Creation guides our life stories, and our imagination creates opportunities for inspiration.
You are the creator of your world, with wisdom that is held within each of us, at the centre of our hearts. We were created to create, with all of our relations.
- Sarah Prosper
(Indigenous Land-Based Education Coordinator with Howl)
Created to Create
A land-based retreat for young songwriters and filmmakers
February 13 - 17, 2026
Application Deadline: January 11, 2026
What Is It?
Created to Create: a land-based creative retreat is an immersive creative experience for students in Grades 10 to 12 with an interest in creative self-expression through music and/or film. The program takes place over 5 days (4 nights) at an Environmental and Arts Learning Centre called The Deanery Project on the Eastern Shore of Mi’kma’ki / Nova Scotia. You will be part of a cohort of sixteen Indigenous and non-Indigenous songwriters and filmmakers who will spend a long weekend learning from mentors, Elders and each other as you explore and hone your craft, form new friendships, and weave your creativity with cultural teachings and experiences on the land.
With an approach rooted in the Mi’kmaw concept of Etuaptmumk, this 5-day Exploration will provide you with the tools and mentorship you need to elevate your creative skills and return home with teachings about how to build communities of trust, reconciliation, and reciprocity.
Created to Create is designed around a core belief that artists and storytellers play one of the most important roles in a community. With this comes an understanding that the creative spark is sacred, and that young artists need dedicated spaces to strengthen the light they carry. That light is sacred and needed, now more than ever.
Who Is It For?
Created to Create will bring together a diverse group of aspiring songwriters and digital storytellers between the ages of 15 and 18. All genres and experience levels are welcome! Each participant will bring their own unique perspective and style. This creative retreat fosters a supportive and creative environment that encourages participants to push their boundaries, experiment with different genres, and collaborate across mediums and cultures to develop their own artistic voices.
How Does It Work?
Participants are invited to apply to one of two streams:
1) music and songwriting or
2) videography and digital storytelling.
Throughout the retreat, you will engage in creative workshops focused on your chosen craft (songwriting or digital storytelling). Workshops will be paired with teachings and experiences on the land at The Deanery. The retreat will include workshops focused on technical skill building in areas of sound recording, editing, and documentary making. These mediums of song and film will come together and integrate with each other throughout the retreat, culminating in one final “super collaboration”!
What Does “Land-Based” Mean?
Each day of Created to Create will include time outdoors where participants will learn about the histories and ecologies of the land they are gathered on. At least once a day, participants will be invited to put down their creative tools and open themselves up to the teachings of the land and the water. This approach is rooted in the Mi’kmaw concept of "Etuaptmumk / Two-Eyed Seeing", a phrase coined by Elder Albert Marshall, which describes the gift of multiple perspectives, encouraging the co-learning journey of different cultural knowledges working together.
What Does the Program Include?
5 days to explore, learn and create in a community environment
Fully catered meals and snacks prepared with love and care;
Communal accommodations at The Deanery.
Small-group workshops specializing in songwriting, filmmaking;
Mentorship and coaching from a creative team of working artists and educators;
Oceanfront beach and hiking trails at your doorstep;
Access to a professional sound studio where you will bring new ideas to life!
What Will You Do?
Get outside to connect with L’nu language, culture and worldview, engaging with Etuapt’munk / Two-Eyed Seeing approach to climate action and learning
Take part in songwriting workshops and documentary film workshops, and practice connecting with your authentic voice
Co-write and co-create with other youth, combining your artistic instincts to make new works
Go from “voice memo to demo” and record a demo of your original music in a sound studio
Form relationships with other youth participants, local Elders, Knowledge holders, artists, and community leaders
Give back to The Deanery Project through service, learning about permaculture and sustainability, leaving the land, space and community better than you found.
Where Will You Be Staying?
