An Evening Honoring Award Winning Author Chris La Tray

Earth Week Series

Since 2003, the William Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer program has brought renowned authors to the University of Montana to teach environmental writing to graduate students in the Environmental Studies program. Past honorees include Rebecca Solnit, Craig Childs, Ana Maria Spagna, and, most recently, Amy Irvine. As part of Missoula Public Library’s Earth Week Series, we are honored to host this special event celebrating Chris La Tray, the 2025 William Kittredge Distinguished Visiting Writer, Montana Poet Laureate, and Little Shell Chippewa member. A familiar presence at the library, La Tray never delivers the same program twice, so attendees can expect engaging storytelling—and perhaps a few new poems. This event also marks another milestone for La Tray: his recent memoir, Becoming Little Shell: A Landless Indian’s Journey Home (Milkweed Editions, Aug. 2024), was named a winner of the 2025 Pacific Northwest Book Award. The celebration will begin with a reading at Missoula Public Library, followed by a reception at Fact & Fiction Books.