Solar power on Tribal Lands brings electrification for the first time and possibly a new industry [Video]

Camille Keith’s family home, the first home to be wired for electricity in the spring of 2023.Photos: Robert Marcos

Refrigeration is essential to storing perishable foods such as vegetables and protein, Keith said. Without that, she said, families are forced to eat more processed foods than they would otherwise.

“Obesity and diabetes are serious health problems among my people. We face big health disparities,” Keith said. “Our options are so limited. Fresh food is essential to good health and nutrition, and our project makes that possible.”

And, this year, an anonymous donor supporting the Village Aid Project provided each of the four recipient homes with a refrigerator to ensure that access to electricity would be accompanied by access to refrigeration.

The weather in the high desert as the students installed the systems treated them well, unlike last year when they faced weather from all seasons in a week.

Bryan Kee, 55, stands …