If green energy is the path to the future, then tribes, and even urban based tribes, and Indian communities, are in good shape to be a part of the green revolution. I see Montana regionally as a model for green energy development; in particular, harnessing the wind and solar power along the Rocky Mountain front. Developing affordable energy is key to attracting and sustaining businesses that want to locate in an area where there is a greater quality of life. Better yet, it is preferable to enable local energy consortium building. This has started to happen, Montana is not wanting for leadership in this field, our Governor has pushed for these kinds of projects since taking office.
THE ANISHINABE GREEN INITIATIVE
Locally in Great Falls, there is a great opportunity to build wind turbines, with Listening Thunder Technology, we are advancing our proposal. This proposal will focus on wind and solar energy development. Currently, foreign countries such as Denmark, lead the way in building turbines. This nation builds 60% of all turbines sold around the world. LTT is proposing this turbine plant to be jointly owned and operated by the Rocky Boy Chippewa (not the same as the Chippewa Cree) and Little Shell bands in Great Falls. While the overture is being made for the Little Shell to participate in Anishinabe Green, it is up to their tribal council, and their people. Whether they ultimately decide to participate or choose not to, the proposal will move forward.
We are proposing federal assistance available from the current administration for green energy to make this happen. We believe Great Falls has the available infrastructure and it is not only centrally located statewide, but also regionally with markets in the western U.S. and Canada. This is just one way where we can impact the local economy several times over; and this is our model going forward. Components of the Anishinabe Green Initiative proposes to:
include partnering with the local MSU-COT wind technology program, partnering to build a local solar technology and certification training course to train workers.
stipended training for workers to ease the the burden of retraining.
federal grants to the bands to conduct feasibility, planning, securing financing, and implementation of the project
federally backed loan to implement the business.
THE NEED FOR URBAN COMMUNITY WELLNESS & RENEWAL
Montana Indians experience the highest suicide rate in the nation; I am asking assistance from Sen. Max Baucus office to include the need for community wellness and renewal centers in the urban areas of the state to ensure Native Americans who reside in these communities have a means to continue and practice their cultural traditions. In addition, Montana guarantees the constitutional commitment to the cultural integrity of Montana's tribal people. That commitment is all encompassing, on and off the reservation. We can see at the present time, Montana is badly failing in this commitment, and the statistics reflect this.
We have approached his staff to include the centers to meet urban Indian community needs in the HEALTH CARE REFORM legislation. Whether his final bill is the one passed by Congress or not, we fully expect this legislation to be enacted by whatever means possible. We must address the root causes of what many of our families fall victim too; and that is inescapable despair.
In my experience, the lack of physical space, ownership of their own destiny and the lack of opportunity only compound the sense of alienation many native people feel leaving the reservation. For those such as the land dispossessed Chippewa, the need to rebuild and retain a sense of cultural identity is vital to our future survival. These centers are needed by urban Indian youth; they are victims of policy neglect--and they face multiple barriers to succeed in life. I am struck at how little resources native families have in urban life; this is a primary causation of ending up a statistic in the corrections system.
I am proposing these centers have multiple components and with enough flexibility that local communities have the resources to make this initiative work for them. I am proposing and intend to pass on to Sen. Tester and Rep. Rehberg; the need for additional federal aid to enact a pay-to-learn model for urban Indian youth to attain academic achievement. The high unemployment in urban Indian communities have made it very difficult for Indian youth to stay in school. As a result, they often do not have even basic resources to achieve. Parents frustrated by the lack of resources resort to alcohol and/or already dealing with chemical addictions; compound the problem. Consistent and reliable community support is vital to these families, the need exists, and there must be a greater federal commitment to address these needs.
To ensure that Natives move on to higher education,and employment, I am proposing a Bridge to Success program modeled after the NCLR's Escalera program, that mentors youth to succeed in educational endeavor and employment. I am proposing that this program be extended to Montana youth of all backgrounds, and based on income qualifications.
Further details on Gopher's Jobs Proposals will always be posted on UNV First!
No comments:
Post a Comment