- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
Three tribes in Minnesota are getting a $1.4 million federal injection to provide clean electricity to tribal homes. The funding was announced last week by U.S. Democratic Senators Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, and Amy Klobuchar.
The grants allocated to the Bois Forte Band, Prairie Island Indian Community, and Red Lake Nation will amount to $295,000, $500,000, and $600,000, respectively. Beyond financial assistance, the Tribal Electrification Program also provides technical support to Tribes, assisting them in securing funding for clean energy projects.
“Achieving energy sovereignty while eliminating or offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions on Prairie Island is the goal of our net zero program,” said Prairie Island Tribal Council President Grant Johnson. “This grant will allow us to make electrification improvements to our members’ homes and involve them more directly in our efforts to change our energy narrative and achieve our net zero goal.”
Tribal lands account for around 6.5 percent of the country’s renewable energy potential, yet Native American households lack access to electricity at far higher rates than the national average, according to the Energy Information Administration. Without reliable access to power, essential tasks such as heating homes, lighting, refrigeration, and powering medical equipment become challenging.
This initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct a significant portion of federal investments to disadvantaged communities, including federally recognized Tribal Nations.
"For generations, Native communities have been hurt by underinvestment and underfunding of basic infrastructure. Our transition to a clean energy economy can’t leave Indian Country behind,” said Senator Smith in a press release. “This funding gets us closer to ensuring every household in Minnesota, including on Tribal lands, has access to clean electricity.”
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
President Biden to Tribal Nations: "We don’t erase history"
President Biden to Designate National Monument at Carlisle Indian Boarding School
Vice President Harris Will Address the White House Tribal Nations Summit Today
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.
