The Secret Scavenger Squad

Short Stories from The Arts Incubator Winnipeg and Art Borups Corners Storytelling Clubs

Published by the Arts Incubator Winnipeg, The Secret Scavenger Squad asks: What happens when your passion for invention clashes with an unfair truth? Eleven-year-old Tyler lives for the “Future Makers” invention fair, a chance to bring his wildest ideas to life with gears, wires, and a soldering iron. But when new classmate Mila arrives, quietly brilliant yet struggling to afford materials for her own ingenious project, Tyler’s world shifts. He sees the subtle worry, the quiet frustration, and realizes that not everyone gets a fair shot at building their dreams.

Knowing Mila is too proud for charity, Tyler sparks a bold, secret plan. He enlists his best friends to form the Secret Scavenger Squad, a covert operation to gather forgotten parts, discarded gadgets, and hidden treasures Mila needs. Can they help her build her dreams and shine at the fair, all without her ever knowing? This heartwarming story explores the true meaning of empathy, the power of friendship, and the vital importance of ensuring everyone has the dignity and opportunity to showcase their brilliance. Perfect for young readers who love adventure, clever problem-solving, and stories with a big heart.

About the Author

Eva Suluk is an interdisciplinary artist and storyteller whose work is deeply rooted in the land. Her work has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. An accomplished hunter, filmmaker, and traditional drum dancer, Eva weaves together the ancient and the modern in her art. She finds her greatest inspiration and stories while spending time on the land, where her hunting adventures and love for her culture guide her creative spirit.

Supporting Northern Arts and Storytelling in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Stories like The Secret Scavenger Squad were the result of much collaboration. The Arts Incubator Winnipeg Storytelling Club library celebrates the incredible creativity and talent of our local Manitoba community. This special interdisciplinary arts and capacity building program ran in the summer of 2025, supported by the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects program, The Arts Incubator Winnipeg Hub, Ottawa-based Global Dignity Canada, and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design Creative Entrepreneurship Program. We extend heartfelt thanks to the Local Services Board of Melgund and the many community members, artists, and creators who made this program possible.

About the Author

Arts Incubator Winnipeg

Administrator

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg is a participatory arts collective and living lab, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. It's a space where innovation and creativity thrive. It's latest iteration was launched in 2021 with funding and support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse. Today, working with students and faculty from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, we fuse traditional and participatory media arts with artificial intelligence, music, storytelling and community-driven, land-based artist residencies to cultivate new voices and bold ideas. Whether through collaborative projects or immersive experiences, our small but vibrant community supports creators to explore, experiment, and connect. Join us at the intersection of artistry, technology, culture and community—where every moment is a new opportunity to create.

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