Workshop: A Way Forward: Pathways to Trust For Energy Projects in Tribal Communities

Wednesday, December 4

8:00 AM -9:00 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM -9:15 AM | Opening Blessing and Inauguration Ceremony

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM | Session I - Bridging the Gap: Addressing Challenges from Cultural Misunderstandings in Tribal Partnerships

10:30 AM -11:00 AM | Networking Break

11:00 AM -12:30 PM | Session II - From First Contact to Revolution: The Lasting Impacts of Colonization on Native American Communities

12:30 PM -1:30 PM | Networking Lunch

1:30 PM -3:00 PM | Session III - Power and Displacement: The History of Colonization, Electrification, and Their Impact on Native American Communities After the American Revolution

3:00 PM- 3:30 PM | Networking Break

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM | Session IV - Building Bridges: Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Establishing Respectful Relationships with Native American Tribes

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Closing Discussion

Wednesday, December 4

8:00 AM -9:00 AM | Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:00 AM -9:15 AM | Opening Blessing and Inauguration Ceremony

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM | Session I - Bridging the Gap: Addressing Challenges from Cultural Misunderstandings in Tribal Partnerships

Overview: This session will delve into the critical importance of cultural preparation for providers engaging with Native American communities. We will explore how a lack of cultural understanding can lead to significant issues such as miscommunication, where providers may inadvertently disrespect cultural norms, leading to trust erosion and damaged relationships. We will discuss the legal and regulatory challenges when providers overlook tribal sovereignty and governance structures, resulting in potential legal disputes and compliance issues. The session will also highlight the adverse social and environmental impacts of projects that neglect to consider the cultural significance of land and resources, causing harm to the community’s well-being. Additionally, we will address how these oversights can lead to project delays, increased costs, and ultimately harm community relations, undermining future collaboration opportunities. By examining these challenges, we aim to underscore the necessity of cultural sensitivity and preparation for successful and respectful partnerships.

10:30 AM -11:00 AM | Networking Break

11:00 AM -12:30 PM | Session II - From First Contact to Revolution: The Lasting Impacts of Colonization on Native American Communities

Overview: This session explores the impact of colonization on Native American communities, starting with the doctrine of discovery and the 15th-16th century papal bulls that legitimized European claims to Indigenous lands. We’ll discuss how religion and systems like the encomienda forced Native labor and how the fur trade and French and Indian War shaped Indigenous alliances. The session concludes with the Proclamation of 1763 and the role of Native communities during the American Revolution, highlighting their strategic importance and complex relationships.   

12:30 PM -1:30 PM | Networking Lunch

1:30 PM -3:00 PM | Session III - Power and Displacement: The History of Colonization, Electrification, and Their Impact on Native American Communities After the American Revolution

Overview: This session will explore key milestones in colonization and electrification and their lasting impacts on Native American communities. From the Post-Independence Treaty-Making Era (1783-1871) and the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to the Dawes Act of 1887 and forced assimilation through boarding schools, we’ll examine policies that fragmented lands, disrupted cultures, and marginalized Native communities. The Rural Electrification Administration of 1935 often left reservations underserved, compounding these challenges. The session will conclude with the American Indian Movement of 1968, highlighting ongoing resilience and the fight for sovereignty and civil rights.

3:00 PM- 3:30 PM | Networking Break

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM | Session IV - Building Bridges: Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Establishing Respectful Relationships with Native American Tribes

Overview: This session will address common mistakes when engaging with Native American tribes, including misunderstandings about Tribal sovereignty, the diversity among tribes, and harmful stereotypes. These misconceptions can damage relationships and hinder collaboration. We’ll offer guidance on respectful engagement, such as researching each tribe’s history and customs, respecting sovereignty and treaties, and approaching interactions with the care of international relations. Topics include educating tribes about geothermal projects, building trust through transparent communication, offering tribes minority shareholder opportunities, and finding common ground to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Closing Discussion

All events will be held at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center:

Hilton Salt Lake City Center
255 S West Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Click here to make your room reservation today! 

Geothermal Rising has negotiated a special block specifically for our event attendees. All attendees should make every effort to stay at the official event hotel. Supporting the official hotel room block provides staff support to resolve hotel reservation disputes; ensures attendees receive all applicable discounts and materials; and, assists GR in maintaining affordable, quality programming. 

Reservations will be available based on hotel occupancy and availability. 

Please note that the hotel will never call or contact you directly about making reservations. To ensure your room is in the official Geothermal Rising Room Block, you should only book your room by using the housing link above or by calling the Hilton Salt Lake City Center directly. 

Hotel Check-in: 3:00 PM
Hotel Check-out: 11:00 AM

Salt Lake City International Airport is approximately 10-15 minutes away from the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. Visit the airport website for additional details regarding transportation options and general airport information.

