Chris

La Tray

Métis storyteller

Award-Winning Poet and Author

Travels from: Missoula, MT

“I’m in awe of Chris La Tray’s storytelling. Becoming Little Shell creates a multilayered narrative from threads of personal, family, community, tribal, and national histories.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

Chris La Tray is a Métis storyteller, a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His third book, Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home, was published by Milkweed Editions on August 20, 2024. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. His book of haiku and haibun poetry, Descended from a Travel-worn Satchel, was published in 2021 by Foothills Publishing. Chris was the 2025 William Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Montana and writes the weekly newsletter “An Irritable Métis.” He is the Montana Poet Laureate for 2023–2025 and lives near Frenchtown, Montana.

La Tray’s most recent book, Becoming Little Shell – a memoir combining the story of the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe, the most recent tribe to receive federal restoration from the United States Government, the history of the Métis people, and La Tray’s own search to find a place with them – tells, in the words of Robin Wall Kimmerer, (Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants), “a story as strong and beautiful as a Métis sash, a story of identity, kinship and the journey toward justice.” David Treuer (The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present) says, “This book will, without a doubt, become a classic in Native American literature.” Finally, Pulitzer finalist Sierra Crane Murdoch (Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country) says Becoming Little Shell is “a beautiful, big-hearted book.” Among many other glowing mentions (including an Indie Next selection by national independent booksellers), the book received a Starred Review at Kirkus and was pick-of-the-month in two categories (Memoir/Biography and History) at Amazon. Since its release, Becoming Little Shell has won a 2025 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award and is shortlisted for a 2025 Reading the West Award. Finally, Chris was honored with the 2025 Montana Heritage Keeper award for his “tireless work to share the story of the Little Shell.”

La Tray is a popular and engaging speaker who mixes Anishinaabe-based Indigenous worldview into everything he talks about. He has addressed audiences as a keynote speaker at multiple conferences; as a storyteller creekside, around campfires, and in libraries; and as a teacher and leader of workshops for people of all ages, 4th grade through university graduate programs and beyond. These workshops happen in schools, in libraries, and even as part of remote, off grid river trips and in cabins at private and public lands, wilderness areas and national parks.

Besides poetry and storytelling, La Tray is deeply engaged in efforts focused on Indigenous education and language revitalization. He is also involved with multiple organizations working to “re-Indigenize” Yellowstone National Park, an effort that makes him an often-sought and fluent speaker on what such efforts mean, both in the park and beyond. Finally, he has become the unofficial spokesman for the Little Shell, a tribe whose story and history provides a microcosm of discussing essentially every aspect of the historical interaction between the United States and the Native people of Turtle Island.

Chris's Featured Titles

Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home

Milkweed Editions |

August 20, 2024

Native American History

A Millions Most Anticipated Book of 2024

“I’m in awe of Chris La Tray’s storytelling. Becoming Little Shell creates a multilayered narrative from threads of personal, family, community, tribal, and national histories.”—Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

Growing up in Montana, Chris La Tray always identified as Indian. Despite the fact that his father fiercely denied any connection, he found Indigenous people alluring, often recalling his grandmother’s consistent mention of their Chippewa heritage.

When La Tray attended his grandfather’s funeral as a young man, he finally found himself surrounded by relatives who obviously were Indigenous. “Who were they?” he wondered, and “Why was I never allowed to know them?” Combining diligent research and compelling conversations with authors, activists, elders, and historians, La Tray embarks on a journey into his family’s past, discovering along the way a larger story of the complicated history of Indigenous communities—as well as the devastating effects of colonialism that continue to ripple through surviving generations. And as he comes to embrace his full identity, he eventually seeks enrollment with the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians, joining their 158-year-long struggle for federal recognition.

Both personal and historical, Becoming Little Shell is a testament to the power of storytelling, to family and legacy, and to finding home. Infused with candor, heart, wisdom, and an abiding love for a place and a people, Chris La Tray’s remarkable journey is both revelatory and redemptive.

BIPOC Representation, Memoir & Personal Journeys, Native American & Indigenous Heritage

One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large

Riverfeet Press |

August 14, 2018

Short Stories

FROM THE 2023 MONTANA POET LAUREATE…

Winner of the 2018 Montana Book Award

and the 2019 High Plains Book Award

“La Tray is a perimeter man, seeing the reality in wildness yet dealing the best he can at reconciling truth in nature.” – Barry Babcock author of Teachers in the Forest

This book is a collection of poems and essays from the writer’s experiences of travelling through landscapes both wild and civilized. They speak with delicate simplicities ranging from the death of a favorite pickup truck, to the joy of hitting the trail with a four-legged companion. There are also profound observations that range from realizing he has become an aging hippie in a Carhartt vest, to the exhilaration of following the tracks of a grizzly in fresh snow.

