M.L. Smoker is Nakoda, Dakota and Lakota, a citizen of the Fort Peck Tribe. She served as Montana poet laureate from 2019-2021. She received an MFA from the University of Montana. In 2019 she was recognized as an alumna of the year and received an honorary doctorate in 2023 from the University. Her first collection of poems, Another Attempt at Rescue, was published by Hanging Loose Press in 2005, with a new collection debuting in 2025. She also co authored a children’s graphic novel entitled Thunderous (2022). She received a regional Emmy award for her work as a writer/consultant on the PBS documentary Indian Relay. Each year, M.L. performs at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada.
