The Sakoose Compass

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

What happens when your entire world fits in your pocket, and then the signal dies? For gaming-obsessed Myles, a summer with his grandfather in the remote Northwestern Ontario wilderness is a digital wasteland of pine sap and flickering Wi-Fi. He longs for his screen, scoffing at his grandpa’s cryptic talk of ‘real treasure’ beyond gold and an ancient, crinkly map of the old and long-closed Sakoose Mine site.

But when his phone goes dark, leaving him utterly disconnected, the forest transforms from a boring backdrop into a menacing labyrinth. Tempted by a faded line on the map – an ‘Old Trail – Abandoned’ – Myles plunges into the dense woods, seeking a secret shortcut and an adventure of his own. Instead, he finds himself truly lost, facing the unforgiving embrace of nature. With only an archaic compass and his wits, Myles must navigate treacherous terrain and confront his deepest fears.

The Sakoose Compass is a gripping survival story that challenges a screen-addicted generation to discover the profound dignity of the natural world and the untapped courage within themselves. Can a boy who only knows virtual worlds find his true strength beyond the screen?

ISBN: 9798232535025

About The Author

Jamie Bell is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and a passionate believer in the power of shared stories. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, his work explores community and connection through creative projects and participatory research. When he’s not behind a pen or a camera, you can find him in the garden, a space where he finds inspiration in the quiet dignity of growth.

Supporting Storytelling and the Arts in Northwestern Ontario

The Art Borups Corners Storytelling Club library celebrates the incredible creativity and talent of our local Northern Ontario 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

Art Borups Corners

Administrator

Art Borup’s Corners is a northern arts incubator based in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario, where community-led creativity, land-based practice, and digital innovation come together. Rooted in the cultural rhythms of the boreal forest and shaped by years of grassroots organizing across Ontario, Manitoba, Nunavut, and Minnesota, Borup’s Corners supports artists, youth, and community members through participatory storytelling, climate-focused projects, and creative entrepreneurship. From wild blueberry walks to immersive AI-powered exhibitions, our seasonal programs and artist residencies foster connection, skill-building, and self-determined expression—all grounded in place, culture, and care.

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