What happens when renewable energy development enters sacred land?

In this episode of Green Disruptors, host Megan Kjar sits down with David Harper, a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes and a Mojave leader with more than 30 years of cultural stewardship and 15 years in renewable energy development.

Dave shares his journey from opposing renewable projects that threatened sacred sites to helping tribes lead and own clean energy development on their own terms. He explains why trust is often missing in Indian Country, how historical trauma still shapes modern decision-making, and what developers must understand before entering tribal lands.

The conversation also explores Huurav Energy, a new financing model designed to provide bridge loans for tribal renewable projects that lost federal funding—helping tribes keep shovel-ready projects alive without sacrificing sovereignty.

This episode is a powerful exploration of energy, culture, capital, and what it truly means to build a just and inclusive energy transition.