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Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development

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Borrower Success Story: Ubetcha Wateca

"Growing our own food has allowed us to provide healthier choices." --Shari Ducheneaux, founder and owner

Snapshot

Food Line

2015 Insured Loan
Business: Ubetcha Wateca Family Restaurant
Lender: Four Bands Community Fund Inc.
Borrower: Shari Ducheneaux
Amount Financed: $40,780
Location: Eagle Butte, SD
Tribal Area: Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation

About

Ubetcha Wateca is a true grass-roots success story. Shari Ducheneaux and her partner Beau Kingfisher first began serving their home-cooked fare in 2015 from a food truck on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. The business was a huge success. Demand for the taste of Ubetcha Wateca was so great that the business soon ran out of space in the truck for food preparation, storage, and cooking.

Ducheneaux turned to Four Bands Community Fund Inc., a Native Community Development Financial Institution located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. With help from the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP), Four Bands approved a loan. With the loan, Ducheneaux was able to secure a 1000-square-foot restaurant space at the Four Bands Community Fund business incubator. Ubetcha Wateca moved out of the food truck and into a large kitchen and eight-table dining area with seating for 20 people.

Eagle Butte does offer chain restaurants nearby, but there are few other options for a fresh and home-style prepared meal. Ducheneaux runs an environmentally friendly restaurant, using compostable and biodegradable boxes and giving away excess produce. The bulk of the restaurant's produce is grown nearby; meat is sourced from a local, Native-owned business. "Growing our own food has allowed us to provide healthier choices," Ducheneaux enthuses. "I've always wanted to be a cook. I learned by watching my mother and grandma cook for family gatherings all my life."

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

Past Funded EMDP Grant Projects

We use a competitive review system with well-defined criteria to select the most qualified projects for funding. Awards are based on the individual merit of the proposal, but we also aim to provide funding to a diverse range of Tribes living in various areas.

We consistently receive more proposals than can be funded by our annual budget, which is determined by Congress and varies on a year-to-year basis.

Funded in 2022

FY 2022, we gave over $10.2 million to Tribes for energy and mineral projects.
ReservationStateAmountPurpose
Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux TribesMontana$1,000,000  
Fort Independence Indian CommunityCalifornia$485,757  
Nambe PuebloNew Mexico$159,000  
Bay Mills Indian Community (2)Michigan$149,170 
Iipay Nation of Santa YsabeCalifornia$125,000 
Eklutna, IncAlaska$315,155 
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (2)North Dakota$200,000 
Fort Independence Community of the Paiute IndiansCalifornia$175,000  
Fort Mojave Indian Tribe of Arizona, California and NevadaArizona$169,000 
Mentasta Traditional CouncilAlaska$110,000  
Wind River Inter-Tribal Council (4)Wyoming$1,125,000 
Morongo Band of Mission Indians (1)California$46,625 
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (2)Alaska$1,024,562 
Modoc Nation (1)Oklahoma$91,000 
Coushatta Tribe of LouisianaLouisiana$145,000  
Reno-Sparks Indian ColonyNevada$175,000 
Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (1)Alaska$320,950 
Nunakauiak Yupik CorporationAlaska$1,286,000 
The Kuskokwim CorporationAlaska$323,000 
Crow Creek Sioux TribeSouth Dakota$172,000 
Colorado River Indian TribesArizona$177,000 
Bristol Bay Native Corporation (1)Alaska$273,068 
Bay Mills Indian Community (1)Michigan$174,755 
Spirit Lake TribeNorth Dakota$140,000 
Osage Nation (4) - Scope of Work under review prior to awardOklahoma$100,000 
Wind River Inter-Tribal Council (5)Wyoming$350,000 
White Earth Band of Chippewa IndiansMinnesota$120,000 
Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians (2)Oklahoma$120,000 
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (1)Michigan$189,000 
Hoopa Valley Public Utilities DistrictCalifornia$315,980 
Ute Indian TribeUtah$506,000 
Sicangu Wicoti Awayankape CorpSouth Dakota$148,200 

