Tanksi M. Clairmont
Managing Director, Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
Tanksi is an enrolled tribal member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota) from Sisseton, SD, and a member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate from Rosebud, S.D. She was born and raised in Denver, CO where she attended K-12 Public schools, and earned a B.A. degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver. A few years later, she relocated to Minneapolis, MN where she earned a Master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She is deeply rooted in Lakota/Dakota culture through ceremony, language, and social dancing (pow-wow). Tanksi enjoys exercising, sewing and beading traditional regalia, reading, traveling, and best of all being a mother.
Tanksi brings her experience in grant administration, coordination, research and evaluation from the National Conference of State Legislatures and prior to that, from the American Indian College Fund. She has worked extensively in Indian Country on energy policy and advocating tribal issues on energy, higher education in tribal communities, and in her spare time research and data collection on Native American collegiate athletes. Her personal and professional goals are focused on improvement, advancement and capacity building across Indian Country, specifically to help address the unique economic, social and environmental needs while developing, strengthening and enhancing relationships with tribal constituents, government relations, funders and industry stakeholders.
Throughout the year, you will find Tanksi and her family doing cultural presentations at schools, colleges, organizations, and events to generate awareness and understanding of issues facing Indian Country.
Christian Weaver
Program Director, Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
Christian Weaver (Shinnecock Nation) serves as the Program Director for GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund. Christian is passionate about lifting communities and has dedicated his career to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Prior to joining GRID, Christian served as Associate Vice President of Major and Institutional Giving at the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Vice President of Development for the National Congress of American Indians, Director of Organizational Development for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Manager of Major Gifts at the American Indian College Fund.
Christian currently sits on the board of Big City Mountaineers and has served on the board of Native American’s in Philanthropy, the Denver Facilities and Energy Efficiency Board, Drawchange and is a current Tribal Delegate within the National Congress of American Indians for his Tribal Nation, Shinnecock. Christian holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Valdosta State University, and a Masters of Indigenous Law from the University of Oklahoma. He was also named to the 2017 class of “Native American 40 under 40” award recipients by the National Center of American Indian Enterprise Development and was selected into the 2021 cohort of Google’s Next Gen Policy Leaders.
Christian is a soccer player, artist, and dad joke teller.
Angelica Wright
Leadership Programs Officer, Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
Angelica is a Citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She was raised in Tucson Arizona, and later moved to Denver, Colorado. Angelica is the Leadership Programs Officer for the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund.
Prior to coming to TSAF, Angelica worked in college and university settings assisting Native students navigate higher education and professional and career opportunities. Angelica has supported Native college students and youth to access their education and career goals through academic advising, professional skill development, and cultural support. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Colorado State University. With a passion for education and learning opportunities she will be working to advance TSAF initiatives in supporting scholars, interns, and fellows in their education and leadership within tribal solar work.
When she is not engaging with energy scholars and leaders, Angelica can be found in the gym, cooking, traveling, tending to the garden, and connecting with youth.
John W. Teller
Communications Officer, Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund
John is a Menominee/Oneida from Wisconsin and serves as the Communications Officer for TSAF. John has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Science and a Master’s degree in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. John is a United States Marine Corps veteran and is actively involved in the Native American community. John brings a wealth of experience in the media and public relations industry. As a small business owner, John owned and operated his own media company and produced traditional Native powwow music before coming to TSAF. John has also worked progressively in the education field as well as the Information and Technology markets. John is a former voting member of the Grammy Foundation and is a “40 Under 40” award recipient from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development.
John enjoys playing golf and being outdoors and is an advocate for Native tribal issues, positive role modeling for youth, and works with veterans and their families through support and advocacy.