Northern Stories for Values and the Sustainable Development Goals
What happens when the heart of your community is threatened? For fifteen-year-old Jenny, the Northern Star Youth Centre in Winnipeg is more than just a building—it’s a vibrant haven alive with creativity and friendship. Published by the Arts Incubator Winnipeg, The Centre’s Bright Future plunges into her world when looming funding cuts threaten to shut its doors forever, impacting a vital safe space for local teens.
Facing the seemingly impossible task of raising a lot of money in just four weeks, Jenny is unexpectedly thrust into a crucial youth leadership role. She must learn to unite her diverse, often conflicted, group of friends and peers, navigating tricky personalities and unexpected obstacles along the way. Can this young leader rally her community, mend fractured relationships, and reignite the spirit of the Northern Star before it’s too late? This high-stakes community fundraiser isn’t just about saving a building; it’s about preserving a cherished safe space and proving that a community, upholding its traditional values of togetherness and resilience, can overcome any challenge.
Perfect for home and classroom reading, The Centre’s Bright Future includes a thoughtful discussion guide to spark conversation about its important themes of community building, youth leadership development, and resilience. This inspiring story also connects its powerful message to global citizenship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), making it a valuable tool for fostering empathy and educating young readers on the SDGs and their real-world impact.
About Jamie Bell, Winnipeg Author and Interdisciplinary Artist
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.
ISBN: 978-1-0698405-4-7
Support our Program and Order Your Books and Short Stories Today
Short stories, books and publications are available in bookstores and books outlets across Canada, North America and globally at: Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Fable, Librarie E.Leclerc, Rakuten Kobo, Smashwords, Vivlio
Stories and Values for Sustainability: New Indigenous Books Available Online and In Bookstores!
Your decision to read this book directly supports Indigenous publishing and strengthens the creative ecosystem for Indigenous storytelling and community literacy in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. This groundbreaking project was executed during the summer and fall of 2025, made possible through essential financial and structural support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects grant, the Winnipeg-based Arts Incubator Winnipeg Hub, and the transformative Minneapolis College of Art and Design Creative Entrepreneurship Program.
