The “solar warriors” train for the energy combat of the Amerindians

TAOS, NM, PINE RIDGE, SD, Oct. 8 (Reuters) – It’s a leap from office paperwork to building solar power systems, but it’s the leap Lorraine Nez is taking to bring renewable energy to its Native American reserve.

Nez was one of a dozen Indigenous trainees who took a month-long course this summer on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, to become certified solar installers and trainers.

Students from six tribes are among the Native Americans who harness the vast potential of renewable energy on tribal lands and fight economic inequalities that hinder access to clean energy.

“It’s still a new industry, there aren’t a lot of people here in this world with any kind of knowledge,” said Nez, 44, a former business management nurse from the United States. Rosebud Sioux Reservation, South Dakota. and lives in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she works in medical billing.

Native Americans are ten times more likely to have no electricity than the national average and, since people of color are much less likely to have solar power, after 20th century rural electrification bypassed some of their communities, studies have shown.

To help build tribal energy independence, the Solar Energy International training group has partnered with nonprofit Red Cloud Renewable to teach students how to assemble off-grid systems for isolated homes or grid-connected arrays in order to reduce bills.

These “solar warriors” hope to provide electricity to areas like the Navajo Nation, where about 25% of homes lack electricity, and lower energy bills on reserves like Pine Ridge, which is the county seat. poorest in the United States.

“I want to educate the community, show by example how solar and renewable energy coincides with the Chippewa Cree belief system, the entire Native American belief system,” said intern Clyde Brown, 45, who plans to ‘install solar power at the community college on its reserve in Rocky Boy, Montana.

Another goal is to create a Native American solar workforce to build large panels in places like the Navajo Nation and Pine Ridge and teach solar skills to the next generation.

“The people there have realized that energy sovereignty is more important to them and that the only way to achieve that is to focus on the most renewable resources,” said workshop instructor Chris Brooks, 48 years old, from the non-profit organization Remote Energy of move by reservations. diversify away from oil, gas and coal-based electricity.

Nez hopes to start a settlement business in an industry dominated by white males with an earth and elemental lifestyle.

“It’s here, why don’t we use it? she said solar power.

Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico and Emilie Richardson in Pine Ridge, South Dakota; Editing by Marguerita Choy

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