Prior Funded Years

FY 2019, we gave over $5.3 million to Tribes for energy and mineral projects.
ReservationStateAmountPurpose
Chemehuevi California $295,868 Analyze and follow up on findings from the previous assessment project to determine potential deposits of minerals
Coushatta Louisiana $141,226 Study existing energy resources and associated projects available, specifically natural gas technologies and processes
Fond du Lac Minnesota $98,000 Design, evaluate and develop specifications for a microgrid
Fort Apache Arizona $45,155 Identify and develop sources for sand and gravel to meet future needs
Fort Peck Montana $1,158,000 Identify profitable low-risk and high-reward opportunities for oil and gas drilling 
Hoopa Valley California $152,575 Complete an investment-grade feasibility analysis for a biomass/biogas, 15-megawatt power plant
Laguna Pueblo New Mexico $100,000 Complete an assessment/preliminary engineering report to determine the current capability for solar photovoltaic power for various Tribal-owned sites
Lake Traverse South Dakota $65,940 Determine the potential for the profitable sale of tribal resources 
Mescalero New Mexico $295,557 Delineate, map, sample and test multiple aggregate resource sites
Nambe Pueblo New Mexico $81,625 Explore a solar energy project potentially reducing dependence upon costly, fossil-fuel-reliant grid connectivity
Northern Cheyenne Montana $198,135 Evaluate the potential for a distributed network of residential and community solar rooftop installations and conduct a feasibility analysis for the development of wind generation 
Osage Oklahoma $193,620 Estimate the amount of recoverable oil using enhanced oil recovery 
Pine Ridge South Dakota $145,750 Explore additional aggregate resources
Pueblo of Santo Domingo New Mexico $219,608 Qualify and quantify non-swelling clay deposits with a comprehensive field mapping and sampling program, and determine the feasibility and profitability of the sale of mineral resources
Pueblo of Zia New Mexico $370,952 Expand the testing and validation of soils and provide data to evaluate the quality and quantity of existing mineral deposits 
Rocky Boy's Montana $121,635 Analyze aggregate deposits with a comprehensive field mapping and sampling program 
Sac and Fox, Oklahoma Oklahoma $89,000 Explore a comprehensive Tribal microgrid solution that would help during critical outages in addition to reducing overall electric costs 
Southern Ute Colorado $140,000 Study the financial feasibility and identify options for using solar resources for renewable energy
Stewarts Point Rancheria California $50,500 Assess potential biomass energy resources market opportunities for biomass, and the potential to use biomass as fuel for a new power plant
Tunica -Biloxi Louisiana $306,460 Evaluate solid and fluid minerals with feasibility, economic and seismic studies
Umatilla Oregon $294,000 Prepare geothermal drilling operations on select land parcels that will host temperature gradient holes 
Wichita Oklahoma $69,000 Develop a comprehensive Tribal solar development plan 
Wind River Wyoming $750,000 Conduct a technical evaluation to scope, screen and identify challenges and opportunities in mature oil fields

Additional Information

Related Documents

Contact Us

Division of Energy and Mineral Development
13922 Denver West Parkway, Suite 200
Lakewood, CO 80401
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST, Monday–Friday
emdpgrants@bia.gov
(303) 969-5270

Past Funded TEDC Grant Projects

We use a competitive review system with well-defined criteria to select the most qualified projects for funding. Awards are based on the individual merit of the proposal, but we also aim to provide funding to a diverse range of Tribes living in various areas.

We often receive more proposals than can be funded by our annual budget, which is determined by Congress and varies on a year-to-year basis.

For FY2022, we provided $2.5 million in funding. View past funding levels. Learn more by reading the TEDC Press Release. 

