel behind produce laid out on grass

Going beyond the bar: VIU students research Nanaimo’s culinary past

April 24, 2024

New exhibit tackling Nanaimo’s food histories now open at the Nanaimo Museum.­­ Beyond its famous, eponymous bar, Nanaimo’s culinary history is not widely renowned. A new museum exhibit created by two Vancouver Island University (VIU) History classes aims to alter that perception. During the Spring Semester, students from Dr. Chelsea Horton’s History of Vancouver Island class collaborated with Dr... Read more


Michael Mackenzie: Bad leaders, bad followers event postcard

VIU’s Engaged Citizens Speaker Series puts the spotlight on bad leaders and followers

April 11, 2024

Bad Leaders, Bad Followers: Threats to democracy that we don’t talk about enough – an edition of the Engaged Citizens Speaker Series When: Monday, April 15, 6:30 to 8:30 pm Where: VIU’s Malaspina Theatre (Building 310) or online via Zoom webinar. See Nanaimo campus map. Nanaimo, BC: There have been countless books written about leadership, but most focus on good leadership and what makes for a... Read more