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2021-2022 Cohort

To watch “A Year as a Tribal Energy Innovator” webinar Click Here

Brett Alberts (Spirit Lake Sioux)

Brett Alberts is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe from Spirit Lake, North Dakota.  Brett is currently attending United Tribes Technical College where he is currently pursuing his bachelors in Tribal Environmental Science and Research. He has earned his associates in Pre-Engineering and Computer Information Technology. His research involves fabricating Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) from organic natural dyes. His hobbies include working out, cars, video games, and a passion for learning.

Fellowship goal(s): To build capacity and create solar energy infrastructure that engages and inspires tribal community members of all ages to understand solar energy’s potential, while finding alternative and more accessible components to create solar systems.


Chantel Green (Nez Percé)

Chantel holds a Masters of Legal Studies, Indigenous Peoples Law from University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts, Indigenous American Indian Studies with emphasis in Environmental Justice and Associate of Science, Health, Sport, and Exercise Science degree from Haskell Indian Nations University.  Recently, served a three (3) year term, as the elected Vice-Chairwoman of the Nez Perce Tribal Council, (NPTEC).  She is now the Nez Perce Tribes Department of Natural Resources Planner. 

My goals are to establish a Net-Zero transition plan that includes a green circular, more holistic economy utilizing our sovereignty and natural resources and incorporating all entities of the tribe to meet the true needs of the environment that sustains our bodies and lives. To boost our economy to a greater outcome by developing sustainable energy, lessening our costs for the Nez Perce Tribe and looking toward mutual and cooperative agreements with other tribes, state, federal, and local organizations.

Fellowship goal(s):  To establish a Net-Zero transition plan that includes a green circular, more holistic economy utilizing our sovereignty and natural resources and incorporating all entities of the Nez Perce tribe


Daniel Wiggins Jr. (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians)

Daniel Wiggins Jr, is a Bad River Tribal Member and the Mashkiiziibii (Bad River) Natural Resource Department’s- Air Quality Technician (AQT). He has worked for the Tribe for nearly 10 years as the AQT and has had oversight of the Tribe’s renewable energy activities since 2017. He was recently tasked as the Project Lead for the “Ishkonige Nawadide Solar Microgrid Project,” which installed over 500 kW of solar and 1,000 kW hours of batteries on three tribal facilities. The Tribe’s energy projects are planned and executed on the Tribe’s ability to exercise energy sovereignty, and eventually reach the Tribe’s energy vision, “to empower and enable the community to move towards energy independence.” One of his goals is to teach the next generation (youth) of the numerous opportunities within renewable energy in Indian Country in hopes to better serve their tribal communities”.

Fellowship goal(s): To work with tribal youth ranging from middle school to college in coordination with the Bad River Tribal education department and Natural Resource Department to offer effective microgrid tours and presentations on the Tribe’s renewable energy work and goals.