Beeline Reader
The meeting will showcase the Oceti Sakowin Solve Fellows, who lead projects that advance renewable energy and food access in their communities.
The full agenda is available here.
To apply for media credentials, please email press@solve.mit.edu.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., August 6, 2018 — Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will join Oceti Sakowin community members together with MIT faculty, staff and students and Solve members to the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota for Solve at Standing Rock on August 12-13. This event will highlight the Oceti Sakowin Solve Fellows and their projects, which bring renewable energy and food accessibility to the Oceti Sakowin communities and contribute to economic prosperity and sovereignty.
“The Oceti Sakowin Solve Fellows are building innovative projects to address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities,” said Solve’s Executive Director, Alex Amouyel. “At Solve at Standing Rock, the Fellows, Oceti Sakowin community members, as well as MIT and Solve community members, will come together to celebrate and support their incredible sustainability work and impact.”
Phyllis Young is bringing energy efficiency and solar power to government-controlled buildings on Standing Rock.
Joseph McNeil is working to make power more affordable by bringing manufacturing for renewables back to the Oceti Sakowin.
Henry Red Cloud is teaching the community how to incorporate sustainable technology into housing plans, employment training, and off-grid energy strategies.
Rose Fraser is supporting food sustainability and local food entrepreneurs through community gardening courses and incentive programs.
Chance Renville is increasing access to affordable power and home ownership by installing solar panels on reservation homes.
Kimberlyn Cameron is developing a sustainable, community-designed renewable strategy.
During the meeting, attendees will come together in four interactive working groups focused on:
Food & Housing: from foraging and harvesting techniques to greenhouses and cooking workshops.
Solar & Renewables: from off-grid systems to solar installation training programs.
Community Workforce Development: best practices for intergenerational, community-based project development.
Creating & Implementing Standards: how to coordinate with tribal offices, get institutions on board, incorporate community input, and share successes with other communities.
Attendees will also visit local sites such as Rock Industries and tribal government buildings that are being assessed to go green. An Indigenous Youth Panel will discuss their drive to build a sustainable future for those who will come after them.
Partners for this year’s event represent leading innovative organizations such as shift7, MIT Media Lab OpenAg Initiative, MIT Sloan School of Management, The Aspen Institute, REI, Grand Canyon Trust, Sitting Bull College, Bush Foundation, Sustainable Native Communities Collaborative, Romero Institute, GRID Alternatives, Hewlett Foundation, and Transatomic Power.
The full event program can be found here.
Media interested in attending Solve at Standing Rock should contact Solve at press@solve.mit.edu.
About Solve:
Solve is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that advances lasting solutions from tech entrepreneurs to address the world's most pressing problems. Each year, Solve issues four Global Challenges to find the most promising Solver class to drive transformational change. Solve then deploys its global community of private, public, and nonprofit leaders to form partnerships these Solver teams need to scale their impact. This year, more than 1,100 people from 108 countries submitted solutions to Solve’s four Challenges. Join the community at solve.mit.edu.
