Career
In 1965, Nickerson arrived in the Northwest Territories and worked at the Discovery and Giant Mines. He then left this position to establish his own minerals exploration business. Nickerson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories for Yellowknife North in the 1975 Northwest Territories general election.
He served almost a full term before vacating his seat in 1979 to run in the 1979 Canadian federal election.
He would serve 3 terms in the Canadian House of Commons. Nickerson was defeated in the 1988 Canadian federal election by Ethel Blondin-Andrew from the Liberal Party of Canada.