Exploring the hurdles faced by a tribe in collaborating with solar companies for infrastructure projects, impacting energy reliance and economic empowerment for members. The chapter delves into challenges like financial constraints, ownership considerations, and the lack of suitable frameworks for tribal benefit from government energy programs.
We often talk about a “just transition” from dirty to clean energy as if the term means the same thing to everyone. Indigenous people have seen their resources extracted and exploited to further the wealth of others for centuries. Now renewable energy is looking to expand to Indigenous land.
How can renewable energy help Tribes leapfrog the twentieth century technologies that put them at the end of the line for corporate-controlled electricity? How can we, as Chéri Smith, Founder of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, says, “make sure that Tribes are not only having a seat at the table, but they're building the table and inviting everyone else to it?”
Guests:
Chéri Smith, President & CEO, Founder at Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Steven Wadsworth, Vice Chairman, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Raylene Whitford, Founder, Canative Energy
Maui Solomon, Executive Chairman, Moriaori Imi Settlement Trust
For show notes and related links, visit our website.
This episode was produced in collaboration with On Shifting Ground with Ray Suarez, featuring Suarez as a guest host. Additionally, Sarah Howard provides field reporting.
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