WHO WE ARE
Indigenous founded, led, & operated.
Sovereign Energy started in 2021 after identifying a growing need to ensure that Indigenous voices are better represented in the renewable energy transition, from policy creation to access and implementation. We believe Indigenous ingenuity, collaboration, and community-led solutions are key to healing and transformative impact. We aim to uplift the legacies of Indigenous stewardship, traditional knowledge, and respect for the natural energy sources, land, and sacred sites that have sustained us for generations. We work in partnership with several Tribal Nations, Tribal entities, local and national Indigenous-led and non-profit organizations, state legislative and congressional leadership, and environmental NGOs.
We are based in New Mexico and engage in state, regional, and national opportunities.
The legacies of energy extraction, exploitation, and political barriers to tribal energy sovereignty continue to disrupt and cause harm to Indigenous communities and Tribal Nation building. Sovereign Energy works across the Southwest with Tribal governments and Indigenous Communities to change this paradigm, foster a regenerative energy future, create meaningful action toward climate goals, and ignite reparations for injustices caused by harmful energy development practices.
OUR MISSION
Sovereign Energy builds the individual and collective power of Southwest Pueblos and Tribes to lead the way toward a just, interdependent, and sustainable energy future.
OUR VISION
Tribal energy sovereignty and Indigenous voices centered within the renewable energy transition to remedy legacies of injustice and the rights of Indigenous peoples.
OUR VALUES
Sovereign Energy is held accountable to our values and principles shaping our decision-making and navigating complex conversations about an ethical clean energy future.
Tribal Sovereignty & Self-Determination
Tribal energy sovereignty is the inherent right of Tribal Nations to steward, govern, manage, and advocate for energy development according to unique Tribal core values, responsibilities, and knowledge to ensure the social, cultural, and economic health and well-being of present and future generations. The foundation of an equitable and clean energy future means upholding Tribal sovereignty, the government-to-government relationship, and respect for the uniqueness of each Tribe.
Energy as an Act of Repair and Reciprocity
Reconciling historic harmful practices of energy development is central to a just, reparative energy future for Tribes. Appropriate development of renewable energy for Tribes is more than just an economic commodity and offers intergenerational healing to the legacies of energy extraction and exploitation of Indigenous land and peoples.
Tribes as Climate Leaders
Over generations, Tribes have developed place-based expertise in stewardship of the energy sources, lands, and natural resources of constantly changing environments. As national and global populations seek solutions to address the ongoing impacts of climate change, there is a continual need to support Indigenous traditional knowledge, strategies, and management to ensure the health of the world, our cultures, and communities for generations to come.
Partnerships & Interconnectedness
By acting with trust and transparency, we build meaningful connections across Tribes, state agencies, organizations, the energy industry, and the many partners and stakeholders involved in shaping the energy future. We are deeply committed to the approach that our social systems must reflect the interconnectedness and interdependence of ecological and energy systems. We believe long-term and impactful change requires the collaboration, cooperation, and coordination of our collective ingenuity and efforts.
Kinship & Being a Good Relative
Our core values of love and respect for our land and people hold us accountable as members of the communities we support. We are committed to being good relatives by putting all our relations, the well-being of our Indigenous communities, and Mother Earth at the forefront of our work and decision-making. We work toward an energy future prioritizing sustainable interdependence with the sources of energy that have given our communities life since our beginnings.
Advancement of Education
We believe accessible education and resources are not only essential to supporting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination but are also integral to our collective success. We hold ourselves responsible to continually gather, share, listen, and learn with Tribes and partners.