On March 19th, ITEP’s Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center hosted a webinar titled "Energy Workforce Development" developed for ITEP’s audience. The webinar focused on resources and stories about training and empowering Tribal members with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate in the growing renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies. Clean energy workforce development supports sustainable economic growth and job creation and advances environmental stewardship, energy independence, and climate resilience. Developing a skilled workforce ensures Tribes can lead and benefit from clean energy projects on their lands. Speakers on this webinar included two representatives from Grid Alternatives who highlighted how renewable energy and workforce development empower Tribal nations to achieve resource sovereignty, providing hands-on training, local control of energy resources, and long-term environmental and economic benefits through sustainable, mission-driven approaches. Additionally, Levi Purdum, the Director of Energize Wind River, spoke about the Energize Wind River project, a community solar project dedicated to hiring from within the community being served. This presentation covered hiring and retention, funding strategies, challenges and solutions faced, and more. Finally, Ezra Wells, from LEMA Indigenous spoke about their technology solutions, training philosophy, and community-based design. The webinar had 215 registrants, with 86 attending and representation from 38 unique Tribes and 19 Tribal Organizations.

Workforce development for clean energy projects on Tribal lands is one way to foster Tribal sovereignty, economic independence, and environmental sustainability. By empowering Tribal members with the skills and expertise needed to design, implement, and manage clean energy initiatives, Tribes can reduce reliance on external contractors and fossil fuels while creating long-term job opportunities within their communities. These efforts support Tribal self-determination, help mitigate environmental impacts, and generate lasting economic and environmental benefits for current and future generations. Investing in clean energy workforce training also aligns with Tribal values of stewardship and sustainable resource management.

This webinar is designed to provide tribal communities with a comprehensive understanding of critical minerals and their importance. Critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, are used for modern technologies, renewable energy, and national security, but their extraction and use raise environmental, economic, and sovereignty concerns. This session will explore what critical minerals are, why they matter, and how Tribal and Indigenous communities can engage with these issues while protecting their land and resources.

Key Takeaways:

• Learn what critical minerals are and how they are used in renewable energy technologies.
• Explore the potential impacts of critical mineral extraction on tribal lands.

This roundtable brings together Tribal and Indigenous leaders, environmental experts, and community advocates to discuss the intersection of clean transportation, air quality, and community health. Transportation is one of the largest contributors to air pollution, which disproportionately affects BIPOC and frontline communities. As Tribes consider adopting electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean transportation technologies, it is essential to center wellness, justice, and data-driven approaches in the transition. This session will explore strategies for reducing transportation-related air pollution, improving health outcomes through clean mobility, and ensuring that EV adoption does not unintentionally burden marginalized communities. Panelists will also discuss tools and approaches for monitoring emissions and evaluating the health impacts of clean transportation projects in Tribal contexts.