Historically, the Navajo traditional subsistence economy works harmoniously with society and the planet. The Navajo Green Jobs initiative seek to reintroduce this sustainability into Dine culture, and help Navajo Nation create its own “Tribal Green Wave”.
This initiative is being carried out by the Navajo Green Economy Coalition, a group of concerned Navajo citizens & non-profit organizations, many of which have indigenous staff members. The goal is to establish a “Navajo Green Economy Fund” that would give opportunities to families, Chapters & individuals to establish local green businesses, thereby encouraging Navajo Economic Self-sufficiency, and a transition to a sustainable economy. These jobs would offer good work and fair wages to youth, students, veterans, formerly incarcerated people, fathers, & mothers. Green Jobs also encourage workers to stay in and serve their communities.
Allocation of funding would be overseen by a multi-stakeholder commission of Students, Community members, Navajo Non-Governmental Organizations, Elders, and Medicine people.
Green Jobs could include solar and wind installation, weatherizing homes, green construction, and local business projects such as weavers coop, traditional farming and butchery.
Navajo Nation can shift to an independent sustainable economy, protect public health, protect and ensure the health of Mother Earth. We believe the combined efforts of Green Leaders can help bring about a bright, authentic and prosperous future.

I hope this offers a fuller picture, but you may also want to visit: http://navajogreenjobs.com/
Thanks again,
caroline

Dine’ Resident, you are right to ask probing questions and be wary of bold promises. Here is one straightforward answer. Green jobs include working at solar power plants and wind turbine manufacturers. But they also employ welders, sheet metal workers, machinists, and truck drivers to do the work of laying an energy infrastructure that releases less pollution.

On the Navajo Nation, that could mean building and operating a wind farm, as is being discussed for the Cameron Chapter. Or it could mean training builders to retrofit tribal offices and clinics with energy efficient windows and heating systems.

I live in Kayenta near Black Mesa, where many people have jobs at the Peabody Coal Mine. I know money comes from the mine and nearby coal-fired power plants into reservation communities, but so does the pollution, increased asthma rates, and financial risk inherent in selling coal in a market that will very soon start taxing global warming emissions.

With a wind farm–or other green energy projects–you get the jobs and the money, but you don’t get the pollution.

We understand your sentiment. Please don’t be discouraged. We are a Native operated non profit that was formed to provide basic education to our community on what Green jobs actually ARE…there is still so much confusion and opportunities vary from region to region. We felt that the non-native groups that are entering Indian country to have a historical misunderstanding about who we are and that their programs are more designed for the general American public. What might work in Detroit will not translate well in Shiprock.

We acknowledge that there is a lot of work to do, and it will take a great effort requiring many people coming together, we have tried to reach out to the other Native organizers so that we can support each other and present these issues from an Indigenous perspective.

Although we have an alliance with 1Sky, we were not invited to participate in this event, which is unfortunate. While we support 1Sky and Green for All’s efforts they do not have Native employees or Board members advising them on Indian country. As involved members of our community we have a different perspective and feel that Indian people are capable of designing an effort of our own. We also see a need to educate the Eco-Elite, Green energy industry and green job movement about Indian country, so they have a better understanding when visiting our communities.

There WILL be Green jobs for Native people either urban or Rez…we are in the beginning phases of growth right now and education is key at this point.

If you want to access basic information on the variety of Green job skill sets, locate training and OJT employment, or just see the green growth happening across Indian country, feel free to visit our site at http://www.NativeWorkplace.com

Please check out our Board and advisory committee, as we are all Native except one person.

Cristala Allen (Caddo)
Executive Director
Native Workplace