WHO WE ARE
Indigenous founded, led, & operated.
Sovereign Energy was founded in 2021, recognizing Indigenous voices and leadership as paramount to a just, equitable, and clean energy future. 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. To fulfill our mission of advancing Tribal energy sovereignty, we champion equitable access to renewable energy and advocate for the protection of sacred sites from energy projects that do not fully engage or respect Indigenous communities.
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
At Sovereign Energy, we advance Tribal energy sovereignty as the fundamental right of Tribal Nations to govern, steward, and advocate for energy development rooted in Tribal values, knowledge, and responsibilities. Our work ensures the social, cultural, and economic well-being of present and future generations.
OUR VISION
To shift the paradigm of energy development by ensuring that cultural preservation and sustainable energy progress are mutually supported and prioritized, empowering Indigenous communities to lead the way toward a future where both heritage and innovation thrive together.
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.
Data Sovereignty
We are dedicated to upholding Tribal data sovereignty as the inherent authority and right of Tribal Nations to protect and govern the collection, ownership, access, and use of data on their communities, lands, resources, and cultural knowledge. We uphold strict standards of permissions, confidentiality, and are accountable to responsible handling of data to honor Tribal self-determination and trust.