Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and American Indian Policy Institute's Indigenous Leadership Academy at ASU Law launch Tribal Energy Leaders Fellowship

The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy and the American Indian Policy Institute’s Indigenous Leadership Academy launched the Tribal Energy Leaders Fellowship (TELF), a first-of-its-kind program designed to strengthen Indigenous leadership in the self-determined pursuit of clean energy. Through TELF, existing and emerging Indigenous leaders will complete more than 100 hours of sector-specific training to build capacity, advance energy sovereignty and address long-standing inequities on Tribal lands in ways that reflect Native leadership, values and vision. 

Fourteen percent of households on Tribal lands have no access to electricity. Those that do pay 56% higher electricity rates than the U.S. average and are nearly seven times more likely to experience electricity outages than other U.S. communities, according to federal data. Clean energy development offers a pathway to overcome those challenges, and economic development, energy sovereignty and community resilience. By leveraging the power of clean, reliable energy systems, Tribal communities can create local jobs, stimulate entrepreneurship and retain energy dollars that would otherwise leave the reservation. Clean energy systems provide reliable, resilient power that can withstand the extreme weather and grid disruptions that are common throughout Indian Country. 

“Energy sovereignty is central to Tribal sovereignty,” said Traci Morris (Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma), executive director of the American Indian Policy Institute. “We are excited to partner with the Alliance in implementing TELF as a part of ILA. This Fellowship is about preparing leaders to shape the future of energy in their communities — using Indigenous knowledge, building partnerships and ensuring that solutions come from within.”

“For too long, Tribal Nations have been shut out of the energy decisions that impact their homelands and futures,” said Chéri Smith (Mi’kmaq descendant), founder, president and CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. “How can we be truly sovereign if we remain dependent on outsiders for our energy? The Tribal Energy Leaders Fellowship equips Tribal leaders with the knowledge, tools and support to advance energy self-determination and shape their Nations’ clean energy future with confidence and sovereignty.”

Throughout the program, TELF participants explore how Indigenous knowledge and practices inform energy development, learn strategies for building community consensus around clean energy and gain a deeper understanding of how energy systems intersect with Tribal sovereignty. 

“This fellowship bridges traditional knowledge with modern innovation,” said Brooke Curleyhair (Diné), AIPI assistant director of the program. “We’re creating space for leaders who can honor Indigenous values while navigating the complex realities of today’s energy transition.”

Applications open Nov. 10. For more information about ILA and TELF or to apply, visit aipi.asu.edu/ila. 

Join an online information session hosted by ILA’s assistant director, Brooke Curleyhair and Alliance TELF Program Manager, Angela Lucas.

• Dates: Nov. 12 and Nov.18
• Time: 12:00 p.m. MST 
• Location:  Zoom | register here

Written by Kennedy Satterfield