Chris La Tray is a writer, poet, and musician, as well as the author of the award-winning book One Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large. Chris is also an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe—a Native American tribe that was just recently recognized by the United States government, and prior to the recognition was known as the “landless Indians of Montana.” Chris’s immense talents as a storyteller combined with his unique personal perspective allow him to offer a fresh approach to understanding the complexities of the modern-day American West.
Chris was born and raised in Frenchtown, Montana, a small blue-collar community located just west of Missoula. Growing up with a deep passion for music, Chris headed to Seattle soon after high school to pursue a career as a professional rock musician, but he eventually made his way back to Frenchtown, where he worked for years in the manufacturing industry. But in 2015, following the death of his father, Chris quit his manufacturing consulting job and went all-in on pursuing his dream of being a full-time storyteller. A few years later, he published One Sentence Journal and has been widely recognized as one of the West’s most unique up-and-coming authors.
Chris and I had an interesting and timely conversation about his career, his life as a writer and musician, and his family’s heritage as members of the Little Shell Tribe. We start out by discussing the genesis of his idea for “One Sentence Journal,” how writing the book has changed his life, and a few stories from his many years as a professional musician. Then, we talk in-depth about the long-overdue federal recognition of his tribe and his thoughts on how the tribe can move forward. We also discuss how the long-term treatment of his tribe gives Chris unique insights into the current national discussions around race and privilege here in the United States. Chris also offers up a long list of excellent books on a wide variety of subjects related to the West and Native Americans that I know you will all find useful. Links to everything are in the episode notes.
Thanks to Chris for taking the time to chat, and I encourage you to check out One Sentence Journal. But in the meantime, enjoy this conversation with Chris La Tray.
Photo courtesy of Chris La Tray
Download on Apple Podcasts
—
Download on Spotify
—
Download on Google Podcasts
—
Download on Stitcher
—
EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 6:30 – Influence of Jim Harrison
- 8:40 – Writing practice that led to “One Sentence Journal”
- 11:30 – The amazing community of Montana writers
- 14:30 – The “practice” of creative output
- 16:30 – Decision to leave his manufacturing job
- 19:30 – Early years in Montana and beyond
- 21:30 – Music’s role in Chris’s life
- 24:00 – Becoming a “musician”
- 25:30 – Reading/writing vs music
- 27:00 – Chris’s Little Shell Tribe heritage
- 32:30 – Emotional impact of learning family’s history
- 35:15 – Thoughts on the Little Shell’s federal recognition
- 38:30 – Ideas for the future of the Little Shell Tribe
- 40:00 – Specifics of federal recognition
- 44:00 – How to read to expand knowledge and eliminate blind spots
- 46:30 – Hope for the future?
- 54:00 – Fact and Fiction Bookstore
- 59:00 – Favorite books
- 1:03:30 – Favorite location in the West
- 1:05:30 – Parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- Chris La Tray
- Chris’s email newsletter
- One Sentence Journal by Chris La Tray
- In Search of Small Gods by Jim Harrison
- Returning to Earth by Jim Harrison
- Braided Creek by Jim Harrison
- Frenchtown, MT
- Little Shell Tribe
- “Landless Indians of Montana”
- Métis
- The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Troyer
- Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- James Lee Burke
- David Sedaris
- Ellen Meloy
- Anna Maria Spana
- Amy Irvine
- Craig Childs
- Robert Sund
- Heather Durham
- Jim Welch
- Richard Wagamese
- Joy Harjo
- Council Grove
SPECIAL OFFER FOR M&P LISTENERS!
Freeflow Institute is a Montana-based organization focused on re-wilding the creative spirit, connecting people to places, and preserving wild spaces. Freeflow eliminates the barrier between your ideas and your environment by bringing emerging and established writers, leaders, artists, and communicators together into wild landscapes.
On a Freeflow course you can expect to gain perspective and identify new tools to help you be effective in your creative work and build creative community. You can also take Freeflow courses for college credit and infuse your academic career with outdoor learning.
The line-up of Freeflow instructors includes many guests of the Mountain & Prairie Podcast, including Alexis Bonogofsky, Hal Herring, Brendan Leonard, and today’s guest, Chris La Tray. This summer, Freeflow is adapting their programming to meet the challenges of the current moment, and I want to share two specific opportunities with you now.
Starting on July 1, join a small cohort of writers and artists of all backgrounds for a unique, online, five-week Community Workshop Series, the theme of which is SHIFT. SHIFT is meant to empower you to find your voice amid the chaos and tackle the question of how we use our art and words to catalyze positive change, while exploring the natural world closest to and within you. Guest speakers will include Pam Houston, Amy Irvine, and Craig Childs, among others. Scholarships are available, and there are only a few spaces left.
Then, in September, join Pulitzer Prize finalist William DeBuys on a five-day writing workshop on the Green River’s Gates of Lodore, where you’ll spend days floating between canyon walls, analyzing the concept of change in literature, climate, and life, and writing.
Find out more about all of Freeflow Institute’s programs by visiting their website: www.freeflowinstitute.com or shoot them an email at info@freeflowinstitute.com
The first ten Mountain & Prairie listeners who register for SHIFT or the Gates of Lodore Workshop will get $150 off their tuition! Just mention the Podcast when you register.
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these as well:
- Len Necefer – Indigenous Advocate
- Chris Dombrowski – Words, Water & the West
- Taylor Keen – Tribal Truth Seeker
- Juanita Vero – A Deep Love of Place
- Alexis Bonogofsky – Taking a Stand for the West
M&P IS POWERED BY:
FEATURED UPCOMING EVENT:
—
