Montana's Poet Laureate, Chris La Tray
The Montana Arts Council is pleased to announce that Governor Greg Gianforte has named Chris La Tray of Frenchtown as Montana’s Poet Laureate for 2023-2024.
The author of two collections of poetry, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large and Descended From a Travel-worn Satchel: Haiku & Haibun, Chris La Tray has established himself as a prominent voice among Montana’s poets. His debut collection, One-Sentence Journal, received multiple honors upon its release, including the 2018 Montana Book Award, the 2019 High Plains Book Award (Best First Book), and finalist for the 2019 High Plains Book Award (Best Book by Indigenous Writer). His third book, Becoming Little Shell, will be published in 2024 by Milkweed Editions.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity,” Chris commented after learning of his appointment. “I never considered myself a poet till other people started calling me one.” Speaking of his plans for the role, Chris noted his interest in getting to places that might be overlooked as venues for poetry. “I look forward to taking it on the road, out to all the tribal colleges. I just got a call from Wibaux. I’m stoked—Wibaux is practically North Dakota!” Chris also plans to continue working with Montana’s Office of Public Instruction and Humanities Montana as part of its Indian Education for All Initiative, educating Montanans about its history through the perspectives of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa and Métis cultures.
Raised in Frenchtown, Chris La Tray is a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and his facility with words is not unique in his family; Chris’ Métis great-great-grandfather Mose served as an interpreter for the US Army, speaking at least six languages, and Chris is today an advocate for reviving Indigenous languages spoken in Montana. Prior to publication of his first book Chris was a contributing writer to the Missoula Independent and had published a fiction and nonfiction works in a number of publications. He maintains an online journal, An Irritable Métis, where, as in his poetry, he grapples with issues of cultural identity, the natural world, and where this place called Montana is going.
Chris assumes the mantle of Poet Laureate from a fellow Missoula valley writer, Mark Gibbons, whose tenure has included conducting a series of video interviews with fellow Montana poets and regular contributions to the Montana Arts Council’s publication State of the Arts. Chris will be the eleventh Montana Poet Laureate as he begins his two-year term.
Read Chris' first column as Montana's Poet Laureate in State of the Arts.
Tintype portrait of Chris La Tray by Chris Chapman of Northland Studio, Missoula
This Place the Gods Touched Earth
Montana's Poet Laureate Anthology
Every two years since 2005, Montana has bestowed a special title on one of its many talented writers: Montana Poet Laureate. The post was created to honor exemplary poets from the Big Sky who write, read, and teach this most ancient of artforms— the written and spoken word. There’s no better way to celebrate these distinguished talents than by sharing their work.
The Montana Arts Council has published the first anthology collecting work from each of Montana’s poets laureate, past and present. Selected by the authors themselves, the poems presented in This Place the Gods Touched Earth represent a vibrant chorus of voices singing the praises and pitfalls of life in this place we call Montana. Produced in partnership with the Montana Historical Society Press, This Place the Gods Touched Earth celebrates the writing and reading of poetry, but also the work of poetry—travel to all corners of the state, teaching this craft to new poets, advocating for literacy and support of this most vital art.
Publishing in November 2024, This Place the Gods Touched Earth features an introductory essay by current Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray, and includes biographies, short essays, and the selected works of our poets laureate to date. You can find it at independent bookstores or by ordering online from Farcountry Press or the Montana Historical Society Press.
A launch event is planned for Wednesday, November 20th at 6pm at the Myrna Loy in Helena. Please join us in celebrating these treasured poets and their words which evoke, capture, lament, and embrace this place the gods touched earth.
Poets In Montana
Former Poet Laureate Mark Gibbons took the 2020 pandemic in stride, using his platform to create an incredible resource. Called "Poets In Montana," Mark recorded a series of conversations with more than 60 esteemed Montana poets. The series was produced in collaboration with MCAT Community Media.
Poet Laureate FAQ
Who is the Poet Laureate and what does the Poet Laureate do?
The position of Poet Laureate is an honorific one. Advancing and supporting the poetic arts involves reaching out to and beyond the art and literary communities in Montana to promote the appreciation of poetry as an ancient and ongoing form of expression.
Humanities Montana will invite the Poet Laureate to join its Speaker's Bureau program.
Who is eligible to be nominated Poet Laureate of Montana?
Anyone of the state of Montana may nominate a poet for the Poet Laureate position. Nominations for Montana's Poet Laureate will be considered for poets who meet the following eligibility requirements:
The poet must currently reside in Montana and have been a resident for at least one year. Montana Arts Council members, staff, or their immediate family or household are not eligible.
What is the Poet Laureate's term of service?
The term of service for Poet Laureate is two years. The award is honorific. A poet who has served as Poet Laureate may not be re-nominated.
What is the selection process for the Poet Laureate?
A panel drawn from members of the literary community select finalists from among the nominations. The finalists are submitted to the Montana Arts Council board for review and approval. The Poet Laureate of Montana is then chosen by the Governor from among these nominees during the summer.
How will Poet Laureate nominations be evaluated?
The Poet Laureate is chosen on the basis of three criteria:
- Artistic excellence and achievement
- Ongoing contributions to the cultural community
- Worthiness of statewide recognition
