IonExSTEP Environmental Justice Seminar: Brandy Toft on Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Path to Solar

Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
October 18, 2021 - 5:30 pm CDT
- 6:30 pm
Josie Johnson Community Room 180, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Join us for the first installment of the Environmental Justice Speaker Series, co-hosted by The Institute on the Environment and The Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (CSTEP) at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Throughout the year, we will host diverse speakers as part of the STEP Seminar Series to share experiences and insights from their work around environmental justice. In this Environmental Justice Speakers Series, we hope to create a space to spark conversations and connections, and explore ideas and solutions.

Register to Attend.

Brandy Toft, Environmental Deputy Director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe,  will give an overview of Leech Lake’s path to solar, and discuss energy sovereignty and the policies and plans they are implementing to achieve sustainability through action.



This is a hybrid event. We will meet in person in the Josie Johnson Community Room 180 at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and on Zoom via the calendar link.

 

Register to Attend.

 

For those joining us in person, we will follow University of Minnesota COVID protocols, so please wear a mask and practice physical distancing as much as possible. There will be refreshments provided to take with you after the seminar.

 

About the Speaker:

Brandy serves as Leech Lake’s Environmental Deputy Director. Prior to her promotion in 2016, she served as their Air Quality Specialist, building Leech Lake’s Air Program since 2001.

 

Her position offers many opportunities, including work on sustainability projects such as: 200Kw low-income solar array, 23 solar furnace installations, $3.6 million 22-building Guaranteed Energy Savings Project, EV charger Tribal network, establishing sustainability policies, the first tribal nation to be part of Minnesota’s Green Step Tribal Nations Program, completing a wind feasibility project, a solar assessment, and climate adaptation vulnerability assessment for the Reservation.

 

Brandy is actively involved in rule/policy promulgation on local, state and federal levels, as well commenting on permits affecting the Leech Lake and Indian Country as a whole.

 

Brandy participates in a number of local, regional, and national organzations, workgroups, and boards, to advance Tribal needs and interests. In 2012, she was awarded the Virgil Masayesva Excellence Award, and in 2021, the Taimi Lynne Hoag Environmental Award, recognizing her contributions to environmental protection, policy, health, and leadership in Indian Country.

Contact Info
Questions? Contact [email protected].