Sioux Tribe Builds Wind Farm, Names it “Breaking of the New Day”

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is developing a wind farm on its reservation in the Dakotas in the USA. They have named it Anpetu Wi – “the breaking of the new day” – in the Lakota language. It is the first tribal-owned public power wind farm.

“We are proud to achieve another milestone in our quest to create a model for self-determination and economic development not only for our people but for all Native communities,” says Joseph McNeil Jr., General Manager of Strategic, Advancement, Goals, and the Environment, and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. “For our people and me, this project is a prayer. It allows us something to leave behind for future generations of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and reflects our cultural values by prioritizing people, land, and nature over profit.”

Strongly opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline since its inception in 2014, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is raising funds to collect the $325 million dollars needed to get the wind farm up and running. The farm will generate 235 megawatts of power. In addition to offering renewable energy to the tribe and the community, the project will provide employment and skills training on the Reservation which is in great need of economic development.