Philosophy
The Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) was formed for Tribes by Tribes. CERT is a "true" Inter-Tribal organization that is dynamically changing and challenging the federal-Indian relationship. The Energy Resource Tribes govern, control, and direct CERT. Each Tribe is represented on the CERT Board of Directors by an elected official to voice their opinions.

History
In the early years with support from the Reagan Administration, CERT helped Tribes gain management oversight of technical assistance provided by the federal departments charged with the responsibility for Indians and energy. Led by the U.S. Department of Energy and supported by the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services’ Administration for Native Americans, and the Environmental Protection Agency, an innovative inter-agency agreement was a model for multi-Tribal and multi-agency coordination.

Tribes made great strides toward taking their rightful place in the American system of government by fulfilling their governmental responsibilities. Equally important, Indian Tribes began participating and competing in the American economic marketplace.

Through the innovative agreement, additional resources from Tribes and industry provide funding for CERT's education program through the American Spirit Award Dinner (the nation's largest private fundraising event for Indian education), Faces of the Future and the Pueblo Challenge golf tournament. CERT’s premier education program has served over 1,000 Indian students with a graduation rate of nearly 80%.

Unfortunately, the interagency-intertribal relationship was abandoned after the Clinton Administration.

But as sovereign nations, the vision of true self-determination was a prominent goal long before CERT was founded. CERT's Tribal leadership continues to implement its dynamic three-pronged approach to maintain its vision: effectively govern within their own lands as well as play an important role in governing America; master the tools of modern technology and business; cultivate diversified economies, integrating environmental and cultural values with economic growth.

Under the direction of the elected leadership of the 54 federally recognized U.S. Tribes and four First Nation Treaty Tribes of Canada, CERT dramatically restructured the federal-Indian relationship with respect to minerals, mining, taxation, and Tribal jurisdiction over environmental regulation on Indian lands.

CERT, through its energy forums and Indian Energy Solutions conferences helps build understanding between Tribal interests and those of the companies operating within Tribal jurisdiction or doing business with Tribes.

The energy Tribes continue to work with Congress to expand their commitment to governing their lands wisely while building foundations for future prosperity.