Hau’ Mitakuyapi (Hello My Relatives),
Seven years ago, I imagined a future for all tribes that includes energy sovereignty, economic opportunity, and the restoration of balance across all living systems. My work with the #NoDAPL movement and as a life-long member of the Standing Rock Sioux helped shape this vision. Indigenized Energy is the result.
To those who have been on this journey with us—it’s good to see you, my friends. To all who are joining now: Tanyan Yahi or welcome. We’ve come a long way in seven years, but what is ahead will change everything for at least 14 Tribal communities. It’s an exciting time to join us.
With so much going on in the renewable energy sectors right now, in large part due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to make clean energy more affordable and accessible, I believe it is critical to talk about why Native people and Native-led organizations must be at the heart of energy transformation on tribal lands. We’ve centered this newsletter issue around a powerful idea: Native-Led Now and we encourage you to join the conversation.
Although they comprise less than 5% of the world population, Indigenous people protect 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity in the forests, deserts, grasslands, and marine environments in which they have lived for centuries.
Despite their traditional roles as keepers of the environment there is astonishingly little representation from Indigenous people on the frontlines of environmental and climate policy, clean energy planning and transformation, and in leadership roles within companies working on renewable energy.
You’ve heard me talk before about non-Native companies parachuting onto Native lands, serving their bottom-line, and leaving. Whether these companies are building something or extracting something, they too often do this work without input from the people who live on and know the land.
Native people and communities have the wisdom necessary to address environmental protections and achieve energy sovereignty. They know their own strengths, their own needs, and how best to help their own people.
Native-led nonprofits—including Indigenized Energy—walk alongside tribes in the creation and implementation of Native-led solutions. Indigenized Energy’s broader vision of solar energy transitions in Indian Country includes building a pipeline of opportunities by, and for, tribes. Green jobs are a big part of that. In our profile of Wesley Davis, co-founder of Lightspring Solar, we highlight the journey of a tribal member who built a successful career in the green economy and has enabled others to do this work.
Eight years ago this Spring, the #NoDAPL protests had evolved into a full-blown movement, with protesters residing in encampments on and off the reservation. The Center for Constitutional Rights has called it the largest gathering of Indigenous tribes in over a century. We know the work of achieving energy sovereignty for all nations calls for many allies, many strong voices, and the leadership of tribal communities. In our story about the historic Northern Plains Tribal Coalition, we talk about the 14 tribes that came together to create a clean energy funding proposal and were awarded $136 million in Solar for All funding to unleash transformational solar projects on their lands.
Addressing climate change and fighting for energy sovereignty requires more resources and more skills than a single organization can muster. Knowing this, Indigenized Energy develops relationships with partners who share our values, and who respect tribal communities. In our story about Freedom Forever and Jinko Solar, Inc., we share how these trust-based relationships support the work we are doing in Indian Country.
I sincerely hope you enjoy these stories of progress and hope.
Your support continues to be crucial for our success. Sharing our stories and supporting our work in ways that are meaningful to you makes a huge difference. Together, we can continue to achieve great things for tribal communities and our shared environment.
Sincerely,
Cody Two Bears
Founder and Executive Director,
Indigenized Energy