From the summer of 2023 to 2024, Newo Global Energy worked in a relationship with Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation to employ and support Nation members in the development of several solar and energy-efficiency projects. By developing strong interpersonal relationships alongside attention to mind, body, spirit and emotion, community members were empowered to retain, within the Nation, the economic and employment benefits derived from these projects. Held within a healthy and strong community, climate transition will also become a conduit for connection to traditional knowledge, language and healing.

Newo Global Energy fostered connections with the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation (ANSN) and Montana First Nation to launch a residential audit and retrofit program aimed at promoting sustainable housing and empowering Indigenous communities. The initiative focused on building skills in energy auditing, solar-PV installation, insulation and HVAC, enabling Nations to carry out their own audits and retrofits.

To expand the program, Newo collaborated with Raven Indigenous Outcomes Funds, using their Community Driven Outcomes Contracts (CDOCs) to secure funding for retrofit projects. Newo worked with ANSN on a solar farm feasibility study and partnered with Montana First Nation on energy audits while also supporting the Métis Nation of Alberta in exploring funding opportunities.

Through these efforts, Newo built strong relationships, fostered trust and created long-term opportunities for training and employment, ultimately paving the way for an $11M solar and energy-efficiency retrofit project for 150 MNA-owned homes through the Indigenous Solutions Lab. The funding from Alberta Ecotrust has allowed the Newo team to establish meaningful connections and create space for strategies to emerge organically, where they can collectively move away from colonial conventions that restrict capacity within Indigenous communities.

PRaven has reported they enjoy working with the team and hope to continue partnering on future projects.