In Their Words
Native Voices
Native Voices
Anaconda Junior Senior High School
Honors Junior English and U.S. History
It all started with a good book. In Fall of 2025, as part of an Indian Education for All project, the Honors Junior English class at Anaconda Junior Senior High School read the novel There, There by Tommy Orange. Their literary journey was guided by this question: How can we recognize indigenous peoples' places in modern society while also honoring their traditional identities?
The students carried their inquiry to U.S. History Class, where they studied Native Americans past and present and learned about the historic significance of Anaconda to indigenous people. Ultimately, the students posed this scholarly question: What is the contemporary experience of Native people living in the Anaconda area? They did what good researchers do: Went straight to the primary source.
The group of 26 students—guided by their history and English teachers—joined four Native people who shared their cultural experiences and life stories at a gathering at the Hearst Free Library in April. Additionally, they journeyed to Helena, Mont., to gather historical information at the Montana Heritage Museum and the archives at the Montana Historical Society. They used what they learned to create podcasts intended to inform and engage their listeners about historic and contemporary Native people and issues. You can listen on the "Podcasts" tab on this Website. The podcasts, produced with equipment funded by a Karen Cox Memorial Grant for Mrs. Hansen's English class, are intended to showcase learning, pay homage to indigenous people, and build bridges of understanding amongst all who call the Anaconda area home.
Cultural Specialists from the Butte Native Wellness Center visit with Anaconda students at the Hears Free Library.
Charlie Farmer shares stories of life on and off the reservation with students at the Hearst Free Library.
About the teachers
This project is the result of a cross-curricular collaboration between AJSHS teachers Erin Hansen (left) and Jennifer Graham (right).
Erin teaches Honors Junior English. She holds bachelor's degrees in journalism and education and a master's degree in education.
Jennifer teaches Honors U.S. History. She holds a bachelor's degree in education and master's degrees in clinical counseling and education administration.