SEIA and the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy have announced a new initiative called “Pathways to Trust: A Learning Journey Toward Equitable Tribal Partnerships.” In observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the launch turns recognition into practice, providing step-by-step tools for respectful, mutually beneficial work with sovereign Tribal Nations.
Working with sovereign Tribal Nations requires a high level of cultural awareness and understanding of complex legal and governance frameworks. Pathways to Trust addresses common knowledge gaps that often undermine cross-cultural collaboration and equips participants with practical tools to build mutually beneficial partnerships. The curriculum represents the first comprehensive training of its kind created by Indigenous experts specifically for the energy industry and beyond.
“The energy transition requires trustworthy allies to Tribal Nations,” said Chéri Smith, founder, president and CEO of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. “Every Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we’re asked, ‘What can we do to support Tribes?’ After two years in development, we’re so excited to expand our partnership with SEIA to offer Pathways to Trust as a concrete way for the clean energy industry to act — by building cultural fluency, applying practical tools, engaging respectfully, avoiding harm, and co-creating successful projects with sovereign Tribal Nations.”
The curriculum consists of five interconnected modules — Legal & Political Literacy, Historical Awareness, Cultural Competency and Partnership Skills. Pathways to Trust ensures sovereignty isn’t an afterthought in clean energy development — supporting professionals to work alongside Tribal Nations as governmental partners and rights-holders, and to center sovereignty at every stage of a project, from first outreach through operations.
The online curriculum is now available on SEIA’s learning platform. The full program is also available for in-person, instructor-led delivery.
“The Solar Energy Industries Association is honored to partner with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy to support the development of equitable and effective partnerships with sovereign Tribal Nations,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “We believe in the promise of clean energy for all people and the success we can have together when we put in the work to build deep understanding and respect for Tribal sovereignty, governance, history and contemporary realities. Pathways to Trust was designed with these principles in mind, and we’re looking forward to the progress we can achieve together with trust and respect as the foundation.”
The program is designed for clean energy developers and service providers, federal and state government employees, legal professionals and consultants, project managers, community liaisons and non-profit organizations working with or serving Tribal communities.
Pathways to Trust serves as the foundational requirement for the Alliance’s Preferred Provider Program, which connects Tribal Nations with vetted clean energy service providers. Companies and individuals that complete the training become eligible for inclusion in the Alliance’s Preferred Provider Directory, creating a trusted network of culturally competent partners for Tribal clean energy projects.
By centering Indigenous expertise and providing actionable frameworks, Pathways to Trust supports more effective collaboration, reduces project risks, creates better outcomes for all parties and contributes to the broader goal of equitable relationships between Tribal Nations and external partners.
News item from the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
