New report boosts tribal-state sustainability collaborations

From the report summary: 

“Tribal and State governments have a unique and often misunderstood relationship. State government employees are often not aware that Tribes are sovereign entities and not subject to their laws, regulations, or processes on Tribal lands. This lack of understanding causes situations in which consultation with Tribes is overlooked or inadequate, which further strains relationships and can threaten Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Similarly, a lack of understanding of Tribal processes often leads to the incorrect assertion that the Tribe must follow the State’s processes, including their extensive paperwork. Despite these challenges, there has been more collaboration between Tribal and State governments in recent years.”

As noted in the report, CERTs has partnered throughout the years with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe on their sustainability and clean energy journey. We are honored to have played a small part in the Band’s progress, primarily through CERTs Seed Grants.

“CERTs strives to meet partners where they are in their clean energy journey,” says Heidi Auel, Central CERT Regional Coordinator. “We understand that tribes often face greater barriers when it comes to access to funds and capacity.”

Auel continues, “We also understand that our work with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was one project with one Native nation. The approach we use with each nation throughout the state is not a template, and that we need to learn the unique operations of each government to have a successful partnership.”