Sovereign Energy

As Indigenous Peoples, we are far too familiar with resisting corruption, colonialism, and extractivism- our resilience runs deep, never wavering in our fight to protect and defend our lands, communities, and Mother Earth. While the shock of yesterday’s election starts to settle in, let us be reminded of the generations of resistance before us, and the many generations of resistance to come after us. We will never stop fighting for balance, equity, peace, justice, and the respect of our ways of life! Today we mourn. Tomorrow we fight!

We are here for you! A team of 170 NARF-trained volunteers are at polling sites across Indian Country working to ensure Native voters can cast their ballots. If you experience any issues while voting, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE and mention you are from Indian Country to get assistance from NARF’s team: https://lnkd.in/g63C4jHb #NativeVote #ElectionProtection #VotingRights

There is still time to register for the upcoming PNNL tribal listening session, scheduled for Wednesday November 6, on inclusive transmission planning. This is a good opportunity to share tribal experiences with transmission planning efforts.

Every 👏 Native 👏 Vote 👏 Counts! 👏 For Indigenous Peoples, voting represents a complicated history with our communities and, at times, conflict. Yet every ballot cast today strengthens our voice in decisions that impact Tribal sovereignty, including land and water protections, sustainable energy, health services, housing, language and culture revitalization, education, and so much more. Vote in honor of our ancestors. Vote to empower our communities. Vote for future generations. Check your registration status, learn what’s on your local ballot, and find your closest polling location at vote.org 🗳️ #NativesVote2024 #EveryNativeVoteCounts #CountOurVotes #2024Election #ElectionDay2024 #ElectionDay #GetOutTheVote #GOTV #NativeVote #NativeAmerican #Indigenous #Native #WeAreIndigenous

This election season, we reflect on the resilience of our communities in the face of ongoing barriers to voting. For generations, Indigenous people were systematically excluded from the democratic process in the U.S., denied the right to vote by colonial policies that sought to silence our voices and diminish our influence over decisions that impact our lands, water, and people. Today, these injustices echo in the challenges many Indigenous voters still face at the polls: limited access to polling places, restrictive ID requirements, and systemic barriers that make it harder for us to participate. Despite this, our voices have never been more crucial. As Indigenous people, we understand that while this government was built on colonial structures, participating in local elections is a powerful way to advocate for our communities. Local officials make decisions about everything from land use to environmental protections to resource allocations—issues that directly affect our Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations. By voting, we continue our ancestors’ fight for sovereignty and self-determination. We make sure our needs are represented, and we remind others that our communities stand strong, resilient, and engaged. Let’s honor the generations before us by making our voices heard in every election. Vote for change. Vote for your community. Vote for your sovereignty.

We love Tribal energy success stories

We, Indigenous people, have the solutions and knowledge to protect our culture, communities, and land. However, access to resources remains a barrier. Direct financing can help overcome these barriers.

This past spring, the Gun Lake Tribe (Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi) received $4 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Climate Resilience Program, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship. The funds will support a fleet of electric vehicles, a gray water management system, and a two-acre solar array that will reduce energy costs by 80% while preserving local ecosystems. Underneath the solar panels, native gardens will support prairie restoration, showcasing a sustainable path that respects both land and culture. Yet, as new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals, the path to Tribal energy sovereignty is challenged by federal regulations and barriers that limit tribes’ autonomy over their resources. Without changes, these obstacles could result in a $19 billion loss in tribal revenue by 2050. Education, access to dedicated funding, and dismantling restrictive federal policies are essential to unlocking the full potential of tribal green energy initiatives. Tribal energy sovereignty isn’t just about reducing energy costs—it’s about tribes leading in ways that respect cultural priorities, foster resilience, and build lasting economic opportunity. As Virginia Vanderband of Gun Lake emphasizes, "We must maintain our sovereignty first... This allows us to honor and preserve our culture and our way of life." Read more: https://lnkd.in/eTdYAn5j

🌿 Sovereign Energy Farm Visit to Tesuque Pueblo Farm 🌞 Recently, Sovereign Energy had the honor of visiting Tesuque Pueblo Farm, a beautiful example of sustainable, community-centered farming. This visit highlighted our shared commitment to supporting renewable energy innovations and food sovereignty, including a deep dive into the farm’s solar energy work. This was a pivotal step in learning more about how farming can be implemented on Tribal farms. Here are some highlights from the day: 🔹 Seed Bank & Traditional Farming: We toured the farm's solar-powered, straw bale seed bank, preserving a rich variety of traditional seeds that are vital for future generations. Tesuque Farm employs traditional farming techniques across its 70 acres to produce essential crops, herbal medicines, and even non-traditional crops like asparagus and fruit trees. 🔹 Sustainable Practices: Tesuque Farm exemplifies sustainable agriculture, using geothermal and solar-powered greenhouses, natural fertilizers, composting, water conservation, and chemical-free practices. The farm also features solar-powered dryers and showers, beehives for pollination, and family plots for community members. 🔹 Solar in Action: We explored the ways solar is helping Tesuque Farm optimize energy use, promote food security, and advance clean energy access. The visit demonstrated how traditional knowledge, paired with renewable energy solutions, can strengthen community health, food security, and environmental resilience. Thank you to the Tesuque Pueblo Farm for sharing your wisdom and commitment to land stewardship! And thank you to the Honnold Foundation for supporting our work🌱

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm recently announced updates to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Tribal consultation policy, changing how DOE engages with Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Corporations. ---> What does this mean? Each DOE office will now designate a Tribal Liaison and develop clear plans for Tribal engagement, including staff training and dedicated resources. These steps reflect a deepened commitment to honoring trust obligations, especially as Tribal Nations lead on clean energy initiatives, backed by $500 million in DOE investments.