A/HRC/36/46/Add.1 VI. Best practice A. Self-determined energy development projects 75. Notwithstanding legislation curtailing self-determined development by Indian tribes, a number of companies, owned and operated by indigenous peoples have thrived and continue to thrive in the current environment. 76. Indigenous communities want more control over their energy resources as a part of their overall desire for self-determination. The tribes rely on income generated from natural resources not only to support critical government programmes, but also to reconcile the protection of their lands, waters and sacred places with the benefit of revenue and jobs. To that end, tribes are committed to balancing different sets of concerns through their own approaches to energy development, including renewable energy resource development as a viable alternative to extractive industry development. 77. The Picuris Pueblo, a federally recognized tribe in New Mexico has engaged in a collaborative venture with intertribal authorities and the federal Government to build a onemegawatt solar panel. Under the auspices of the Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy, teams of technical experts provided customized legal, financial and technical support, working directly with the tribal team and ensuring respect for tribal sovereignty while building the capacity of tribal members. The solar project will make the Picuris Pueblo the first 100-per-cent-solar-powered tribe in the United States and will save them almost $6.5 million over the 25-year lifespan of the project. 78. Similarly, the Oceti Sakowin Power Authority is a cooperative venture of seven Sioux tribes in the Great Plains, comprising the Cheyenne River, Crow Creek, Flandreau Santee, Oglala, Rosebud, Standing Rock and Yankton tribes, which will produce up to 2 gigawatts of electricity generated by wind power. It will be one of the largest wind power developments in the country. The tribes battle extreme poverty and many of them face 80 per cent or higher unemployment rates on their reservations. They aim not only to increase access to electricity and funding for infrastructure projects, but to create job opportunities and assist in community development. 79. The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation formed Missouri River Resources, a wholly-owned tribal company that generates economic benefits for the tribal community through responsible oil development. Missouri River Resources employs tribal members and industry experts, with the majority of its employees from the Fort Berthold Reservation. This is one example of an indigenous company operating within reservation lands and employing members of its own tribe, which is less likely to engage in unlawful disposal of energy by-products in close proximity to homes in order reduce driving time and fuel costs to reach remote areas. 80. Since 1992, the Red Willow Production Company, a $2-billion company owned and managed by the Southern Ute Tribe, has been generating revenue through oil and gas development on their reservation for the benefit of tribal members. Utilizing changes in the domestic oil and gas law, in 1995, Red Willow took over the operation of 54 wells on tribal land that were previously operated by non-indigenous companies. B. Education 81. Indian tribes are committed to maintaining and improving healthy and vibrant indigenous communities in line with their sacred duty to protect their children. Successful and self-determined economic development can be a key driver to achieving those goals. The Special Rapporteur visited Sitting Bull Tribal College on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, North Dakota, two of many tribal colleges that have partnered with state and federal stakeholders to create spaces not only for academic excellence and learning, but for cultural revitalization. Students at Sitting Bull College testified that the unique and supportive space provided by the college community allowed them to explore their indigenous identity as a foundation for their 16