Download 2015-2023 TEDC Projects Map

TEDC Projects map 2015-2023

Funded in 2022

GranteeStateAmountProject
Bristol Bay Native CorporationAlaska$300,000Electric Utility Collaboration: Developing Capacity Amongst Small Microgrids in Bristol Bay
Otoe-Missouria Tribe of IndiansOklahoma$209,845Tribal Utility Authority Feasibility Study Project
Fort Independence Community of the Paiute IndiansCalifornia$165,000Energy Sovereignty: Development for the Fort Independence Community's Tribal Utility Authority Feasibility Study
Lac Courte Orielles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa IndiansWisconsin$165,000Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribal Utility Study
Seminole Tribe of FloridaFlorida$160,889Tribal Utility Authority Phase III Feasibility Study
Seneca Nation of IndiansNew York$150,050Energy Organizational Development Project
Reno-Sparks Indian ColonyNevada$150,000Hungry Valley Tribal Utility Authority, and Reno Government Complex Energy Infrastructure Feasibility Project
Lummi NationWashington$150,000Tribal Electric Utility District Feasibility Study Project
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe - White Earth Band of Chippewa IndiansMinnesota$150,000Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant
Standing Rock Sioux TribeNorth Dakota$149,680Standing Rock (SAGE) Renewable Energy Power Authority Capacity Building
Picuris PuebloNew Mexico$118,000Form a Pueblo Tribal Utility and Develop Appropriate Utility Code Provisions
Spirit Lake TribeNorth Dakota$117,720Phase II Tribal Utility Formation & Execution for the Spirit Lake Tribe 2022
Menominee Indian Tribe of WisconsinWisconsin$100,000

Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant - Feasibility Study

 

Little River Band of Ottawa IndiansMichigan$99,420Tribal Utility Authority Feasibility Study 2022
Pechanga Band of IndiansCalifornia$94,200Study the Feasibility of Expanding Pechanga Western Electric to Supply Wholesale Natural Gas to the Reservation
Morongo Band of Mission IndiansCalifornia$92,000Continuation of Tribal Utility Authority Feasibility – Special Utility District
Bear River Band of the Rohnverville RancheriaCalifornia$87,382Bear River Energy Regulatory Capacity
Paskenta Band of Nomlaki IndiansCalifornia$72,320Paskenta Tribal Utility and Microgrid Planning Project

Prior Funded Years

Prior Funded Years

For FY2019, $4.6 million was requested and we provided $1 million in funding. View past funding levels.

Reservation State Amount Purpose 
Angoon Community Association Alaska $85,000 Investigate the feasibility of forming a Tribal utility authority and assess current energy costs  
Hughes Village Alaska $109,000 Form an intertribal energy agency to improve electric service to villages 
Kwethluk, Inc. Alaska $98,000 Develop Tribal policies and regulations to deploy renewable energy  
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Minnesota $85,000 Conduct a Phase 1 Tribal utility authority feasibility analysis 
Morongo Band of Mission Indians California $70,000 Explore the possibility of developing a Tribal electric utility  
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Oklahoma $100,000 Conduct a Phase 2 Tribal utility authority feasibility analysis 
Native Village of Kiana Alaska $125,000 Conduct a phase 2 study on forming a regional energy authority 
San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority California $100,000 Conduct a Phase 1 Tribal utility authority study to include management of energy resources 
Seminole Tribe of Florida Florida $100,000 Conduct a study on expanding the Tribal public works department to include a Tribal utility authority 
Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians California $85,000 Conduct a Tribal utility authority feasibility study 
Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians California $75,000 Conduct a phase 2 Tribal utility authority study to assess potential off-reservation power sales 

Additional Information

Related Pages

Related Documents

Contact Us

Division of Energy and Mineral Development
13922 Denver West Parkway, Suite 200
Lakewood, CO 80401
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST, Monday–Friday
tedcgrants@bia.gov
(303) 969-5270

Apply for an EMDP Grant

Each year, our Division of Energy and Mineral Development offers Tribes financial support to assess the energy and mineral resource potential of their lands through its Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) grants.

On average, we award grants ranging in value from $10,000 (minimum ask) to $2,500,000 (maximum ask). We will only fund projects for one year at a time.

EMDP Grant has closed. 

View the EMDP Grant at grants.gov
Funding Opportunity Number: BIA-EMDP-2024-01
Closing Date: May 24, 2024

If you have any questions, please email us at: emdpgrants@bia.gov

View EMDP Grant on Grants.Gov

What You Need

All applicants must complete the following forms on grants.gov.

  • Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V3.0]
  • Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0]
  • Budget Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]
  • Project Abstract Summary [V2.0]
  • Project Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]
  • Attachments [V1.2]
    • Tribal Resolution
    • Critical Information Sheet
  • Key Contacts [V2.0]
  • ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form [V2.0]

To be considered for funding, you must submit all required forms for your application. If your application is incomplete, we will inform you and provide an explanation of what needs to be completed. You must then resubmit a completed version of your application by the deadline.

