Canada Arts Council grant to produce a podcast on the narrative of coming home and is working with Indigenous artists across all genres to explore lived experiences and how they are expressed . He is currently working on a memoir , and engaging audiences through speaking appointments , workshops and talks covering a wide range of topics including child welfare , intergenerational impacts of residential schools , 2SLGBTQ inclusion , resilience and healing , indigenous literature , creative writing and much more . Many of his videos can be found on his website .
you are enough : love poems for the end of the world won the Indigenous Voices Award in 2019 and Sumac was nominated for the 2020 Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers from the Writers ’ Trust of Canada . Smokii Sumac lives in Wardner with his partner , chickens , cats , and ‘ big ‘ ole rez dog ’ Kootenay Lou .
“ Smokii Sumac presents with heart and power , sharing his own experience in a way that is relatable and moving to a wide range of people . As a poet , he has a captivating way of telling stories that represent his reality , which offers a unique and insightful perspective .” the stars they told me keep doing what you ’ re doing boundary-making shedding old skin cells let go of what holds you down and look out for love that kind of bright spark bursting upwards new flame as the fire takes a breath that full moon told me to ask for healing cleaning cedar bath at sunrise getting to know self in the quiet moments here look out to the yard this place you ’ ve built home and know you ’ ll go west soon too know who you are here the mountains told me carry knowing in your body dream this knowing home
from you are enough : love poems for the end of the world
( Kegedonce Press , 2018 )
~ Duncan Whittick - Executive Director at CBEEN
Smokiisumac . com