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energy development represents a pathway out of poverty for Native American tribes that is in line with our cultural values. Tribal communities can lead the charge on the just tran- sition principles through the development of tribal utility commissions that work directly with public utility commis- sions to generate power from renewable energy - both for our own tribal communities and to sell on the grid. Instead of divisive pipelines like DAPL, Line 3 and coal mining destroying our homelands, tribal utilities can offer a positive, Native-led path forward. We have a chance to help build the future rather than continuing the methods of the past. IEI's systems-based methodology weaves expertise in policy, economic development, workforce development, solar technology and system operations to build the capacity of tribes to eliminate energy poverty in their communities and restore self-determination. Specifically, IEI provides technical assistance and equips tribes with the resources, knowledge and skills to: Design, build, operate and maintain tribal- and trib- al-member-owned energy systems Develop residential-, com- mercial- and utility-scale solar projects Train tribal members for well-paying jobs building and maintaining solar systems Secure equitable loans and grants for the development of clean energy and energy storage Engage with strategic part- ners to reduce costs Establish tribal utilities For tribes of the Northern Plains and beyond, the switch to solar power will mitigate the long-term impacts of fossil fuels and is also a way to strengthen tribal self-determination
PHOTO CREDIT: SARAH YEOMAN
through workforce development and energy independence from often exploitative, non-Native- run utilities. This initiative isnt just about building solar projects. We are disrupting the broken fossil fuel-based energy system, says IEI founder, Cheri Smith. This is economic development with really high human impact.
Source: Indigenized Energy Initiative
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