The Data Center Debate Taking Over Native American Tribes
Native candidates are far from unified on AI infrastructure, writes Petala Ironcloud.
Native American tribes have become a focal point in the debate over data center development, with several major tribal leaders running for office and having to address the issue directly. Deb Haaland, Sharice Davids, Mary Peltola, and Peggy Flanagan are all candidates addressing concerns about data centers. Flanagan, a member of the Ojibwe tribe, has been outspoken about AI being an "existential threat to us if it gets out of control" and has called for moratoriums on new data center development until strong, reliable guardrails are in place.
Davids and Haaland have taken different approaches, with Davids focusing on practical concerns such as electricity costs and water resources, while Haaland has proposed using renewable energy sources to offset data center energy consumption. Peltola, on the other hand, takes a more localized approach, deferring to the people of the region regarding data center development.
The issue of AI data centers has also raised concerns about the potential impact on tribal consultation rights and the National Historic Preservation Act.
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