HOLLYWOOD – The Seminole Tribe’s fifth “Renewable Energy and Sustainability Conference” is scheduled to take place Feb. 7 to Feb. 9, 2023, at the Native Learning Center in Hollywood.

Last year’s conference took place in a virtual format only due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year organizers will host an in-person conference with a virtual option.

“We are happy to welcome back Lizana Pierce and Thomas Jones with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs to open the conference,” NLC executive director Georgette Palmer Smith (Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma/Choctaw), said.

Pierce is a deployment supervisor and Jones (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) is a deployment specialist in their department. 

The annual conference focuses on the changing landscapes for tribal energy development and sustainability. It gives attendees a chance to explore a range of renewable energy and sustainability opportunities that are available for their respective communities.

In addition to keynote speakers, there are presentations from members of Native American tribes and First Nations, as well as those representing tribal organizations and private industry.

The conference attracts attendees from across Indian Country – whether tribal members or those working for tribes – who share up-to-date information and best practices on sustainability, energy security and energy sovereignty issues.

The conference dovetails with the 50th annual Seminole Tribal Fair & Pow Wow, which was cancelled last year. This year the Pow Wow is scheduled to take place Feb. 10 to Feb. 12, 2023, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. There is no cost to attend the conference. To register, click here. The NLC is located at 6363 Taft Street in Hollywood. It is supported by an Indian Housing Block Grant, which is awarded by the Office of Native American Programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More information is at nativelearningcenter.com.