Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Solar Brackets/Panels to be Installed on Red Lake Government Center Beginning at 9 am Friday, March 23, 2018

Installation of various photo-voltaic arrays will commence on Red Lake Nation buildings beginning with the Government Center on Friday, March 23, 2018, beginning at 9 a.m. Other buildings to follow include Seven Clans Casinos at Red Lake, Thief River Falls, and Warroad, Red Lake Nation College, Humanities Center, Justice Complex, Comprehensive Health - Hospital and Nursing Home, and Boys and Girls Club at an estimated savings of over $1.6 million per year.

The solar power plan is divided into three phases, with Friday initiating Phase I, addressing the process of adding equipment to buildings. The first phase consists of developing between $20-$30 million in solar energy equipment, as well as solar energy training for the Red Lake workforce.

Red Lake will install 15 megawatts — equal to 15 million watts — worth of solar panels across the rooftops of its largest buildings. When they’re done, the panels will generate enough power to light every bulb in the tribe’s three casinos, the tribal college and all government buildings.

But the 15-megawatt rooftop installation is only the first step of a larger renewable energy plan. The band has also negotiating with Minnesota Power to build and operate a solar farm.

Phase II will be the development of solar energy farms and will consist of 40 – 100 acres of solar panels that will provide 10 – 20 MW of electricity to be sold to the grid, thus, producing a steady revenue stream for years to come for the Tribe.

Phase III will be the development of a solar energy plant that will produce solar equipment for the industry, while providing jobs assembling solar panels for the members of Red Lake Nation.

It’s one of the largest solar projects planned in northern Minnesota, and tribal leaders said it is a big step toward energy independence for the Red Lake Nation.

A Vision for the Future: The Red Lake Solar Energy Plan

Solar Power Goals for Red Lake Nation

Main Goal:

Red Lake Nation will replace all electric energy now generated by lignite coal with solar energy, now and into the future for the entire reservation, and in harmony with the Anishinaabe worldview of respect for Mother Earth. These new solar energy technologies will be completely installed and functioning by 2020.

Background:

All energy on earth comes from the sun directly or indirectly. The more directly we tap the sun’s energy, the more efficient the use and the less pollution we create. Most places around the world mainly use indirect forms of stored solar energy, such as burning wood, coal, oil, fuel and gas that cause air and water pollution. Direct solar power is safe, quiet, effective, cost-efficient and an environmentally responsible way to provide energy. When combined with smart battery systems, these technologies will allow the Red Lake Nation to virtually have its own self sufficient power plant complete with back up batteries.

Fish and other foods are being contaminated by mercury and other pollutions that come mainly from burning coal. That pollution can be reduced through solar power.

How This Will Happen:

Solar power can be harnessed more directly for electricity and heat by good technology in several ways. Direct solar power can provide energy wherever it is needed.

Red Lake Nation leaders have a vision to help all their people live in harmony with nature consistent with their culture. With solar photovoltaic (PV) technology the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians will power its’ government buildings, schools, casinos, local businesses, homes, workshops and farms with power directly from the sun.

The Red Lake Band has formal agreements with a construction company and solar power corporation to design, engineer, procure, construct, and project manage solar energy projects for the three Red Lake casinos and various other tribal government buildings. The Band has also approved the utilization of a financial institution that specializes in solar energy projects.

Expert technicians will not only install solar, but also teach tribal members to eventually install and service the solar systems. The solar initiative will create jobs and an internal industry for tribal members.

Red Lake Nation will eventually have many big and small installations of solar electric generation and storage, solar heating and storage, smart controls and friendly connections with the local power companies. Those so inclined Red Lake band members can also start their own solar businesses, employing people in clean solar product manufacturing, solar installations and solar equipment service. Many jobs will be created when Red Lake Nation creates their own local solar power companies.

The money for the initial solar installations comes from investors willing to donate these solar systems to the tribe by using tax incentives. After only five years of investor ownership, the Red Lake Band will own the solar systems completely in year six of operation.

The Solar Goals for Red Lake Nation Comes in Three Phases:

The Red Lake Nation Solar Projects/Industry will be developed in three phases. Phase one will consist of the development of $20 - $30 million of solar energy and energy storage equipment to address the high cost of electricity in the tribe’s larger facilities. This saves the tribe roughly $2 million a year in energy costs. Though a sovereign nation, Red Lake relies entirely on electricity generated outside its’ borders by means that are harmful to the earth.

All Government Buildings and Casinos will host enough solar PV to reduce their entire electric bills to zero. As one of the largest solar projects planned in northern Minnesota, tribal leaders feel it is a big step toward energy independence for the Red Lake Nation.

