In 2016, the power of Indigenous People was spotlighted by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe-led #NODAPL movement, a protest against the building of the Dakota Access pipeline that would cut through Tribal lands and waters. Though the #NODAPL movement was not able to overcome the power and pressure to build the pipeline, it proved to be a pivotal moment in the Tribe’s history, Indigenous rights in the United States, and the climate justice movement at large, becoming a template for Indigenous-led activism going forward.
#NODAPL was a galvanizing movement for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. It awakened Tribal members to the possibilities for positive impact their lands could have on their people and encouraged Tribal leaders and members to capitalize on the momentum created to improve the state of the Tribe. The Tribe decided that it needed to make a conscious effort to develop the community on its own terms. They started by asking Tribal members what they dreamed for Standing Rock—today and seven generations into the future. Out of the answers to this question, they came up with four strategic priorities:
- Stewarding the land, air, and water
- Developing and investing in renewable energy projects and resource usage
- Communicating Standing Rock’s story with the outside world in an authentic way
- Financial development that benefits the Tribe and its people
These four priorities have been at the forefront of everything the Tribe has created to support its economic and social development.
THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: SAGE
One of Standing Rock’s first actions was founding the Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority (also known as SAGE Development Authority), the first 100 percent Native-owned public power authority in the United States. SAGE—which stands for strategic, advancement, goals, and the environment—is a federally chartered Section 17 Corporation under the Indian Reorganization Act. It’s tasked with owning and operating all energy production resources within the reservation. For Indigenous communities worldwide, the quest for self-determination is intrinsically linked to environmental justice. SAGE exemplifies this synergy, empowering the Tribe to chart its own energy future while upholding cultural values and sovereignty.
SAGE’s inaugural project, the Anpetu Wi Wind Farm—which means “morning light” in the Lakota/Dakota language—will deliver 235 megawatts of clean energy to the Tribe, create clean energy jobs, and foster economic growth throughout the region. The farm is projected to generate more than $100 million over the next 25 to 30 years and will nearly double Standing Rock’s annual revenue. It will also allow SAGE to hire and train Tribal members and other members of the North and South Dakota communities. When completed, Anpetu Wi will be the first and only utility-scale, Native-led wind farm in the United States.
LEARNING LESSONS & SHARING THE VISION
The process of getting Anpetu Wi off the ground has been a big learning experience for SAGE and has illustrated how many obstacles there are for non-traditional energy authorities to enter the field. One of the biggest challenges to date for SAGE has been the process of becoming interconnected with the regional grid. It’s expensive and complicated. Without the flexibility of SAGE’s partners, like Justice Capital, and the support of individuals who donated $420,000 during SAGE’s Phase I crowdsource funding, progress would have been significantly curtailed. SAGE is now in Phase II and is again working with partners and the public to reach its funding goal.
One of the critical facets of Anpetu Wi has been ensuring the Tribe maintains ownership and governance of the wind farm. This means that the revenue is going directly to Standing Rock, and all decisions are made with the input and consent of the Tribe. Because of this, one of the challenges SAGE faced has been finding a development partner, as developers are generally accustomed to direct control of projects. However, they have secured a partnership with a soon-to-be-announced developer willing to work with SAGE on its terms.
In May 2024, SAGE hosted a site visit at Standing Rock for investors and public sector leaders. This was an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to learn more about SAGE and see all of SAGE’s projects in person and in action. I was lucky enough to be a part of the cohort that toured the future location of Anpetu Wi, as well as SAGE’s other renewable energy projects. We also had the honor to hear about the Tribe’s history and future aspirations directly from Tribal elders. This was an invaluable opportunity to see the impact SAGE will have through the eyes of members who have witnessed some of the long history of Standing Rock and who were key in the #NODAPL movement.
The site visit was also an opportunity for Federal Government officials to tour Tribal clean energy projects supported by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Treasurer of the United States, Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba, the first Native American to hold this position and the first modern day female chief of the Mohegan Tribe, was a part of this visit and spoke to the cohort about her and her office’s collaboration with SAGE and Standing Rock.
CREATING LASTING IMPACT
Anpetu Wi is not the only initiative SAGE and Standing Rock are embarking on. In addition to building the first-ever Native-owned wind farm, SAGE is working towards a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network that will provide stations to Standing Rock residents and create a charging corridor through the northern Midwest. SAGE is also working to install solar on all eight of the reservation’s district community buildings, hopefully the first step down the path to community solar in Standing Rock.
Finally, in alignment with the third pillar of Standing Rock’s envisioned future, SAGE is working to build
the Museum Interpretive Center at Standing Rock. This center will be not only a museum, but also “a vibrant cultural beacon dedicated to exploring, preserving, and showcasing the rich history and culture of the Standing Rock people,” according to the center’s website. It will provide the Tribe a safe haven for culturally significant artifacts, something it has never previously had. For Tribal members, the desecration of sacred sites and artifacts that happened during #NODAPL highlighted the need for this cultural center.
As always, it’s critical to get involved on the ground level and put our resources—time, capital, politics, and anything else at our disposal— behind those creating the most direct impact on the communities and ecosystems most harmed. SAGE offers a great opportunity to get involved. To sign up for their email list to follow the progress of Anpetu Wi and their other projects, and to keep abreast of the best way to get involved and support SAGE and Standing Rock, visit SAGE’s website at sagesrst.org.
As we strive towards a more equitable and sustainable world, the lessons of SAGE Development and its partners resonate far beyond energy production. They remind us that true progress requires honoring the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples, respecting the earth, and building communities rooted in justice and solidarity.
