Over 40k people joined us on April 15th for an Instagram Live conversation with Shailene Woodley and IEI Co-Creator Cody Two Bears.
IEI co-creator Cody Two Bears and actress Shailene Woodley are very close, which made for a warm and engaging exchange between them on Instagram Live. Shailene provided the audience of over 40,000 followers with an overview of the NO DAPL protests which brought her and thousands of others to Standing Rock in 2016, reminding all what was at stake.
Cody talked about his motivation for seeking support for the Indigenized Energy 300 kW solar array -- the largest solar array in the state of North Dakota: "I didn't want to just protest about it [opposing fossil fuels], I wanted to be about it." Shailene made an impassioned plea to her followers to support IEI and the work we're doing on Standing Rock and beyond.
Since the livestream aired, IEI has gained over two thousand new followers, and small donations are coming in from far and wide!
IEI founder, Chéri Smith, was selected to contribute to the Bloomberg Philanthropies Beyond Carbon Summit, facilitated by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). To help address the mounting climate change crisis, Michael R. Bloomberg launched Beyond Carbon, the largest-ever coordinated campaign against climate change in the United States. Beyond Carbon is working with advocates around the country to build on the leadership and climate progress underway in our states, cities, and communities to maximize the progress on climate change.
The objectives of the Summit are to: Accelerate progress towards a 100% clean energy economy by advancing work on priority Beyond Carbon goals -- retiring coal, stopping the rush to new gas, and supporting an equitable transition to clean energy; Collaboratively structure, coordinate, and plan work across Beyond Carbon grantees and other organizations; Connect participants across topic areas to share work, learn about emerging resources or initiatives, and build a network of potential collaborators.
Chéri was part of a cohort of subject matter experts who collaborated on these objectives throughout the three-day summit. AS intended, many are continuing to work together in the days following the event, including a new relationship between IEI and RMI, focused on the eLab Accelerator. The RMI eLab program brings together teams throughout North America that are working on critical projects for the clean energy transition. IEI co-founder, David Riley, is now working with RMI eLab administrators to help adapt their Accelerator program to be more conducive to supporting Native American teams.
IEI co-creator, Cody Two Bears, delivered a keynote address at the University of Vermont's Inclusive Excellence Symposium (IES). The IES supports UVM faculty, staff, and all others seeking to develop skills, knowledge, and a deeper understanding of diversity that supports excellence in teaching, service, and research.
The symposium sessions are dedicated to creating “open spaces” where all members of our community can participate in authentic dialogue, valued reflection, and expanded learning to promote inclusive excellence for all. Cody led a discussion on how renewable energy can empower native communities across the country and how aligns with belief systems and traditional customs of Native people.
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Indigenized Energy Initiative
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Berkeley, CA 94704
info@indigenized.energy