The Deanery Project is located on a beautiful 25-acre oceanfront property just 65 km east of Halifax, in Lower Ship Harbour on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. The facilities include a spacious community hall; dorm-style accommodations; a community sound studio, outdoor classrooms, and diverse hiking trails. The property extends to the shoreline of Ship Harbour, providing water access to the protected wilderness areas of Ship Harbour Long Lake, Tangier Grand, and the 100 Wild Islands.
What’s the Cost?
Created to Create is priced at a sliding scale for participants between the ages of 15 and 18, based on self-declared financial need and access to resources. Schools and communities are also invited to sponsor participants at a set fee.
Applicants may access the option that best suits their needs.
$0 | There are a limited number of fully funded spots on this program reserved for Indigenous youth based in Nova Scotia who require financial assistance in order to participate.
$200-$700 | Applicants will be guided through a sliding scale fee selection process to determine a fee within the above range that feels right and equitable to them.
$800-$900 | Charities, non-profits and community groups sponsoring a participant.
$1,000 | Schools, organizations and individuals receiving financial support.
Please note that even if cost is a barrier, we strongly encourage you to apply. Howl is actively pursuing funding that could offer additional subsidies to participants for this program.
Applicants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from The Deanery Project. Howl is pleased to offer additional support to participants who may require travel assistance between Halifax (bus terminal or airport) and The Deanery Project.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to/from The Deanery Project.
Address: 751 W Ship Harbour Rd, Lake Charlotte, NS
If you require travel support between Halifax (bus terminal or airport) and The Deanery Project, please reach out to george@experiencehowl.com
Application and Timeline
Application Deadline: January 11, 2026
Successful Applicants Notified: January 16, 2026
Virtual Orientation: January 29, 2026
Arrival Day: February 13, 2026 (Drop off between 3:00 and 4:00 pm at The Deanery Project)
Departure Day: February 17, 2026 (Pick up between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm at The Deanery Project)
Meet the Team
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Howl program designer by day, singer-songwriter by night, George (he/him) is happiest when his worlds are colliding in the form of sing-alongs in the woods. He has toured with his band The Public Service across Eastern Canada. When he’s not making music or being a dad, George is brewing up learning journeys for youth with The Howl Experience. He approaches his work, music and relationships with the belief that, when we allow ourselves to create with our truth, we inspire, we heal, and we connect. George lives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
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Raymond Sewell is an l’nu poet, singer-songwriter, and English professor from Pabineau, First Nation, New-Brunswick. Since a young age Raymond has been writing and producing creative works. Raymond currently lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia and is inspired by the ocean. Writing has become a calling – a way of life for this burgeoning artist. Raymond constantly promotes Indigenous excellence and intellectualism providing many public performances and lectures.
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Elsa (She/Her) is an Anishinaabe singer-songwriter living in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). A proud member of Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Elsa grew up off reserve in Southern Ontario where she swam in the waters of Georgian Bay and lived on the lands of the Anishinaabek Nation. She is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and has released four albums. Elsa has worked in schools to share her love of music, fancy shawl dancing, and Anishinaabe teachings. She holds tight to the teaching of Mino-Bimaadiziwin which means “A Good Life” in Anishinaabemowin. Living a good life to Elsa means centering the simplest and truest things, such as parenting her two daughters, connecting to nature, and living with integrity and authenticity.
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After teaching high school for nearly 20 years, Scott Legge has stepped out of the classroom to work with Brilliant Labs, connecting students across Atlantic Canada with opportunities to develop their artistic voice through immersive music, film and photography programs. His passion for teaching youth the craft of photography and videography is inspiring the next generation of content creators and has earned him the 2025 ECMA nomination for content creator of the year.
Are you Created to Create?
Our Partners
Howl recognizes the support of our funding partners, whose financial support is making this program possible for young songwriters and filmmakers.
The Howl Experience recognizes the support of the Province of Nova Scotia and the Support4Culture Program, a designated lottery program of the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Government of Nova Scotia to develop and promote our cultural resources for all Nova Scotians.