Tiffany Calabaza ’12 is one of 11 Native American youth leaders honored at the White House Tribal Nations Conference on Dec. 1 as a “Champion of Change.” Calabaza was recognized for her efforts to bring renewable energy to her hometown of Kewa (formerly Santo Domingo Pueblo), N.M.

Calabaza worked with Chemistry Professor Sally Meyer and Kewa tribal members to convert a community windmill into a solar water pumping station. The station will pump groundwater more efficiently, allowing livestock and other small wildlife to have a source of drinking water.

The project continues to involve both Colorado College students, as well as Kewa tribal members. Calabaza’s goal is to educate her community on renewable energy technologies that will allow cattle to spread evenly throughout the rangelands and avoid overgrazing, thus preventing further damage to the land.