“(This) book truly represents excellence in Montana literature and is an important contribution to the genre. The committee of readers was unanimous in our selection.” — Elizabeth Jonkel, Chair of the Montana Book Award Committee

“This book is proof of the power of language, even at its most spare.” — Russell Rowland, author of Fifty-Six Counties

“With a humble and grave generosity to all things and people who cross his path, La Tray reminds us all to slow down and take stock of our surroundings. Attention is the true work of a writer and poet, a tribe La Tray can proudly call himself to be.” — Charles Finn, editor of High Desert Journal

“This is a sunrise book, a book of revelations, of creekwalks and roadfood and ordinary sadnesses, ordinary joys—which are, in the end, the only kind.” — Joe Wilkins, author of Fall Back Down When I Die

BIPOC Representation, Memoir & Personal Journeys, Native American & Indigenous Heritage, Natural World, Poetry, Short Stories, Travel Narratives

Listening to the Language of the Land

A talk, given multiple times in various formats depending on the conference/audience, that overlaps Anishinaabe/Indigenous worldview and how it might be incorporated into modern society to solve modern challenges like hunger, houselessness, gentrification, etc.

Mino-bimaadiziwin: The Good Life

Mino-bimaadiziwin is the Anishinaabe word for “the good life.” What does this mean for the Anishinaabe people, who have strived for it for millennia? It isn’t a label; it is a being, what we speakers of English might call a verb. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance with the world around us. A life of peace, a life in good physical, emotional, and spiritual health. As the late Anishinaabe elder and teacher Edward Benton-Banai said, to live an Anishinaabe life is to live a life where “every footstep becomes a prayer.” Every breath a prayer. Mino-bimaadiziwin is moving through life with this sense of spiritual connection to everyone.

What does it mean to the rest of us? How do we achieve this “good” life? What are our responsibilities to our communities and our relatives – human and non – along the way? Who do we look to so that we may find how it was done in the past, in ways we have maybe become disconnected from? To be in balance, at peace, and in good health, means that we must be in such state not just with ourselves, but with everyone around us. Is this even possible?

Poetry as Spiritual Practice

A talk/workshop discussing how poetry can be, and often is, an exercise in connecting to the spiritual, more-than-human world regardless of religious views.

“Chris La Tray was a true pleasure to work with. He is a one-of-a-kind public speaker and a compelling storyteller! The audience was rapt from his first words to his last. His next visit to Bend and the High Desert Museum can’t come soon enough!” — High Desert Museum, 2025

“I am immensely grateful for the time and energy that Chris La Tray dedicated to spending time with us at the American Prairie Field School. Sharing time out on the prairie was truly a magical experience. His Haiku story was a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling as a form of self-expression and that our own poetry does not have to follow any rules. The way that Chris creatively braided cultural narratives with the beauty of the prairie, nurtured a deeper connection for the students to their heritage and the land. The world is a better place with Chris’ voice riding the wind. I look forward to welcoming Chris back to the prairie in the future, as it was a privilege to learn from such a big-hearted and genuine person.” — Dusty Rixford, Education Coordinator, American Prairie Field School 2024

“One sentence a day. It sounds simple. But that is only because Chris La Tray has a way of making you believe that everything is poetry as long as you are paying attention. And the students at our school were doing just that- paying attention and engaging with all the challenging subjects Mr. La Tray presented. In one of the best school assemblies of my nearly 30 year career, he educated and inspired our students to believe that not only are we all connected but that each of their voices was just as important as the beautiful words of Montana’s Poet Laureate. Migwech for this Métis Storyteller.” — Chani Craig, Librarian, Whitefish Middle School

“Chris La Tray is a compelling presenter and teacher on Indigenous topics. His expertise in storytelling, coupled with his deep cultural insights, makes him an exceptional speaker for diverse audiences. Chris recently delivered the keynote at the 17th Annual Indian Education for All Best Practices Conference in Billings, MT, where his presentation resonated deeply with attendees.” — Annual Indian Education for All Best Practices Conference

“Chris La Tray’s authenticity, humor, and profound insights make him a must-have speaker for any event focused on education, storytelling, or cultural understanding.” — Jennifer Stadum, Indian Education for All Implementation Specialist, Montana Office of Public Instruction

“Chris La Tray has built a life around storytelling, teaching, and connecting. His art is a mechanism, a mode of doing in the world, and also of discovering, dismantling, deconstructing, and demystifying. As an instructor with Freeflow Institute, Chris shares truths and myths alike, always with an eye toward illuminating injustice, mending fractured relationships, and witnessing the quotidian magic of our shared world with heart and eyes wide open. It is a joy to adventure alongside Chris on rivers and trails through the physical world, and also through the wilds of our collective imaginations.” — Chandra Brown, Founder and Director, Freeflow Institute

