Montana Festival of the Book

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

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A shout out out to Karl Olsen and the folks at the Missoula Public Library for sponsoring last night’s panel “The (mis)education of Archilde Leon,” a boarding school themed panel based in the writings of D’Arcy McNickle, author of “The Surrounded.” We had a great turnout, filled the room and had to double the seating with the great lineup up panelists, including Ray Cross, Mary Jane Charlo and Kathleen Little Leaf. I moderated and had a good time, too!

As most may know, or not, “The Surrounded” has been chosen as the One Book Montana choice for 2009. That means everyone should be reading it and joining in on several discussions happening across the state to take about this important work on literature, one of the first written from the Native perspective by a Native. McNickle was part Cree but he grew up on the Flathead Reservation here in Montana. The Missoula Library forum on the “The Surrounded,” helped kicked off opening activities for the Montana Festival of the Book. It’s a fun time for anyone who likes to read, meet other bibliophiles and listen to a lot of great conversations about writing. Check out the book festival schedule for a complete lineup of speakers and other events. I hope to see a lot of Native people out and about since it would be nice to have a regular listing of indigenous voices speaking up at the table. Again, check out the schedule. I remember seeing, somewhere, that Salish poet Victor Charlo will be reading during the festival!

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Jodi Rave

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