Indigenized Energy Helps Shape the Conversation at North Dakota’s First Native Day at the Capital
February 20, 2025 – The State Capitol in Bismarck, North Dakota buzzed with the energy of the first annual Native Day at the Capital, a vibrant celebration honoring the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native communities. Lieutenant Governor Michelle Strinden hosted Native leaders including Indigenized Energy’s own Eric Grey Cloud (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), Grants and Contracts Manager; Ryan Eagle (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation), Director of Capacity Building; and Shelby Rae Keplin (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), Tribal Partnerships and Engagement Manager.
Why Our Presence Mattered
For Indigenized Energy, participation was about more than just attendance—it was a commitment to ensuring that the voices of Native communities are heard in policy-making circles. As Ryan Eagle explained, “It was important for us to represent Indigenized Energy at this event because our policymakers here in North Dakota need to understand the importance of Tribal energy sovereignty, the impact that Indigenized Energy has on the state of North Dakota—economic, environmental, social—and the importance of the Solar for All program. By engaging with North Dakota State legislators and the North Dakota Lieutenant Governor, our team helped highlight how renewable energy initiatives can complement traditional energy sources and pave the way for a more diversified energy portfolio in the state.”
Why Our Presence Mattered
The inaugural Native Day brought together tribal representatives and community leaders from across the state:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: Eric Grey Cloud represented the tribe with distinction, bringing forward insights on community priorities.
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians: Representative Jayme Davis and Shelby Rae Keplin were instrumental in highlighting the contributions of the Turtle Mountain community.
MHA Nation: Representative Lisa Finley-DeVille joined the dialogue, emphasizing the need for cultural preservation and innovative solutions, while Ryan Eagle talked about the importance of renewable energy.
Spirit Lake Tribe: Representative Collette Brown brought valuable perspectives on intertribal collaboration and local development.
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe: Brad Hawk, Director of the Indian Affairs Commission for the State of North Dakota, lent his extensive leadership experience and expertise in bringing tribal voices to the table.
These leaders, among many others, enriched the event with their knowledge, experience, and a deep commitment to community engagement and sustainable development.
Insights from Ryan Eagle: Reflections on Native American Affairs Day
Ryan Eagle’s reflections capture the essence of the event and the role Indigenized Energy plays in the broader narrative of Indigenous empowerment. He shared, “the goal of Native Day was to raise awareness about Native organizations and specific issues affecting our Tribal communities in North Dakota. Through our active engagement, the Indigenized Energy team not only introduced our impactful work but the historic collaboration of the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition (T-REC).”
Ryan further noted, “There is a lot of work to be done to build the capacity of our state legislators around renewable energy and the ways in which renewable energy can actually complement our existing energy sources (namely oil) here in North Dakota, and create a more diverse energy portfolio for the State.” His insights serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey toward integrating sustainable energy practices with the traditional values and needs of our Tribal communities.
Moving Forward Together
The first annual Native Day at the North Dakota State Capitol was much more than a ceremonial event—it was a call to action. Indigenized Energy’s active participation underscored a deep commitment to advocating for tribal energy sovereignty and ensuring that Native voices influence the state's energy future. We are honored to be part of these conversations that uplift Native voices and strengthen our collective future. Together, we move forward with unity and purpose.