The Secret Scavenger Squad

Storytelling and Short Stories from Art Borups Corners, Global Dignity Canada and The Arts Incubator Winnipeg Storytelling Club

Published by Art Borups Corners and The Arts Incubator Winnipeg Hub, The Secret Scavenger Squad by Eva Suluk 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 Northwestern Ontario

Stories like The Secret Scavenger Squad were the result of much collaboration. 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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