The 21st Century energy warrior of the Red Cloud Tiospaye

In 2018, I met Henry Red Cloud at Pine Ridge Reservation through his son, John Red Cloud. Witnessing his dedication to harnessing solar power and promoting sustainability was inspiring. Since then, I have closely observed Henry’s innovative efforts in advancing ideas, including collaborating with In Our Hands to construct dome houses, a potential game-changer in affordable housing.

In 1997, Henry Red Cloud established Red Cloud Renewable after returning from working outside the reservation, including time in New York City building skyscrapers. Driven by a deep connection to his roots on Pine Ridge, he sought not just a home but a sustainable livelihood. Feeling a profound ancestral calling, he embarked on a journey that inadvertently revitalized both himself and his community. Surveys revealed a universal desire among over 100 individuals to return to their old homesteads and connect with their heritage, reflecting the essence of the Oceti Sakowin.

Henry took the lead in obtaining the necessary approvals. After submitting complicated paperwork to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), he patiently awaited a permit while residing in a teepee on the land. Following a two-year process, he secured a two-and-a-half-acre plot. To expand his construction expertise using natural materials like straw bale, hemp, and bamboo, he trained in natural building techniques in Colorado. Through partnerships with figures such as Pat Spears from the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and non-Native collaborator Bob Goff, he spearheaded wind energy initiatives and introduced the inaugural wind turbine to the Rosebud Reservation.

Henry embraced learning opportunities by attending conferences and volunteering, immersing himself in emerging green technology options in America. At a conference in Boulder, Colorado, he discovered the distinctions between wind and solar power, realizing the potential of rooftop solar panels on sustainable homes.

This concept crystallized his vision. In 1997, crucial partnerships were established with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Solar Energy International, which endure to this day. NREL’s nationwide research plays a pivotal role in industry progress, while Solar Energy International has trained a significant portion of solar technicians in the U.S. The advantages of solar over wind became evident, given South Dakota’s abundant sunlight. Henry emphasizes the importance of partnerships in problem-solving, highlighting the efficiency of leveraging existing solutions.

In 2002, Henry forged a lasting partnership with Trees Water People and their director, Richard Fox. They initiated the installation of heaters on Pine Ridge, starting with batches of 200. Henry displayed a hands-on approach by dissecting a malfunctioning unit to understand its construction for potential local manufacturing. Subsequent funding enabled the outfitting of an additional 200 homes, marking the inception of Red Cloud Renewable. Richard Fox has continued as a steadfast collaborator ever since.

Henry’s pursuit of knowledge led him to travel extensively, attending conferences, workshops, and volunteering on job sites to broaden his understanding of electricity in its various forms. With Barack Obama’s presidency in 2009 came a heightened focus on clean energy for America.

Witnessing this shift, Henry collaborated with other tribes to establish an employment training program aimed at addressing the staggering 80% unemployment rate on Pine Ridge. His efforts led to an audience with President Obama at the White House, mirroring his great-great-grandfather’s historic meeting with President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870.

Three guys in a truck expanded their work to assist Indigenous tribes nationwide, training and employing 500 individuals. By 2008, Red Cloud Renewable transformed into the inaugural Native-owned and -operated training center in the U.S., maintaining its status as the sole Native-led institution nationwide. In 2012, Henry received an accolade from the White House as the Champion of Change for Solar Deployment, culminating in a lunch meeting with President Obama to exchange insights on solar energy.

In 2017, Henry and Red Cloud Renewable achieved 501c3 status from the Tribe. This milestone enabled the organization to provide scholarships for solar training programs. The upcoming training, starting on June 3, 2024, includes a two-week course on solar power, followed by mentorship and potential employment opportunities in August. Red Cloud Renewable has trained over 1,500 tribal members since 1997, with a focus on female participation. Notably, current Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out backs Henry Red Cloud and the organization’s initiatives.

Red Cloud Renewable teaches teaching solar water, grid tie, battery based systems, stand-alone systems, water pumping with an upcoming workshop on water purification and moisture extraction. Through a comprehensive program, students engage in 40 hours of classroom learning and 40 hours of hands-on installation, led by certified Native American instructors who have completed the Red Cloud Renewable training program.

