LEECH LAKE GREEN TEAMBrandy Toft

Air Quality Specialist

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

National Tribal Forum June 2009

Green Team• Concept based on a group of individuals

to work together to:– Become more sustainable– Save energy– Save resources– Save $$$

• Composed of Leech Lake employees– Combine resources and ideas– Educate– Combined/cohesive approach

Green Team Meetings

• Meet at minimum once a month• Meet to:

– Brainstorm for ideas/projects– Compose draft policies– Set forth goals

• However need one or more individuals to coordinate…can be challenging to keep all engaged

In Front of Tribal Council

• Presented Team idea to Tribal Council– Initial meeting was one of convincing,

education and information• Second meeting

– presented potential policies• Third meeting

– presented resolutions• Fourth meeting (with Executive Director)

– approved energywise challenge

Key Players of the Team

• Purchasing• Economic Division

and Planning • Health Division• MIS

(Computers/Tech)• Property

• Tribal School K-12• Child Welfare• Solid Waste• Air Program• Facilities

Management• Tribal Council

Purpose

Mission Statement draft

“Practicing conservation, recycling and ecologically respectful business to sustain Leech Lake’s land and resources for generations to come.”

Statement of Purpose draft

Strive to reduce usage and conserve both resources and energy for the betterment of today and our future generations. This effort will have resource and economic benefits.

Authority

• Set up as an Advisory Committee to

Tribal Council

• Provide updates to the Tribal Council

• Ask for approval on actions, asking for “teeth”

• Told “we have the ear of the Council”

Accomplishments

• Education– Earth Day– Health Fair

• Planning/ideas for the future• Organization of Team and awareness• Resolutions

– Styrofoam free by 2010– Electronic notification of Delegation

 LEECH LAKE RESERVATION TRIBAL COUNCIL

STYROFOAM FREE POLICY

 

WHEREAS, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe have made

a commitment to “green and sustainable”;

 

WHEREAS, one of the most persistent problems for recycling and disposal is the pervasive use of Styrofoam based materials such as cups, plates, food trays, etc.;

 

WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Reservation Tribal Council that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe shall be Styrofoam-free by October 1, 2010;

 

WHEREAS, it is important to the culture and well-being of tribal members that we manage our resources and limit the use of single use products to decrease our tonnage fees and the environmental costs beyond the landfill.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is the direction of the Reservation Tribal Council that all Divisions, Departments and Programs of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will undertake all possible efforts to reduce and/or eliminate the use of Styrofoam based materials within the work place or program areas/activities and replace them with items made for permanent use or can be recycled when disposed of.

LEECH LAKE RESERVATION TRIBAL COUNCILNOTIFICATION OF DELEGATION MEMO POLICY

WHEREAS, the Leech Lake Reservation Tribal Council, through its advisory council the Green Team, is responsible forsustainability, reduction of wasteful activities, and “green” alternatives to current operations within the Leech Lake government; and

 WHEREAS, it has been past policy that when a staff person is designating their

signature authority to another staff person that notification of this action will be sent throughout the entire Band government division structure; and

 WHEREAS, it is important to the culture and well-being of Leech Lake Tribal

Members that we manage our resources and reduce waste; and WHEREAS, the Reservation Tribal Council recognizes that this practice is inefficient

and extremely wasteful since hundreds of sheets of paper are required for this practice;

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that it is the direction of the Reservation

Tribal Council that notification of transfer of signing authority need only be e-mailed to the following staff: Executive Director, Deputy Director, Accounting, Purchasing and an appropriate person within the staff’s office who can refer inquiries of the appropriate contact person.

Energy Wise Challenge

• Challenge of two government buildings• Based off of June 2008• Use Green Team as coaches/educators• Building with the largest percentage

saved wins FOOD!• Turn OFF!

– Computers and all accessories, turn down AC, close windows with AC on, xerox, turn off lights…

• Could save thousands of $$$$$$$

Reminder Magnet/Flyer

What needs to be done?

• Hire a Coordinator– Hire of a part-time “green” grant writer– Act as a central coordinator with the Green

Team as the steering committee

• Find funding to implement projects• Research other opportunities and

partnerships

What needs to be done?

• EDUCATION!!!

• Expand energy savings project

• Further implement recycling program

• Much, Much more…

What can you do?

• Start your own Green Team• Gather many different characters• Start small, tackle little things first• Come up with a overall mission

statement/purpose statement• Brainstorm, share ideas• As difficult as it is, follow through with

commitments!

Brandy Toft

Air Quality Specialist

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

218-335-7429

air@lldrm.org

www.lldrm.org