'Solar warriors' train for Native American energy fight

[Jilly_in_VA]

It is a jump from doing office paperwork to building solar power systems, but that is the leap Lorraine Nez is taking to bring renewable energy to her Native American reservation.

Nez was one of a dozen Native trainees who took a monthlong course this summer on South Dakota's Pine Ridge Reservation to become certified solar power installers and trainers.

The students from six tribes are among Native Americans tapping into vast renewable energy potential on tribal lands and fighting economic inequalities holding back access to clean power.

"This is still a new industry, there are not many people out here in this world with any type of knowledge," said Nez, 44, a former nurse with a degree in business management, who is from the Rosebud Sioux reservation in South Dakota and lives in Rapid City, South Dakota, where she works in medical billing.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/solar-warriors-train-native-american-energy-fight/story?id=80484300

[sagetea]

1. In N. Eastern

Nevada, there is a reservation 'Owyhee' Reservation, I go there once every couple of months, the last time I went, there were four or five houses with solar panels and smaller building which I think, was for energy storage...? Anyway, everything was new and pretty cool! I pulled over and left some tobacco and a prayer of gratitude!

sage