SLC Website

Registration Fees: 

• $495 per person

Register Today! 

Registration Information: The workshop fee includes all sessions, activities and meal functions.

Registration cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to registration@geothermal.org by Friday, November 22, 2024, for a partial refund. A $75 processing fee applies to cancellations postmarked or emailed by this date. NO REFUNDS will be made for cancellation requests after Friday, November 22, 2024. Substitution(s) can be made at any time, with prior approval. 

Leigha Bradford

Leigha is a registered member of the Little Shell Band of Chippewa Indians of Montana, the most recent Tribe to be federally recognized. She is a Montana native, having grown up under the big sky and on the hills of Butte, MT. Leigha is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Governance and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. Although she had little exposure to political and governmental processes growing up, by the time she was a sophomore in high school, Leigha realized that these topics were areas she wanted to become more fluent in, especially as a minority in Montana. She spent many semesters in college studying, researching, and writing about federal processes and their effects on American Indians. Leigha's decision to pursue studies in political science, governance, and public administration has been instrumental in her success in various service-driven roles and organizations she has been part of.

Leigha has dedicated her professional career to service-driven missions, including work with AmeriCorps and Indigenous organizations. She recently concluded her time as the Cultural Services Manager with an Urban Indian Organization (UIO) in Montana, one of five in the state and one of 41 in the United States. During her time at the UIO, Leigha and the Cultural Specialist planned and implemented the Cultural Department to offer urban Natives and non-Natives cultural connection, education, and resources. Leigha and her colleague dedicated significant time to ensuring that urban Natives had a voice, particularly focusing on youth who struggled with their identity as Native individuals in an urban environment.

When Leigha isn’t working, you can find her planning her next NHL hockey trip with her husband, tending to the small garden in her yard, beading, or studying the Ojibwe language, aspiring for future fluency. As her namesake Princess/General Leia would proudly proclaim, “Gi-ga-miinigoz Mamaandaawiziwin” - May the Force be with You.

Angela Lucas is a dedicated leader and advocate for advancing clean energy initiatives within Tribal communities. As the Program Manager for the Tribal Energy Leadership Fellows (TELF) at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, Angela is committed to developing innovative workforce education pathways that empower emerging leaders in the clean energy sector.

Angela Lucas

Angela has held senior leadership positions with public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including roles at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), Indiana State Museum, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where she engaged directly with Tribal leaders and key stakeholders to advance energy and infrastructure development across Tribal lands.

Through the Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) and The National Alliance for Communications Technology Education and Learning (NACTEL), she facilitated collaboration between energy and telecommunications employers, corporations, associations, contractors, and higher education institutions to design and promote industry-approved education solutions for workforce training, upskilling, and reskilling.

Angela's journey in workforce development began with delivering job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities, a cause close to her heart. Her professional experience also includes meaningful work at the Indiana State Museum, where she interpreted Indiana Territorial education, law, legislation, and Indigenous history from pre-contact up to 1830.

With extensive experience in cultivating collaborative relationships, Angela possesses a profound understanding of career pathways and education in the energy industry. Her expertise includes collaboration with Tribal Nations and stakeholder engagement to support education and workforce initiatives benefiting Tribal members.

Angela holds a bachelor's degree in Native American Social History and master's degrees in Nonprofit Leadership from Saint Mary of the Woods College. She is actively involved in volunteering with organizations such as American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL), American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), Music and Memory and the National Park Service.

Dr. Ramon Sanchez

Dr. Ramon Sanchez, PhD, is Indigenous to the Mayo and Yaqui people of the coastal regions of Sonora and Sinaloa.  Dr. Sanchez provides strategic leadership planning for the organization and the tribes it serves, supporting integral sustainable development, innovation, and field knowledge management alongside initiatives for organizational continuous improvement. He also fosters community partnership development, driving change through innovation, education, and workforce training using the best available technological and didactic tools. Previously, Dr. Sanchez held positions as the Director of the Sustainable Technologies and Health Program and Director of Corporate Outreach and Strategy at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

With expertise as a Forward Products Engineer specializing in testing new technologies for automotive designs and managing intellectual property and manufacturing systems, Dr. Sanchez brings a wealth of technical experience. Additionally, he shares his knowledge by teaching courses on renewable energy, sustainable business, product design, manufacturing, and supply chain management at the Harvard Division for Continuing Education. His specialties include Energy and Infrastructure Policies, Environmental Management, Biofuels Production, Public Health, and the health effects of automotive technologies.  He has led renewable energy projects for many years in Native villages in his homeland, electrifying homes previously without electricity.