BRAIDED RIVER ~ Wild Song Retreat
With Carly Joynt, Mila Redwood & Kate Sutherland
WEAVING OUR VOICES IN SONG
Inspired by the natural world, dream time, and our personal creative channels
Over the course of a weekend in November, we will flow between self-reflection, personal expression, and community connection spending time on the land and in circle, and sharing in the deep and playful harvests of wild poetry and song.
This gathering might be a resounding YES! for you if you:
~ Love to sing, or long to bring singing into your life in a meaningful and more regular way,
~ Are curious about exploring intuitive poetry and/or song writing
~ Want to hone your deep listening skills
~ Love and/or long to be witnessed in your creative expression in a safe container
~ Enjoy spending time in community and sharing in delicious meals
~Are looking for a spacious weekend for self-care and intentional creative work at a relaxed pace
LOGISTICS
WHEN: November 28 - 30 2025
WHERE: Black River Retreat Centre, Madoc, ON
ACCOMMODATIONS: Shared bedrooms (2-3 beds per room)
Arrival: Any time after 4pm on Friday
Departure: 2 or 3pm on Sunday
GENERAL FLOW (Subject to Flexibility):
FRIDAY:
4-6pm arrival
6:30 dinner
8pm Opening Circle & Intro
SATURDAY:
7-7:45am Optional pre-breakfast body movement, or free time to walk outside
8-9am Breakfast
9:30am-12pm Morning Sit & Workshop Block
12:30-2pm Lunch
2-4pm Afternoon Workshop Block
4-5pm Personal Time
5-6pm Preparations for Evening Event
6:00-7:30pm Dinner
8pm Special Evening Event
SUNDAY:
8-9:00am Breakfast
9:30-12pm Morning Workshop Block & Closing Circle
12-12:30 Pack up personal belongings
12:30-2pm Lunch & Clean up
2pm Departure
Exchange
Cost: $475 - $575 sliding scale
Not sure where you fit on the scale? Click here to read a discerning article. Also please make sure you've read our Cancellation/Refund Policy
Includes:
~ Time in nature, time for journaling and wandering
~ The joy and connection of singing in community
~ Supportive guidance in accessing your inner wilderness and intuitive creativity
~ Tips and practices for listening for and harvesting song
~ The opportunity to share your voice and creations in a safe caring space
~ Delicious home-cooked dinners prepared with local and organic ingredients and made with love
~ Accommodations, abundant coffee, tea and treats
Payment & Refund Policy
To secure your spot, please send your $100 deposit or full payment by e-transfer to katesutherlandmusic@gmail.com.
Make sure you read our Refund/Cancellation Policy page. There you'll also find payment schedule options.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out :)
Meet Your Facilitators
Carly Joynt
Wilder connections
Carly was raised in a home where the love language sounded like Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd, Ella Fitzgerald and Blue Rodeo. Somewhere between the church choir and bar bands she sang with, Carly got swept up by the renaissance of nature-inspired community singing and found a musical home. As an eco-therapist and wilderness guide Carly supports people to be in conversation with the more than human world which, according to her, doesn’t just speak- it sings! Carly brings a soulful invitation to the song circles she facilitates and welcomes people’s full selves into the room~ mess, beauty and all.
Mila Redwood
Singing Mamas & Sing For Joy
Mila is a Community Songleader, Mother, and the Founder of Sing for Joy in Toronto. She uses song as a tool for building community, for restoring our sense of belonging and connection in the world. Mila is passionate about gathering people to sing together in the oral tradition, in the simple yet powerful ways that our ancestors have done for time immemorial. She is grateful to live on the shore of ‘the river that beats like a heart’, in Nogojiwanong-Peterborough.
Kate Sutherland
Kate is a prolific songwriter, creative homesteader and multi-disciplinary martial artist. Her work is inspired by the sacred elements, the principals of yin & yang, and love for all life. Learn more about Kate's journey here.