Big Tech is now targeting Native American land for massive data centers
Native American tribes across the U.S., particularly in Oklahoma, are grappling with the rapid expansion of data centers on their lands, balancing potential economic benefits against environmental concerns and historical exploitation. While some tribal leaders advocate for development, others raise significant issues regarding water and energy usage, leading to active opposition, rejected zoning applications, and the implementation of data center moratoriums. This complex situation highlights the tensions between Big Tech's push for quick approvals and tribal sovereignty.
The rapid expansion of data centers, driven by artificial intelligence, is increasingly targeting Native American lands across the United States, creating a complex conflict between economic development and environmental concerns, particularly in Oklahoma. While some tribal leaders, like Caddo chair Bobby Gonzalez, see data centers as a crucial economic lifeline following the closure of their casino, others, such as former Caddo tribal council member Tracy Newkumet, prioritize water conservation and express skepticism about tying their future to Big Tech.
The appeal of tribal lands for tech companies stems from the potential for faster permitting due to tribal sovereign authority. However, this has often led to accusations of exploitation and a lack of consultation. Chebon Kernell, a Seminole Nation tribal council member, highlighted this issue when he discovered a data center developer's non-disclosure agreement on an agenda without prior discussion. This prompted a hastily organized town hall, leading the Seminole council to unanimously pass a data center moratorium, the first of its kind by a tribe.
Opposition is also active elsewhere: the Muscogee Nation council rejected a rezoning request for a 5,570-acre technology park after intense community resistance. In the Pacific Northwest, the Yakama Nation filed a federal lawsuit in May to block a clean energy project that would power a data center campus on a sacred site. National Indigenous groups, like Honor the Earth, have launched a "Stop Data Colonialism" campaign. Even the influential Cherokee Nation, with leadership divided between proponents like Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and cautious Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., is studying the impacts through a task force.
Amidst these tensions, the Colusa Indian Community of Northern California, which operates its own power grid, is positioning itself as a mediator and developer. Ken Ahmann, COO of Colusa Indian Energy, which recently opened a Tulsa office, stated their goal is to act as a "firewall and a negotiating partner" for tribes. Colusa is currently in talks with the Caddo and other tribes to build a power plant for a data center in Oklahoma by year-end, seeking to bridge the mistrust between Native Americans and tech giants.