Klamath Falls, Oregon – Oregon Tech student Cruz Tecumseh Collin has taken a significant step forward in his quest to transform sustainable energy solutions, thanks to a newly awarded $50,000 grant. A member of the university’s Honors Program, second-year Renewable Energy Engineering student Collin will use the money to promote an ambitious project combining modern renewable technology with traditional Indigenous science.
This latest grant, which comes from Running Strong for American Indian Youth, is designed to support the development of an energy generation system that makes use of more than 99% natural materials. The project expands on a basis Collin established in 2023, when he was awarded an initial DreamStarter grant of $20,000 for early research and small-scale prototypes.
Originally from Keystone, South Dakota, Collin, who belongs to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, perceives the work as more than just an engineering accomplishment. For him, it is a chance to present Oglala Lakota science and underline the depth and importance of Indigenous knowledge in current energy issues.
“This will help to ensure that Lakota sciences—and Indigenous sciences as a whole—will be seen as a highly advanced scientific system. Through this, I hope to remind the Lakota people of who they are and that the fight to protect all life forms is not over,” Collin said.
Read also: Oregon voices unite in fight to protect disaster-prone areas from FEMA funding rollback
This next stage aims to expand the system so it can run in combination with current energy grids. Collin’s approach is rigorous: he intends to run the system year-round in South Dakota, a state known for its erratic and sometimes catastrophic weather. Measuring both the dependability and the energy production of the system under several circumstances, these field tests seek to offer useful performance data.
Read also: Wyden continues 36-county town hall tradition with new stops in Coos, Curry, and Jackson
Founded by Running Strong for American Indian Youth, the DreamStarter award program seeks to empower young American Indian leaders by enabling them to see their dreams for stronger, healthier communities. Collin’s work combines technical innovation with a feeling of cultural purpose, therefore reflecting that goal clearly.
Collin is determined to take his work beyond the lab and into the real world with this new funding—where it might not only help his own town but also support broader discussions on renewable energy’s future and sustainability. The team at Oregon Tech and supporters across Indian Country will be watching closely as the project advances, eager to see how far this unusual concept can go.
To read more about the project, visit https://indianyouth.org/dreamstarter-works-to-develop-a-sustainable-solar-panel/
