The Community’s New Stories

Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba Short Stories

What happens when a community’s most cherished memories are washed away? Published by the Arts Incubator Winnipeg and Art Borups Corners Storytelling Club, The Community’s New Stories introduces Johnny, whose quiet life is shattered when a flood devastates his small town’s community centre.

When a flood engulfs their beloved community hall, it’s not just bricks and mortar that are lost; it’s the very heart of their shared history – the treasured library of local tales, family genealogies, and Elder wisdom. As Johnny and two other resourceful teenagers survey the waterlogged devastation, they realise rebuilding isn’t just about restoring walls. They must find innovative ways, using new skills and technology, to recover their collective identity and forge even stronger connections within their community.

Perfect for both home and classroom reading, The Community’s New Stories includes a thoughtful discussion guide to encourage conversation about its important themes of resilience and collaboration. This inspiring tale also connects its message to global citizenship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, making it a valuable tool for nurturing understanding and collective action.

Special thanks go to the Ontario Arts Council’s Multi and Inter-Arts Projects program for supporting our storytelling, oral history, and capacity-building activities during this summer’s program. This support helped continue exploring creativity, connection, and community through the art of storytelling.

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.

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 exhibitions and applied AI research, 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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