News from around the Nations

Salazar Approves First-Ever Commercial Solar Energy Project on American Indian Trust Lands

350 megawatt photovoltaic facility in Nevada will benefit Moapa Band of Paiute Indians, generate enough power for over 100,000 homes

WASHINGTON –Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar approved a 350-megawatt solar energy project on tribal trust land of the Moapa Band of Paiute Indians (Tribe) in Clark County, Nevada. The project marks a milestone as the first-ever, utility-scale solar project approved for development on tribal lands. Secretary Salazar said. “Tribal lands hold great renewable energy potential, and smart development of these resources has the power to strengthen tribal economies, create jobs and generate clean electricity for communities across Indian Country.”

The Record of Decision signed today approves the construction, operation and maintenance of a low-impact photovoltaic (PV) facility and associated infrastructure on about 2,000 acres of the Tribe’s reservation, located 30 miles north of Las Vegas. The site represents about three percent of the Tribe’s 71,954-acres, which are held in trust by the U.S. Government. The project is expected to generate about 400 jobs at peak construction and 15-20 permanent jobs.

Donald “Del” Laverdure, Acting Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs said, “As our nation’s energy portfolio continues to grow, it is important that tribal communities have the opportunity to harness the energy of the wind and sun in a way that can power our homes, businesses and economies.”

To minimize and mitigate potential environmental impacts, a Desert Tortoise Translocation Plan, Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy and Weed Management Plan will be implemented, and natural resources monitoring by qualified biologists will be conducted during all surface disturbing activities.

TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DEMONSTRATE NATURAL FOOD COOKING TECHNIQUES AT THE 2012 SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL

While the nation’s land-grant institutions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, some of the nation’s 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) will also be celebrating their commitment to “food sovereignty” initiatives during the 2012 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 27–July 1 and July 4–8, on the Nation Mall in Washington, D.C.

This year’s Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature two TCUs: Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Wash., and United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, N.D.

These institutions will share the food sovereignty belief at all TCUs through demonstrations of techniques for growing plants, making of traditional food storage containers, and instructions about drying vegetables and fruits as well as substituting modern food ingredients in traditional recipes.

“TCUs have a long history of educating tribal communities about local food systems and traditional plants and animals used for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes,” Carrie L. Billy, AIHEC president & CEO. “Research confirms the nutritional value of culturally important plant foods, such as buffalo berries, stinging nettles, and chokecherry. These Native foods are not only healing tools, but can be lifesaving when paired with physical activity to combat obesity and diabetes—health disparities experienced widely in tribal communities.”

First Nations Development Institute Grants $400,000 to 22 Native American Organizations

First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) announced the selection of 22 American Indian organizations to receive grants through its Native Youth and Culture Fund for the 2012-2013 funding cycle that began June 1, 2012. The Native Youth and Culture Fund grants – ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each – total $400,000 for the 2012-2013 cycle.

The projects cover a variety of areas, including youth-elder intergenerational programs, cultivating responsibility and leadership, language programs, traditional foods, financial education, canoe and sweat lodge building, personal and public health and nutrition, history and cultural documentation, art and craft skills, mentoring and networking, and environmental stewardship

Besides direct project funding, First Nations also will send one representative from each organization to the 17th Annual First Nations L.E.A.D. Institute Conference, which will be held Sept. 25-27, 2012, at the Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino in Chandler, Arizona. The conference is a key part of the L.E.A.D. Institute (Leadership and Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship Development program), and is an intensive learning, mentoring and networking event for emerging and existing leaders and staff members of Native nonprofits, and philanthropic professionals. (Note: Any individuals or organizations interested in learning more about Native nonprofits and/or Native American philanthropy are invited to register for the conference. Details will be posted on First Nations’ website at http://www.firstnations.org.)