Standing Rock Sparked a Shift. See What One Leader Built.
The 10th anniversary of the historic Standing Rock protests marks a pivotal moment in the fight for environmental justice. Members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and allies opposed the Dakota Access pipeline, citing threats to water, sacred sites, and a deeper reliance on fossil fuels. While the pipeline was ultimately built, the experience profoundly transformed tribal leader Cody Two Bears. Witnessing firsthand the impacts of extraction ignited his passion to champion sustainable solutions for Native communities. This crucial moment underscored the urgent need for communities to control their energy future.
Cody Two Bears, who served on the Standing Rock Tribal Council, saw how pipeline projects impact communities globally. He realized this threat could also affect his own backyard. This direct experience motivated him to understand the long-term consequences of fossil fuels and to help tribes explore clean energy alternatives. The fight against the pipeline became a catalyst for a new mission: empowering Indigenous communities with renewable power.
Leaving his leadership role, Two Bears founded Indigenized Energy. This nonprofit has been instrumental in developing significant clean energy projects, including North Dakota's largest solar farm right on the Standing Rock Reservation. This project serves as a powerful example of how communities can transition from reliance on harmful fossil fuels to self-sufficient, environmentally friendly power.
Beyond local impact, Indigenized Energy also spearheads the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition. This network connects tribes working together to install solar power on their lands, creating a collective movement towards energy independence and environmental stewardship. For Two Bears, the Standing Rock protests ignited an enduring passion for clean energy, demonstrating that even in the face of setbacks, a powerful vision for a sustainable future can take root and flourish. Moving towards electrification and clean energy is not just about reducing emissions; it's about building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.