About MTERA
Our Story
2025 MTERA Annual Report
Adapting Our Path, Advancing Our Mission
Discover the highlights and impact of our annual report, which showcases MTERA’s work empowering Tribes across the Midwest to achieve energy sovereignty and sustainability. This report details our collective response to a rapidly changing energy landscape, the launch of energy programs like the Indoor Air Quality initiative, and our ongoing support for climate action, workforce development, and Tribal-led policy advocacy.
With stories of collaboration, data on direct Tribal impact, and reflections from our annual Summit, this report offers a comprehensive look at how MTERA advances its mission of Tribal self-determination and clean energy leadership. Read on to learn how your support and participation helped advance energy sovereignty for Tribal Communities throughout the Midwest. (Please select the full-screen view in the bottom right corner, for the best reading experience!)
MTERA’S Mission
To empower Tribes to manage Tribal energy resources through collective action.
Energy has a significant impact to Tribes across the country. It affects land, water, economic development, and the budgets of tribal businesses and members. Typically, energy decisions affecting Tribal lands are shaped largely by federal policy, state regulations, and utility investments. These decisions are often not aligned with Tribal interests.
In an effort to address these growing issues, MTERA formed in 2014. Initially the organization started as an informal group of five Midwest Tribes passionate about energy. Without any initial funding, the founding Member-Tribes established the entity, defined the initial governance structure, approved the organizational bylaws, and identified opportunities to support Midwest Tribes.
Since 2014, MTERA has made significant progress establishing itself as a valuable resource for Tribes across the Midwest who are looking to understand and act on the energy challenges and opportunities unique to their Tribal circumstances.
MTERA is governed by Tribal Representatives. Each of our Member Tribes has a signed resolution approved by its Tribal Council. Each member’s Tribal Council appoints a Tribal Representative to serve on the Board of Directors for MTERA. Our board defines the organization’s strategy and direction and ensures that the strategy aligns with the energy values and objectives of our Member Tribes.
Our Approach
MTERA serves as a bridge that brings Tribes together to ensure that Tribal priorities shape energy decisions that affect Tribal land, water, air, peoples, and economies. We honor the seven generations’ teachings that guide Tribal Nations, recognizing that today’s decisions must benefit those living seven generations into the future. Native communities have long understood the importance of living respectfully with the earth, and this wisdom forms the foundation of our approach to energy development.
We deeply respect the sovereignty and unique cultural heritage of each Tribe we serve. No two Tribal Nations are the same, and energy solutions must reflect each community’s distinct values, needs, and traditions.
Services to Member Tribes
Access The MTERA Info Hub
MTERA’s “Info Hub” is a comprehensive clearinghouse of Tribal energy planning and development resources. Our organization empowers the energy champions of each Member Tribe by providing them with the following Tribal energy resources:
- MTERA Program Information
- Quarterly Newsletters
- Board Meeting Details
- Reports, presentations, training materials, and planning tools
- More resources are being added as we learn about the unique needs of the Tribes we serve
Engage With The MTERA Tribal Energy Network
Tribes don’t have to reinvent the wheel with every new energy project. One of the best ways to save time, money, and headaches while planning energy projects is to talk to Tribal representatives who have successfully completed similar projects. MTERA brings these experts together.
Collective Action Projects
Plan and Form A
Tribal Energy Agency
MTERA is working with industry experts to identify opportunities for Tribes to join forces to capture the value of economies of scale across propane, natural gas, and electricity markets.
Monitor & Reshape
Tribal Energy Policy
Energy policy has a lasting effect on Tribal businesses, members, and natural resources. Policy is currently shaped largely by federal, state, and utility decisions.
Under this paradigm, Tribal sovereignty, culture, and values are often not integral to energy policy development. MTERA helps Member Tribes shift the paradigm by monitoring and shaping energy policy that impacts Tribes.
Host Conferences
and Workshops
MTERA hosts an annual conference and several workshops to provide opportunities for Tribal energy networking and energy capacity building.