Fees

There is no cost to apply, but the Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs are not responsible for application preparation costs.

How to Apply

Submit Online

Applicants are required to submit completed proposal application packages via Grants.gov

Steps

  1. Go to Grants.gov to start your application.
  2. Complete all the forms listed above required for the grant application and submit by the deadline.

    DEMD requires a Tribal resolution authorizing the Tribe to submit the grant proposal for the Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP). Please provide your tribal administration ample time to prepare this to submit with your grant application.

 

Next Steps

After your submission at Grants.gov, you'll receive a confirmation email from Grants.gov

Apply for a TEDC Grant

Each year, our Division of Energy and Mineral Development, through its Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) program grants, offers Tribes financial support to establish their energy business or enhance the energy capacity of their business. 

Annually, we plan to award 15-45 grants, ranging in value from $10,000 (minimum ask) to $450,000 (maximum ask). We will only fund projects for one year at a time. 

TEDC Grant is now open and we are currently accepting applications

The grant application process has changed, all applications must be submitted through grants.gov. The applications are processed through GrantSolutions. If you have any questions, please contact:

Division of Energy and Mineral Development
telephone: (303) 969-5270
e-mail: tedcgrants@bia.gov

Closing Date for Applications: Jan 16, 2025

Back to TEDC Homepage
Back to DEMD Homepage
Tribal Energy & Mineral Grant Programs
Technical Assistance

What You Need

All applicants must complete the following forms on grants.gov.

  • Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) [V3.0]
  • Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) [V1.0]
  • Budget Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]
  • Project Abstract Summary [V2.0]
  • Project Narrative Attachment Form [V1.2]
  • Attachments [V1.2]
    • Tribal Resolution
    • Critical Information Sheet
  • Key Contacts [V2.0]
  • ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form [V2.0]

To be considered for funding, you must submit all required forms for your application by the deadline. Notifications will be sent from GrantSolutions. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

Fees

There is no cost to apply, but the Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs are not responsible for application preparation costs.

How to Apply

Submit Online

Applicants are required to submit completed proposal application packages via email.  

Steps 

  1. Go to Grants.gov to start your application.
  2. Complete all the forms listed above required for the grant application and submit by the deadline.

    3. DEMD requires a Tribal resolution authorizing the Tribe to submit the grant proposal for the Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC). Please provide your tribal administration ample time to prepare this to submit with your grant application.

Next Steps

After we receive your submission, we’ll send you a confirmation email within five business days. 

Atlas of Oil & Gas Plays on American Indian Lands

Topic

These publications provide information about the petroleum potential and leasing opportunities on many Indian reservations in the U.S. geologic data maps, cross-sections, and field production information are presented in this atlas primarily from published data. Oil and gas potential are described by the different play types, as well as non-conventional or hypothetical plays.

Now Accepting Applications for DEMD Tribal Grant Programs

Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant

Each year, our Division of Energy and Mineral Development offers tribes financial support to assess the energy and mineral resource potential of their lands through its Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) grants.

For 2022, we plan to award 25-30 grants, ranging in value from $10,000 (minimum ask) to $2,500,000 (maximum ask). We will only fund projects for one year at a time.

We’re currently accepting applications.

ILGP Borrower Success Story: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Indian Pueblo Marketing Inc. (IPMI) and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) have continued to increase opportunities for Native people.

Snapshot

Multiple Loan Guarantees, 1987-present
Lender: Several Local and Native Banks
Borrower: Indian Pueblo Marketing Inc.
Project: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Financing Amount: $15,000,000 (multiple loans)

About

Annual revenue started out less than $1 million and has now grown to over $30 million. The Indian Pueblo Marketing Inc. (IPMI) and Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC) have continued to increase opportunities for Native people. Today they employ close to 200 people, 44% are Native American. The Board of Directors is comprised of four tribal members and one Albuquerque business person. Top management positions for both corporations are also tribal members.

Retail development of the property continues to grow with entities such as Starbucks, restaurants, and a self-storage business. IPCC and IPMI growth and success has been realized through effective leadership, proper planning and the responsible use of programs such as the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP).

