Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
As of 2014, twenty-five communities are enrolled in the Circuit Rider program.
This program provides opportunities for capacity-building within tribes to be
competitive for EPA-funded grants and to maintain funding. This service is an
example of YRITWC's commitment to working with external agencies to meet
shared goals. They are cognizant of the need to generate external funds (and to be
successful, you need to work within the framework of the funding agencies). The
trick is to be able to “walk between worlds” without losing sight of the core,
guiding values of the community. The Boundary Bay example, discussed in
Chapter 5,
explores the issues associated with the politics of calculation and
working in a “foreign defined network”. This framework can be seen as a
neocolonial framework, in which those that hold power (in this case, funding)
define the framework. However, as the pages in this text reveal, every situation
needs to be assessed and recalibrated to fit what is best for the community. In the
YRITWC's case, the mission is operationalized through a suite of approaches,
which bring in outside help, yet maintain a firm goal of maintaining control over
the process. Scale is an important factor in this approach as well. YRITWC is an
example of a large-scale watershed, which is designed to operate with external
funds. What this means is that an element of control will likely be lost in the process.
However, it does mean that larger-scale projects will be possible. The YRITWC
has taken the position that, with others, more is possible, and the guiding principles
will be reinforced through the biennial Summits and also through ongoing
communication between tribes and bands.
The projects under the Energy Department also reflect this philosophy of
collaboration with partner organizations. The department hosts Solar Energy
Training for tribes. The vision of the Energy Department articulates the need for
technological advancement and training to meet a goal of sustainability, which
they describe thus:
We see a future where not only the electricity but also the heating and
transportation needs of the Yukon watershed are met by harnessing the natural
energy of the area, namely the water, wind, sun, geothermal, and biomass.
They accomplish this through a five-step process:
•
Promote and implement energy efficiency and conservation measures to
reduce waste.
•
Explore alternative energy options throughout the watershed to identify the
best “fit” between available resources, location, community, environment, and
economic and technical feasibility.
•
Educate and train Tribal staff to work on energy issues in watershed
communities, aiming to save people money, reduce pollution, and spread
energy awareness.
•
Develop partnerships with Tribal communities and energy professionals to meet
local needs.
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