Nine Federally Recognized Tribes: Feedback and Themes
Indigenous Tribes and Bands have been with the lands that we inhabit today throughout Oregon and the Northwest since time immemorial and continue to be a vibrant part of Oregon today: Burns Paiute Tribe; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians; Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde; Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation; Coquille Indian Tribe; Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, and The Klamath Tribes.
As the State of Oregon charts its path forward towards a clean energy transition, it must ensure that the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon — sovereign nations with deep ties to the land, water, and natural resources — are purposefully included in planning, policy and investment decisions. To build an energy future that is just, effective, and inclusive, Oregon must shift how it engages with Tribes, how it structures funding, and how it integrates traditional knowledge and long-standing values into its energy work.
State law (ORS 182.164) requires state agencies like ODOE to promote government-to-government relations with Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes, including processes to identify agency programs that affect tribes and promoting communication and positive relations between state agencies and the tribes. In addition, the state must take into consideration treaties and obligations related to ceded lands and resources.
Through the Energy Strategy engagement process, ODOE reached out to the nine federally recognized Tribes through formal government-to-government letters, staff-to-staff discussion, individual in-person or virtual meetings with Tribal leaders and staff, and presentations through the Legislative Commission on Indian Services and cluster groups. ODOE heard concerns about how existing energy systems overlook Tribal sovereignty, cultural knowledge, and priorities, as well as support for incentive programs that can help Tribal members shift to clean energy and energy efficient opportunities.
As ODOE continues government-to-government outreach and requests for consultation, where appropriate, ODOE has heard important themes. In this report, ODOE is not including any specific priorities of Tribes or a level of detail that would run counter to our government-to-government process. Rather, staff have synthesized feedback and reflected on what was heard through these conversations so it could be internalized and applied in the development of the Oregon Energy Strategy. As policymakers consider policies and actions to move Oregon forward on the five pathways in the Oregon Energy Strategy, the themes and synthesis below should be considered and incorporated into the design of programs and regulations.
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s Ántukš-Tińqapapt, or “sun trap,” solar array produces renewable energy for the Tribe.
Photo: U.S. Department of Energy
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For many Tribes, energy sovereignty, the ability to control and determine their own energy infrastructure and priorities, is essential to self-determination and long-term resilience.
Oregon should consider establishing a Tribal Energy Block Grant Program that would allow Tribes to assess their risks, identify priority investments, and develop implementation strategies tailored to their communities (See Cross-Cutting Action 3).
Legislative and agency-level program design should also include options for Tribes to directly administer funds for their members, with adequate administrative resources built into budgets (See Buildings Action 6).
Support for community-scale energy projects and microgrids would allow Tribes to maintain electricity during grid outages, reducing dependence on large utility infrastructure while increasing local control. Currently, these types of projects are funded by ratepayers and often require utility regulatory reforms and creative funding strategies to ensure that they are cost-effective and do not impose disproportionate costs on other ratepayers. State support could help broaden support for these projects, recognizing that they serve a crucial resilience function. With the passage of HB 2065 and HB 2066 in the 2025 legislative session, there is opportunity through implementation of these new laws to help make microgrids for Tribes more likely.
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Energy affordability also remains a major concern. Rising electricity, propane, natural gas, and gasoline prices are placing increasing financial stress on tribal households. At the same time, cleaner and more efficient technologies like solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles remain unaffordable for many tribal members due to high upfront costs – even though they would likely reduce long-term energy bills and improve indoor air quality.
Oregon can support more affordable energy options by working with utilities and Tribes to align investments with affordability needs, including through rate design or shared infrastructure projects.
Expanding funding for energy efficiency and weatherization programs for tribal households is also critical (see Buildings Action 1).
The State can further support Tribes by coordinating technical assistance and making it less administratively burdensome to access funding for clean energy upgrades.
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There is strong concern about lack of meaningful inclusion of Tribes in energy decision making. Tribes are often brought into conversations only after policies or projects have already been developed. This approach disregards the Tribes’ sovereign status and misses critical opportunities to incorporate cultural and ecological perspectives early in the planning process.
Oregon should continue to develop state-level processes that require engagement with Tribal representatives at the earliest stages of energy-related work, during idea generation, before decisions are finalized or public comment periods begin.
In addition, Tribes should be invited to participate directly in the state’s energy-related advisory bodies, commissions, or working groups. To support this participation, Oregon must also invest in financial and administrative support to ensure that Tribes are compensated for their time and expertise. Without this support, participation becomes another burden on already stretched tribal governments.
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One of the most persistent challenges facing tribal energy development is the instability of federal and state funding. Short-term, competitive, one-time-funded grants often require significant administrative time. This cycle creates uncertainty and hinders long-term planning.
Oregon should take steps to stabilize funding by setting aside a minimum percentage of funds for Tribes in energy incentive and grant programs, shifting from competitive awards to formula-based allocations when possible, and designing programs with multi-year funding structures. These changes would provide more predictable support and better reflect the long-term nature of energy planning in Tribal communities. The uncertainty of the federal government programs makes partnership with the state even more vital.
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The protection of cultural and natural resources remains a critical component of energy work with Tribes. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), sacred landscapes, and culturally significant sites are often left out of state energy planning and infrastructure decisions. Consultation processes are inconsistent across agencies and often do not meet Tribes’ expectations or legal requirements.
Oregon should build on the work of the Governor’s Tribal Consultation Task Force to develop standardized consultation procedures that reflect each Tribe’s unique protocols, establishes clear timelines, and protects sensitive information.
State agencies should also partner with Tribes in applying for federal and philanthropic funding that supports TEK-informed planning and implementation.
Where possible, the state should support projects that allow Tribes to co-develop or co-own energy infrastructure, in ways that both protect cultural resources and build economic opportunity. Existing efforts, such as the Department of Land Conservation and Development’s Goal 5 rulemaking, provide an example for balancing resource protection and development and could be expanded.