Once the Smudge is Lit Interview w/ Cole Forrest

Once the Smudge is Lit is a poetry collection featuring the work of Nipissing First Nation poets Kelsey Borgford (Nbisiing Nishnaabekwe) and Cole Forrest (Ojibwe), with illustrations and artwork done by Tessa Pizzale (Moose Cree). The collection is a welcome addition to the ever-expanding world of Indigenous literature, a creative community that is starting to see more recognition within mainstream media. The collection features work that goes through “deeply spiritual elements of Nishnaabe culture,” covering the harsh realities faced by many Indigenous communities, but doesn’t leave out the uplifting narratives. Speaking more about Once the Smudge is Lit is one of the contributing artists themselves, Cole Forrest.

Cole Forrest; courtesy

Forrest is an established filmmaker with Once the Smudge is Lit being their debut as a poet in a published work. They remember writing in their youth about themes such as “escaping”, reflecting on how their modern work continues to cover their personal experiences and struggles. Friends and family helped guide them with encouragement, though a particular memomry they hold dear is when they received the “James Bartleman Indigenous Youth Creatives Writer Award” Bartleman having often advocated for Indigenous literature, a task Forrest has now taken on as well.

Borgford, the other contributing poet, is “an emerging author, passionate about utilizing writing as a tool to revitalize cultural connections.” In the past, Borgford has collaborated on projects with the collection’s artist, Tessa Pizzale. Pizzale is described in their bio as “a Moose Cree Indigenous Artist…currenlty working on her Bachelors of Fine Arts at Nipissing University. Tessa creates both digital and physical artworks. She also creates leather regalia belts.”

Forrest and Borgford have known one another since high-school and used to organize poetry readings and youth art collectives for their community. They continued to keep in contact with eachother, exchanging ideas and formulating projects they could collaborate on. In December of 2022, the team met together and ironed out their vision for the book, taking the next year to develop pieces for it and putting together the creation we have today.

While deadlines and quotas proved to have their challenges, Forrest found working with their fellow artists to be a highlight of the experience.

“It was amazing, just because Kelsey and I have a lot history together and this was something we really wanted to do. There’s a lot of beautiful balance between Kelsey’s and my poetry and so that kind of flowed naturally and grew organically.”

Once the Smudge is Lit seeks to portray the experience and perspective of Indigenous artists from this generation, their views on the reclamation of culture, and especially the complexities of their inter-generational relationships. Forrest is particularly excited to contribute their own work to the growing collection of Indigenous literature being published today, holding the art form in high regard.

Borgford Poem; courtesy

“Something I emphasize within all Indigenous artists is that all of our experiences, whether we come from the same community or not, they’re all unique…As Indigenous writers, the capacity, ability, and courage to have the undertaking to publish a novel or poetry collection is big. To share our experiences in such a raw format is not something to be taken lightly. To have something that’s available worldwide or even just in North America takes a lot of courage.”

Once the Smude is Lit is published by Kegedonece Press, which was founded by Anishinaabe writer Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, and that has strived to publish Indigneous-made books on an international scale. Forrest emphasized their enthusiasm for working with this publishing house and how every step of the project has had Native influence involved.

To see Indigenous poets with deeply emotional work that speaks to those both within and beyond their communities have the chance to publish their collection is a victory for native artists across Turtle Island. Forrest, Borgford, and Pizzale’s work stands ready to take readers through a journey into Nishnaabe culture and the uniquely human experiences only they can convey. You can purchase Once the Smudge is Lit from most retail booksellers or order directly from Kegedonece Press’s website here.

You can learn more about Kelsey Borgford on Instagram @kelsey_borgford and Tessa Pizzale @tessa.pizzale