Phase One:

The first phase consists of developing between $20-$30 million in solar energy equipment, as well as solar energy training for the Red Lake workforce. There is an estimated savings of approximately $2 million per year.

In phase one, Red Lake will install an estimated 15 megawatts (15 million watts) worth of solar panels across the rooftops and grounds to power the Nation’s largest buildings. When complete, the panels will generate enough power to cover all power usage/loads in the tribe’s three casinos, the tribal college, government center, justice center, and schools (including the Ponemah school). This includes a plan addressing the financial needs for solar energy development; the addition of solar energy storage in smart battery systems and acquisition of capital investors to finance Phase I.

Phase Two:

At least two large (ten-megawatt) installations of solar PV will be built and installed on Red Lake Nation land to generate electricity to be sold to the grid and other entities. The tribe will build the first solar farm within the boundaries of the Reservation.

Phase two solar energy farms will consist of 40 – 100 acres of solar panels that will provide 10 – 20 MW of electricity to be sold to the grid, thus, producing a steady revenue stream for years to come for the tribe.

Phase Three:

Phase three will be the development of a plan to provide the capability for the Red Lake Nation to provide and to develop a variety of large and small solar energy facilities that will produce enough electricity to address the electrical needs of all the Red Lake Nation members.

Small installations of solar PV on the homes and other buildings of the tribe will be installed by members of the Red Lake Band after training and starting their own solar business. These solar businesses will employ people in clean solar product manufacturing, solar installations and solar equipment service.

Results:

Economics:

The Red Lake Nation Solar Energy plan for the future, displays the Nation’s commitment to:

1. Improving the quality of life for all Red Lake Nation members;

2. Provide training to enhance the development of our labor force;

3. Provide meaningful employment for Red Lake Nation members;

4. Ensure cost savings in the operation of facilities and businesses;

5. Create a steady source of revenue for the Red Lake Nation;

6. Diversification of the tribal economy and investments;

7. Provide a clean, renewable source of energy for the People.

Environment:

The Red Lake commercial fishery has been an important part of the tribe and the regional economy for a hundred years.

Miskwaagamiiwizaaga’iganiing (Red Lake), lakes in Minnesota and the US, have been contaminated by mercury and other toxic substances, as have the fish that provide sustenance for Red Lake citizens. Man-made air pollution is the cause of this poison. Seventy percent of the mercury present in the lake’s fish is from coal burning power plants, mining and related activities. Solar panels will provide heat, light, and energy without burning fossil fuels, and coal which harm the air, water, fish, and wildlife. These solar panels will provide energy for tribal enterprises and the homes of tribal members for years to come and future generations.

The Cultural Connection

“At Red Lake, because of its unique distinction and its’ relative isolation, language, tradition and culture survive. Sovereignty, Red Lakers say, means sheltering traditions not as museum pieces for tourists, but as living expressions of what it means to be Indian.” ~ROAD TO PONEMAH: The Teachings of Larry Stillday

“The world may yet realize the ancient American Indian environmental ethic. This is important, it begins with us, and we must share this ethic.” ~Gichi-Ma'iingan, (Big Wolf) ROAD TO PONEMAH: The Teachings of Larry Stillday

A well known, accepted and admired part of American Indian culture is an environmental ethic, a respect for the land. That coupled with Red Lake’s reputation for leadership in Indian Country and its unique status, may draw more attention to the benefits of solar energy. Red Lake could become a pilot project or role model for other non-profits and tribal or city governments.

The Red Lake Nation Solar Energy Plan for the Future, displays the Nation’s commitment to: preservation and conservation of the environment; provides an energy source which is compatible with Red Lake tribal beliefs of living in harmony with nature.

Meaningful from this standpoint, renewable energy harnesses the natural forces of life, of nature, which provides the foundation for who we are as Native People. At the end of the day, our language, our songs, our cultural traditions are all based on the great gift of heat and light from Gimishoomisinaan Giizis (Grandfather Sun) and the many gifts of Gimaamaanaan Aki (Mother Earth). As we move forward, we strive to utilize the many blessings from nature, with the utmost respect and adherence to the processes, which preserve and conserve these precious gifts.

Equally if not more important is the significance of helping to save our planet earth. The reverence that American Indian people have shown for our environment and our mother earth is part of our culture…of who we are. The sun and the wind have always provided life to the earth.

Over the past century and a half, humankind has done much damage to the planet. Now is the time to stop polluting our planet and utilize a source of energy that is available to us without the very, very harmful consequences of fossil fuels and the potential danger of nuclear power.

It seems very appropriate that a Native American Tribe will be one of the first project endeavors to help save Mother Earth in this manner.

 

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