In the exploratory phase (2008-09), the creative team traveled the boreal forest, encountered nature and learned from the people who live in boreal forest communities.

Immediately following this Katherine Bitney, Prairie Fire Press's first writer-in-residence, began work on a special issue of Prairie Fire, to be released in 2012, featuring a long poem/libretto written by Bitney, along with work on the boreal theme by writers and artists from across Manitoba and Canada.

Winnipeg composer Sid Robinovitch then uses Ms. Bitney's poem as a libretto in order to create a 25-minute work for chamber orchestra and 24-person choir. Ken Gregory will produce a soundscape for the piece, using recorded sound from the boreal forest.

The resulting work will be performed April 11, 2011 in the schools of Hollow Water (also known as Wanipigo) and Falcon Beach, two remote communities on the east shore of Lake Winnipeg.

The performance will feature fiddle students from the two communities in a full orchestral performance. A Winnipeg performance will follow on April 13, 2011 at the Westminster Church (745 Westminster Avenue).