Dumbstruck By the Beauty

And richness and humanity

Boozhoo, indinawemaaganidog! Aaniin! That is to say hello, all of my relatives! Welcome to another edition of An Irritable Métis. This is pretty much a news only post that I should have gotten out a couple weeks ago. Frankly, at this point in the process I’m getting a little weary of talking about myself and worry that it’s too much for some of you too. I trust you to understand. There is also some good news coming down the trail in the coming year I’ll be sharing so there really isn’t an end in sight. As always, I am eternally grateful for your time and your attention. I wouldn’t have all of this to talk about without your support and I don’t take it for granted.

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Photograph of a sign board along the Trail of the Cedars that leads to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. The entire loop had haikus related to the surrounding flora and fauna at intervals and I thought they were just lovely. I was hoping for a book collecting them but, alas, the visitors center at Apgar was closed for the season. UPDATE: A commenter provided the link to the artist who did this work, Ray Radigan!

Attention of Readable Nature

I’m way behind in sharing news and other things that good people devoted a lot of time to in order to share the story of my work. I’d be a jerk if I didn’t draw attention to it. So here’s a list¹, and apologies for anyone who has done anything in the last couple months that I haven’t mentioned….

• I’m going to be teaching a class at the University of Montana this coming spring semester as the 2025 Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer in Environmental Studies. You can read all about it HERE.

• My bestie Chandra Brown, besides directing the Freeflow Institute, is also a wonderful writer. She wrote a beautiful profile of me for The Pulp, a local online news thing founded by the folks who were largely behind the magnificent Missoula Independent at the time of its unfortunate corporate murder. Anyway, it’s called, “Chris La Tray goes all in.” You may check it out HERE.

• Another wonderful writer and friend, David Abrams, wrote a lovely review of Becoming Little Shell on his newsletter titled, “Becoming Little Shell: Chris La Tray Finds His Tribe.” You may check that out HERE and while you’re there, subscribe!

• I really love the crew at the Montana Arts Council. To a person they’ve been so supportive and kind to me I can hardly believe it. Which is to tell you that the mighty Eric Heidle wrote a very kind and generous review of BLS in the Fall 2024 issue of their State of the Arts newspaper. That entire paper may be read HERE, with the review appearing on page 14.

• I don’t know Carol Green but apparently she attended the in-school event I did at Valier School a few weeks ago and then wrote about it in the local paper. I love it. You may check that out HERE.

• Finally, new friend Michelle Sharpe published a long BLS review via On the Seawall. You may check that out HERE.

Attention of Listenable Nature

I’ve been on three different podcasts in the last few weeks! I always enjoy doing these. Give them a listen, if you’re into that kind of thing….

• Manitoba Métis and Little Shell citizen Conner Keneu started a new podcast to discuss the history of our people called, Of All My Relatives. When I was in Portland for the Portland Book Festival we squared off over a table at a coffee shop and had a spirited conversation. This is one I think you’ll like and, if you have have interest in learning more, please subscribe and share the work he is doing. You may check out our conversation HERE.

• Subscribe and listen to the Wee Sparrow Poetry Press Podcast! You can get a taste of it listening to my conversation with host, producer, and poet Clair Thom, HERE!

• I’ve known Lauren Korn, the host of The Write Question on Montana Public Radio, for close to a decade now. We got together way back in August before BLS was released and had a long conversation. It recently aired on the radio but is also available via podcast. It is contained in two parts; dig Part One HERE and Part Two HERE. Lauren really does great work and it was a pleasure to spend all that time with her.

Now is Where I Ask You to Open Your Wallet

We’re right on the edge of probably being too late to make it in time for that looming holiday, but isn’t treating yourself and others something that shouldn’t be fenced in on special days only? In celebration of that, here are some books; all the links are to the Fact & Fiction website where you can get signed editions of them – just ask for them! But you can get them elsewhere too if that’s more your speed.

First, my books:

• One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems & Essays From the World at Large (Riverfeet Press, 2018). My first book, the one that started it all. Order it HERE.