It’s safe to say that obtaining financing for any of the IPMI or IPCC projects would not have been possible without the additional security of a loan guarantee provided by the Division of Capital Investment.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

ILGP Borrower Success Story: Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

"This venture demonstrates Navajo sovereignty....It elevates Navajo ownership in the wireless business-whereby our voice will guide NTUAW to the next level. Any expansion opens economic venues, including increased employment." NTUA General Manager

Snapshot

2016 Loan Guarantee
Business/Borrower: Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
Lender: Great Western Bank
Amount Financed: $23.5 Million
Location: Ft. Defiance, Arizona
Tribal area: Navajo Nation

About

In 2016 the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) used the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP) to guarantee a loan that allowed NTUA to acquire a greater ownership interest in NTUA Wireless LLC (NTUAW), a subsidiary of the tribal utility that provides telecommunications services for the Navajo Nation.

The $23.5 million guaranteed loan had granted NTUA a 51% common stock interest in NTUAW, making NTUA the first wireless/internet business primarily owned and operated by a tribal enterprise.

The creation of NTUA Wireless met an underserved and unserved communications need within the Navajo Nation. The jobs created and the ability of a greater number of Navajo homes to have access to the communications products, especially the internet, has been the greatest highlight. NTUA is organized to provide the Navajo people with services at low and reasonable costs. These services include communications, electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, and photovoltaic power (solar). NTUA also promotes employment opportunities while improving the health and welfare of Navajo Nation residents.

Navajo Nation overcame several barriers building the infrastructure of NTUA. Numerous right-of-ways had to be obtained to ensure that the project remained on schedule. “NTUA continues to seek ways to expand into isolated Navajo Nation areas with very limited service," NTUA General Manager Walter Haase said. "This is especially important for families needing immediate access to emergency services or families needing to communicate with family members living away from home."

Over 80 permanent fulltime jobs were created, including 45 direct jobs within NTUA Wireless and an additional 35 jobs within NTUA to support the efforts of NTUA Wireless. "This agreement demonstrates sovereignty," Haase said. "It elevates Navajo ownership in the wireless business-whereby our voice will guide NTUAW to the next level. Any expansion opens economic venues, including increased employment. We are in an area where the unemployment rate is close to 46.5%--therefore any new jobs helps."

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

ILGP Borrower Success Story: Bayview General Merchandise Inc.

Bayview General Merchandise (BGM) is a retail store operating in the village of Toksook Bay, on southwestern Alaska’s Nelson Island, and is only accessible by air or sea. The average temperature in the winter there is 1 to -10 degrees Celsius.

BGM provides groceries, appliances, hardware, hunting and fishing gear, and Honda parts.

Details

Date of Commitment: 2015
Type of Service: Loan Guarantee
Lender: First National Bank
Borrower: Bayview General Merchandise Inc.
Project: Building construction of Bayview General Merchandise Inc.
Financing Amount: $100,000
Location: Toksook Bay, Alaska

Description

Bayview General Merchandise (BGM) is a retail store operating in the village of Toksook Bay, on southwestern Alaska’s Nelson Island, and is only accessible by air or sea. The average temperature in the winter there is 1 to -10 degrees Celsius.

Alexie Jimmie, a shareholder of the Village Corporation of Toksook Bay, established BGM in 1999 to provide retail items to the people of Toksook Bay and Nelson Island. BGM began in an 850 square foot rental space. In 2015, Jimmie used the loan guarantee program to secure a loan to build a store that is over 2500 square feet.

When asked what the people from his village need most from his store, Alexie responded, “Everything!”

Bayview General Merchandise provides groceries, appliances, hardware, hunting and fishing gear, and Honda parts. “ATVs are the transportation mode here on Nelson Island, so we have to keep these machines running,” Jimmie said.

BGM has received overwhelming support from the community. It continues to be a successful business that supports festivals and donates to the local church.

“It’s important to be able to provide goods to the village,” Jimmie said. “We are only closed when the power goes out.”

Successful business leads to economic growth. Jimmie would like to continue exploring economic development for the community of Toksook Bay and is looking into processing Musk-Ox wool that would be knitted then sold online.

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

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