Written by Youth Voices Program Manager Mike Green
What does the future of energy look like in southeast Montana? That’s the question a group of high school students in Lame Deer set out to answer during a 4-day Youth Voices audio journalism workshop hosted by Chief Dull Knife College and the Montana Media Lab.
Over the course of four days, the students dove into the complex conversation around nuclear energy development in a region historically shaped by coal. With audio recorders in hand, they toured the Westmoreland Rosebud coal mine, interviewed members of their community, and spoke with Montana state representatives about the possibility of transitioning to nuclear power.
Working as a team of young journalists, the group learned the complexities facing the Northern Cheyenne and Colstrip communities. As Montana eyes a potential transition away from coal, not everyone is thrilled to have nuclear developments right next door.
For many, it was their first time working as journalists—and they rose to the challenge. They practiced interview techniques, captured ambient sounds from the field, and learned the basics of audio production. These tools helped them explore not only how energy is produced, but also how to tell a story that can hold nuance, raise questions, and include a range of perspectives.
The workshop also featured a visit from Robyn Iron, a KPAX reporter and recent graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. Robyn, who is a member of the Northern Cheyenne, shared her experience working on Highway of Death, a student-produced documentary about traffic fatalities on Highway 212. Her conversation with the students sparked important dialogue about what it means to report from your own community, how to handle difficult interviews, and how journalism can be a tool for both accountability and connection.
By the end of the week, the students had a deeper understanding of energy in Montana and the power of storytelling.
We’re grateful to Chief Dull Knife College for hosting this project and creating space for young people in Montana to engage with real-world issues through hands-on learning. Keep an eye out for the final story, which will be released soon.