"You can try to describe rural conditions," says Sandra Begay-Campbell, speaking of conditions on some tribal lands, "but what you say doesn't mean much until people see the poor economy and minimal infrastructures for themselves. That opens their eyes."

Improving these conditions is something that Begay-Campbell is working towards. A senior member of Sandia National Laboratories' technical staff, she is also a member of the Navajo Nation. Much of Begay-Campbell's family has lived on tribal lands near Gallup, NM.

Collaborating with the Department of Energy and the Navajo Nation, Begay-Campbell leads Sandia's technical efforts in the Renewable Energy Program. The program is trying to bring renewable energy technologies to Navajo homes in New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.

The program is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that Sandia signed with the Navajo Nation in November 2000. The foundation for the MOU comes from a directive issued by former Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, asking national laboratories to collaborate with Native American pueblos and tribes.

Both Sandia National Laboratories and the Navajo Nation believe that the MOU will make a great difference in the lives of residents. Sandia has developed advanced technologies for renewable energy sources, such as solar power and windmills. These sources are better energy choices for the Navajo Nation since the nation is rather dispersed, and connecting to the electrical power grid is about $25,000 per mile.

Begay-Campbell's cultural knowledge helps her play the role of cultural interpreter to both Sandia and the Navajo Nation. This role has allowed both sides to communicate well. Rather than force technology on the Navajo Nation, Begay-Campbell has helped Sandia listen to the nation's needs and offer choices. "It can be difficult for a technical person to understand that despite the presence of all the physical conditions that allow a particular technology to succeed, it still may not be acceptable because the community doesn't want it," says Begay-Campbell.

Photovoltaics, for example, have proved to be a good option, she explains, "because it is a clean, quiet source of renewable energy that is in harmony with the Native American philosophy of Seven Generations. That philosophy is used to care for the earth and the people on it, care about future generations, and live as sovereign people for seven generations to come."

Involved in both scientific and Native American affairs, Begay-Campbell is the former executive director of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, whose mission is to increase the number of Native American scientists and engineers. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from University of New Mexico and an MS in Structural Engineering from Stanford University, and has worked for such organizations as Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2000 she received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Women from the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women, and the Stanford University Multicultural Alumni of the Year Award.

Not just concerned about science and Native Americans, Begay-Campbell also serves on the Board of Directors for Futures for Children, Albuquerque, NM. Perhaps her greatest reward is improving the lives of people.