Henry envisions Red Cloud Renewable expanding its technical support to tribes with intensified training in the next five years. With increased funding, his vision of “Solar for All” will become a reality as millions of dollars circulate through reservations, making solar energy accessible to all and empowering tribal members to engage in sustainable work within their communities.

Red Cloud Renewable offers weatherization for Indigenous homes, installing solar rooftops that halve kilowatt usage. Trained local technicians, started in March 2023, now set up electrical systems through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with the Oglala Sioux Tribe LIEAP Program. These endeavors enhance living conditions on Pine Ridge, fostering savings and improved well-being for residents.

Red Cloud Renewable, in collaboration with In Our Hands, has developed dome houses for affordable and energy-efficient living in South Dakota. Aaron Resnick and Jason Mackie created a design using cellular concrete inflatable technology for insulation and durability. Testing various sizes, they settled on structures up to 18 ft, focusing on warmth retention. This innovative approach, now being shared by Aaron Resnick at Red Cloud Renewable, aims to revolutionize sustainable housing and community living. These dome houses can be interconnected to represent the tiospaye system. Explore more about Aaron and Jason at www.inourhands.love.

In 2023, In Our Hands President Jason Mackie joined Red Cloud Renewable for a tree-planting initiative on the Pine Ridge Reservation, where over 300,000 trees were planted. These trees need three years to take root and grow, absorbing harmful carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

As a gesture of solidarity with imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier, 48,000 trees were planted in 2023. Leonard Peltier, unjustly incarcerated, requested supporters to plant a tree for his freedom, prompting Red Cloud Renewable to plant 1,000 trees for each year he has been imprisoned. As Leonard’s parole hearing approaches on June 10, 2024, let’s keep in mind. Leonard’s health is declining, including vision loss. As he approaches his 80th birthday in September, he deserves to spend whatever time he has left with his loved ones at home.

Gloria Red Cloud, a significant figure, met her husband Henry in 2010. As they built Red Cloud Renewable, they resided in various homes, including the original straw bale house that remains on the property. Transitioning to a trailer due to cramped living conditions, Gloria played a pivotal role as they lacked running water, with her carrying water containers to their residence. Together, they had fun with the precursor to Red Cloud Renewable, Lakota Solar Enterprise, by engaging with the community through activities like distributing vegetables. Throughout, Gloria has stood beside Henry, contributing her skills and dedication to the success of Red Cloud Renewable and the well-being of the Lakota people.

On September 20, 2020, under a clear blue sky at Bear Butte, Henry Red Cloud was made a chief. It was an extraordinary day that this writer will never forget. It was a joy to be able to share this milestone with Henry and Gloria and their family and friends. September 20th marks the anniversary of Chief Red Cloud or Mahpiya-Luta’s birth in 1822.

Chief Henry Red Cloud is a 21st Century Warrior. He is bringing home the technology and resources for the betterment of his people and the planet. He is creating jobs, healthy homes and a sense of Mitakuye Oyasin, we are all related, to his community. Both his father and older brother were war bonnet wearers charged with bringing the resources back to the people. 

The matriarchal society of the Red Cloud Tiospaye including Lula Mae Red Cloud-Burk saw that Henry was quiet, humble and doing important work out in the community and voted that Henry would be the next chief. The induction ceremony was organized, the people were fed and a beautiful giveaway of gifts was held at Bear Butte. Direct descendants of leaders such as Crow Dog, Flys Bye, Fools Crow, Spotted Tail and other were there to take part in the ceremony representing past ancestors and future generations. One could feel the solemn passing of the mantle from generation to generation that day.  It was a day of remembrance and of sowing the seeds for future generations.

I would like to add that the feather bonnet of Mahpiya-Luta was brought back to Pine Ridge the summer of 2020. 131 artifacts from the Wounded Knee Massacre were brought back as well as 12 artifacts from Edinburgh, Scotland in 2022. The power and strength of the ancestors can be felt in the Black Hills as energies and artifacts begin to return to their rightful place.

For more information on the work of Henry Red Cloud and Red Cloud Renewable, please visit www.redcloudrenewable.org.

(Contact Mia Feroleto at mia.feroleto@gmail.com)

 

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