“Chris visited our community a month ago and we are still talking about how his presence affected us. He was impassioned, assertive, approachable, and dynamic. His stories unified and inspired. Moreover, he is a pleasure to work with and eager to collaborate, which makes the entire process enjoyable for facilitators. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to host him and grateful that he contributes to the potential of small communities.” — Caroline Joan Peixoto, Director, River Arts & Books

“Chris is a captivating speaker and has such a way with words. I have seen him connect with a variety of audiences. He is flexible to the occasion without sacrificing his own values and style. When speaking at Montana Conservation Voters’ Annual Celebration, Chris delivered a powerful message that invited people to explore their place in history and how that knowledge can be used to better protect our natural world. Chris also agreed to record a Public Service Announcement targeting Indigenous audiences about the importance of voting. His message was passionate and eloquent. Throughout all of this, Chris was easy and enjoyable to work with. I am excited to see Chris on one of our Get Out the Vote billboards and to hear his words on the radio!” — Jocelyn Leroux, Deputy Director, Montana Conservations Voters

“Chris La Tray is a compelling storyteller who draws in reflection as a listener, integrating humor and wisdom. He is generous when speaking to a group of settlers, acknowledging historical atrocities, while inviting a shared experience of being human.” — Erin Butts, Assistant Professor, Carroll College, Helena, MT

“Chris recently led a week-long retreat at Ring Lake Ranch on ‘Poetry as Spiritual Practice.’ His leadership of the sessions with our guests was focused and structured but also open to conversation with the group throughout the week. His personal manner was genuine, relaxed, and inviting. Our guests appreciated both his ability to share his personal story and writing as well as to allow them to share their own experiences. His was one of the most compelling retreats we have offered in my twelve-year history of leading Ring Lake Ranch and we hope to invite him back in the future.” — Andy Blackmun, Director, Ring Lake Ranch, Dubois, WY

“When Chris La Tray appeared as a guest in a live webinar in an online Native American Studies for Teachers course that I taught, he wowed the participants through his deep and personal knowledge of the topic, and his articulate presentation of facts and correction of misconceptions. They also appreciated Chris’ graceful directness and humor, and many of the 115 students named him as their favorite speaker out of 15 featured. It is also important to note that Chris volunteered for a second round when another of the speakers was late, and then Chris stayed on and naturally worked into a conversation with that speaker. Chris is always able to change plans, adjust seamlessly, and pull together a professional and heartfelt appearance.” — Anna East, Ed.D., Founder, Chickadee Community Services, 2014 Montana Teacher of the Year

“I have seen Chris La Tray in classrooms, prisons, campus gatherings, onstage, and beside rivers, and have signed reimbursement checks for the thousands of miles he has driven across Montana as our Poet Laureate. Whether with felons or fourth-graders, he lifts up the wonder of our shared human story, and the dignity of our common search to find our true home.” — Krys Holmes, Executive Director, Montana Arts Council

“It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Chris La Tray as a guest speaker. Chris recently joined us for our 26th Annual August Institute, for educators across the state of Montana. The audience of teachers were enthralled with Chris’s presence as soon as he began speaking. It was clear that he possessed an extraordinary depth of knowledge and a genuine passion for the subject matter. Chris’s presentation on being an indigenous student within the public education system was not only informative but also engaging, filled with insightful anecdotes and practical takeaways that resonated deeply with our audience. Chris’s ability to connect with listeners and communicate complex and often controversial topics in a relatable and approachable manner is truly a rarity in today’s world. He skillfully adapted his message to suit the diverse interests and backgrounds of our attendees, ensuring that everyone walked away with valuable insights. I wholeheartedly recommend Chris La Tray to any organization seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable speaker. He will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression and deliver a presentation that is both inspiring and impactful.” — Jessica N. Johnson, M.Ed., Executive Director, MTPLC (Montana Professional Learning Collaborative)

Chris’s News & Press Link

An Irritable Métis Link

Chris’s Event Link

Honors, Awards & Recognition

2025 William Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Montana
2025 Winner of Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award for Becoming Little Shell
2025 Shortlist for 2025 Reading the West Award for Becoming Little Shell
2025 Montana Heritage Keeper Award
2018 Montana Book Award for One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large
2019 High Plains Book Award (Best First Book) for One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large
2019 High Plains Book Award Finalist (Best Book by Indigenous Writer) for One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large
2021 Inaugural Mountain Words Writer in Residence – Crested Butte, CO
2023-2025 Montana Poet Laureate