The Bureau of Indian Affairs awarded more than $6.5 million July 1 to 27 federally recognized tribes and seven Alaska Native corporations in 15 states, the U.S. Department of the Interior stated in a press release.  

The money is allocated toward identifying, studying, designing and/or developing projects using energy, mineral and natural resources, the release stated. The BIA hopes the funds will help Native Americans achieve economic self-sufficiency by developing and controlling their own energy production capabilities.

"Having direct access to a reliable energy source is often taken for granted in the United States, but due to their remote locations, it can be a real challenge for American Indian and Alaska Native communities to achieve that standard," Principal Deputy Assistance Secretary – Indian Affairs, Bryan T. Newland said in the release. "The BIA’s Energy and Mineral Development Program grants seek to close this gap by supporting efforts to develop tribally and Alaska Native corporation-owned energy resources to benefit tribal members and ANC shareholders while contributing to Indian Country’s economic progress." 

The grants are awarded to help eligible applicants obtain technical assistance funding to hire consultants to identify, evaluate or assess the market for energy or mineral resources that a tribe will process, use, or develop, the release stated. The BIA Office of Trust Services’ Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) aims to help tribal governments and American Indian Allottees with evaluating energy and mineral resource potential on their lands.