Native American group puts values into practice with wind power

Putting its respect-for-earth values into practice, TWN Wind Power, a Tsleil-Waututh Nation company, recently completed two distributed wind installations at White Earth Nation, located in northwest Minnesota.

The two sites, Ojibwa Building Supplies in Waubun and White Earth Community Service Center in Naytahwaush, are now both benefiting from wind energy. The White Earth Nation is Minnesota’s largest and most populous reservation, encompassing over 1,300 square miles. It serves as the homeland for over 20,000 band members. Situated in the northwest region of Minnesota, the land is the transition between the Red River Valley to the west and the lake and pine region to the east.

Upon completion of the installations, White Earth Nation Chairwoman Erma J. Vizenor plainly explained the significance of the projects and the motivation that drove their development and build-out. “We, as Native American people, continue to strive to be stewards of the earth, and White Earth is proud to have completed this project in partnership with TWN Wind Power, a Tsleil-Waututh Nation company,” she said.

Each site consists of an Endurance Wind Power 3120 small wind turbine featuring a 43-meter tower. While there are hundreds of installations of 3120-series wind turbines in North America, these are the first installations at a tribal community in the U.S., according to TWN Wind Power.

“Nation-to-Nation business success in Indian country is what we are striving for, all the while helping communities achieve their energy goals,” said Marc Soulliere, president and CEO of TWN Wind Power. “It has been a wonderful journey and an honor working with White Earth Nation.”

As a First Nations company, TWN Wind Power offers Aboriginal communities throughout North America an opportunity to generate clean energy through small wind power, in addition to providing other energy-related services. They are guided by a deep responsibility to honor and care for natural resources.