• Descended From a Travel-Worn Satchel: Haiku & Haibun (Foot Hills Publishing, 2021). My second book, one that doesn’t get as much attention because I kind of wanted to keep it that way. It’s a quiet book for quiet people, I think. Order it HERE.

• Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian's Journey Home (Milkweed Editions, 2024). My latest, the one I’m still promoting into the ground! Order it HERE.

Anthologies:

Friends, I also have work in three anthologies that came out this year. What a year! These are all beautiful, wonderful books. I hope you consider securing a few copies for yourself, your friends, and your family.

• Stories from the Trail: Field Notes on Moving through the Wild (Wayfarer Books, 2024), edited by Heidi Barr and Connor Wolfe. This one came out the same day as BLS, on August 20th! I have a short essay included called, “Original Instructions.” Order it HERE.

• Water Bodies: Love Letters to the Most Abundant Substance on Earth (Torrey House Press, 2024), edited by Laura Paskus. I love this collection and I love the cover art by one of my absolute favorite artists (and writers), Sarah Gilman. I have an essay I wrote about a very special Freeflow trip on the Blackfoot River a couple years ago called, “What Emerges on the Other Side.” This is a collection I haven’t talked about enough because it came out while I was on tour. Please give it special attention HERE.

• This Place the Gods Touched Earth (Montana Historical Society Press, 2024). This one is something special. It is anthology about, and featuring, all of the Montana poets laureate to date, of which I am the 11th. I was grateful to write not just the introduction but also have three poems in it. This little hardcover is a gorgeous book. They did a wonderful job. See for yourself when you order it HERE.

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And Then a Few Others

Here are a few other great books from Native writers that came out this year that I admire who are certainly worth your attention.

• 1666: A Novel by Lora Chilton. Chilton is a citizen of the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia, and this book is their story as delivered via historical fiction. It is an important work as the Patawomeck are one of those tribes who could easily be forgotten if not for the tireless efforts of their descendents … people like Chilton. This harrowing tale is proof that MMIW has been a thing since Europeans first set foot on this continent, and we forget at our peril. Get a copy HERE.

• Notes of an Indigenous Futurist by Cliff Taylor. I don’t know Taylor (Ponca Tribe of Nebraska) personally but man, I love the guy. He’s got so much heart and good humor and it really shines in this collection of autobiographical largely prose poems. I think it’s maybe his third book and I’ll be seeking the others soon! Get yours HERE.

• Thunder Song: Essays by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe. Sasha (Nooksack and Upper Skagit) probably doesn’t need much introduction, as she’s certainly one of the rising stars of whatever we want to call this current edition of the Native “renaissance” of writers. This is her third book and it’s mighty.² I was fortunate to be on a panel with her at the Portland Book Festival and it was great. I love her work. Get your copy HERE.

• Blood Quantum & Other Hate Crimes by Marsheila Rockwell. This chapbook is outstanding. Marcie is my relative by way of the Lewistown Métis connection, and she asked me to blurb the book. This is what I said, and I stand by it: “In BLOOD QUANTUM, Métis poet Marsheila Rockwell has delivered nothing less than a howl of defiance against erasure. Erasure of culture and of language. Erasure of experience and personhood. Erasure of an entire people’s identity and what that means for subsequent generations struggling to return to a place they’ve never been. As a Métis person myself, I’m reminded of Louis Riel’s prediction that after a century it is the artists who will return our spirit to us. With this mighty chapbook, Marsheila Rockwell is indication that Riel was correct.” Get a copy HERE.

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That’s all for now, friends. I hope everyone is hanging in there, and I appreciate you indulging me here with this post. I really can’t ask more of you, and yet I do! Chi-miigwech!

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1. Friends, there are a lot of links in this post. If none are broken, even after proofreading, it will be a miracle. Please let me know if you encounter any and, for those of you who read in the email, remember only the online and app version will get the repairs, just so you know….

2. Her book of poetry, Rose Quartz, from Milkweed, is astonishing.