This grant supports the Colorado School of Mines' new Native American Mining and Energy Sovereignty (NAMES) initiative, which addresses the issue of critical mineral development in close partnership and engagement with Tribal communities. This topic is particularly salient, as over 70% of domestic lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel reserves in the US are located on or within 35 miles of Tribal reservations. The NAMES initiative aims to bridge the gap between critical mineral mining expertise and Tribal sovereignty, acknowledging the complex history of resource extraction on Tribal lands. The grant will fund three key components, guided by an Advisory Council that will shape the initiative’s strategic direction. First, personnel support is provided for the NAMES Program Director position and a Program Administrator role for three years. Second, support is provided for the annual NAMES Symposium, which will be hosted on Tribal reservations and in close collaboration with Tribal leadership to ensure community participation. Finally, research outputs will be produced on the topics related to Indigenous communities and critical mineral development, including journal articles, policy papers, and opinion pieces. This support complements external funding provided to involve undergraduate and graduate students in the NAMES initiative.