Yurok Tribe Approves Solar Initiative to Support Elders
- The Yurok Tribe
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Program Aims to Reduce Economic Strain on Tribal Elders
Today, the Yurok Tribal Council voted to establish a new program to install solar panels on tribal elders’ homes.
The Elder Solar Program will be open to all Tribal elders, regardless of where they live.
“This project is near and dear to my heart. We started this program to help ease the financial burden on our beloved elders,” said Joseph L. James, who worked on the program’s development for a full year. “By investing in solar for our elders, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Tribal community.”
“Providing reliable, clean energy to our elders is a powerful step toward energy sovereignty,” added Vice Chair Rose Sylvia.
Currently, the Tribe has funding to install solar panel systems on several elders’ homes. Supported by TERO fees, the program supplies solar panels, batteries, and other essential equipment.
Participants in the solar program will be selected from four groups, with priority given to the eldest individuals. The groups include: age 90 and above, 80 and above, 70 and above and 60 and above. The Tribe plans to conduct outreach to tribal elder once the program is operational, with implementation scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026.
Tribal staff are pursuing funds to serve more elders. Those who do not receive solar panels right away will be added to a waitlist.
In the US, residential electric bills have increased by approximately 30 percent over last decade, due to aging infrastructure, increased demand and natural gas prices, according to the US Energy Information Administration. In California, residential electricity rates have jumped significantly due to wildfire-related disruptions, degradation of legacy grid infrastructure, and a range of systemic challenges affecting energy distribution and reliability.
For tribal elders living on a fixed income in places with cold winter climates, like the Yurok Reservation, this means making a choice between turning on their heaters and buying food.
“This is not acceptable,” said Chairman James. “The solar program will enable our elders to save a significant amount of money each month by not paying exorbitant electrical bills.”
The Tribe is building its capacity to install solar systems. Last summer, the Yurok Planning and Community Development Department led an initiative to install solar panels on 21 houses between Weitchpec and Wautec. The department is administering the Elder Solar Program too.
In Yurok culture, elders are deeply respected for their role in preserving the Tribe’s traditions, language, and ceremonies. They are also responsible for transmitting oral histories and spiritual knowledge to younger generations. Their wisdom and lived experiences are essential to the Tribe’s prosperity.
This December, the Tribe will distribute a first-ever quarterly stipend to tribal elders living on and off the reservation. The Tribal Council allocated $1,000,000 for the payments to tribal elders. The dollar amount is based on age, including:
60 to 79 years old: $200
80 to 89 years old: $300
90 and over: $400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Yurok Tribe - Matt Mais
(707) 954-0976