Tribal Renewable Energy Workshops a Success

Trees, Water & People (TWP) partnered with Lakota Solar Enterprises (LSE), headed by Henry Red Cloud, and recently presented a solar heating training and demonstration on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.

The workshop on January 8^th, was the culmination of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Little Thunder Clean Energy Education Partnership (CEEP), which began in 2005 with the goal of demonstrating small-scale renewable energy approaches and integrating them into tribal housing policy.

In 2007, TWP and LSE held a conference on Rosebud with the other CEEP members, which included interactive workshops in which participants took part in the installations of the solar electric system and a small wind turbine.

TWP and LSE continued the Little Thunder CEEP project by installing solar heating systems and “energyscape” wind-break and shade trees at the Rosebud Veterans’ Homeless Shelter and at four additional family homes. These “demonstration” homes have seen positive results, with one household reporting a 25% decrease in their heating bill compared to the previous winter.

TWP, LSE and leaders on the Rosebud Reservation are enthusiastic about expanding this partnership and building on the success of the Little Thunder CEEP project.

First Solar Heating Training at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center

Six members from the Rosebud Tribe attended the first training lead by Henry Red Cloud (proprietor of Lakota Solar Enterprises) at the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) from January 26^th to February 5^th to learn how to assemble and install solar heating panels.

Trees, Water & People (TWP) partnered with Lakota Solar Enterprises (LSE) on the Pine Ridge Reservation created RCREC in 2007. The center is unique in providing hands-on training in renewable energy applications for Native Americans, by Native Americans. Training and strategies to help tribes establish successful solar installation programs are provided now and other renewable energy application trainings will be added in the future.

For five days the participants learned and practiced the step-by-step process for assembling solar heating systems at RCREC. They then helped with the actual installations of systems for homes at Pine Ridge. They also learned the economic and environmental benefits of clean solar energy.

Rosebud’s Housing Authority Sicangu Wicoti Awanyakape and the Rosebud Sicangu Nation Employment and Training Program have purchased materials for 50 solar heating systems, which their newly trained and certified solar technicians will assemble and install at Rosebud. “I will be able to take this training home and utilize it for our people,” commented trainee John Little Elk.

TREES, WATER & PEOPLE NAMES NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

Trees, Water & People (TWP), has named Jon Becker of Boulder to the position of president of the board of directors. Jon Becker has served as a dedicated board member of TWP for five years and now looks forward to his new leadership role as president.

As a co-owner and operator of SolarGlass Window and Door, Inc. of Boulder from 1981 to 2007, Becker has extensive experience with renewable energy. As the new president of the board of directors, Becker will spearhead promotion of TWP’s carbon offset program.

To learn how to reduce your carbon footprint visit www.treeswaterpeople.org

NEW VAN FOR LAKOTA SOLAR ENTERPRISES!

TWP gives special thanks to the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins for their generous donation of a 1990 Dodge Van in support of our Tribal Lands Renewable Energy Program. The van will be used by our friend and partner Henry Red Cloud, proprietor of Lakota Solar Enterprises on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, to deliver money-saving solar heating systems to tribal families.

Henry recently celebrated his birthday, and as a surprise gift TWP had the donated van repainted. Now, Henry has a reliable vehicle to replace his old van (nearly 400,000 miles!) that looks great and will advertise his Native American-owned and operated renewable energy business.

We wish Henry a very happy birthday and hope that his new van will provide him and Lakota Solar Enterprises with many years of dependable service!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: RED CLOUD RENEWABLE ENERGY CENTER

The Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota USA is looking for a couple of self-sufficient, talented, dedicated and skilled live-in volunteers to help develop the Center over the next year.  Opportunities include: finishing building the guest bedrooms for visiting tribal members to stay while attending renewable energy workshops; further developing and maintaining the organic garden and greenhouse; building and installing clean, money-saving solar heating systems for tribal families; and much, much more!

Interested?  If so, please contact Richard Fox at richard@treeswaterpeople.org