Honoring Tradition, Building a Sustainable Future

Red Cliff Housing Authority

Honoring Tradition, Building a Sustainable Future

Nestled along the rugged, wind-swept shores of Lake Superior at Wisconsin’s northernmost edge, the Red Cliff Reservation is more than a place of natural beauty—it is a home, a legacy, and a living symbol of resilience for the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. With the iconic Apostle Islands on the horizon and generations of tradition guiding their path, the Red Cliff community is forging a new reputation: one rooted in sustainability, self-determination, and hope for the future.

In 2025, Focus on Energy presented the Red Cliff with an Energy Efficiency Excellence Award, honoring years of dedication, innovation, and the quiet determination of a Tribal nation working to uplift its people—one home, one family, one solution at a time.

A Legacy of Stewardship, A Future in Motion

For the Red Cliff Housing Authority, progress has always been personal. It’s not just about buildings or budgets—it’s about ensuring that every Tribal member has a warm, safe, and affordable place to call home.

“They can share personal stories with you about seeing their energy bills get cut in half,” said Red Cliff Nation Chairwoman Nicole Boyd. “It’s tangible. It's a story that really tells people these programs are impacting people's livelihoods, their quality of life. And that's what matters the most. That's what really makes the impact so grand for us here.”

It’s this blending of deep-rooted cultural values with forward-looking innovation that has become a hallmark of Red Cliff’s approach. They aren’t simply adopting energy efficiency—they’re reclaiming their tradition of stewardship and applying it to modern challenges.

The transformation began in 2016, when the Housing Authority reached out to Xcel Energy for support. That one connection opened the door to a vital partnership with Focus on Energy, launching a new chapter of possibility.

Since 2023, Red Cliff has completed 75 energy efficiency upgrades across its Tribal housing—each one improving lives in quiet but powerful ways. Insulation, air sealing, smart thermostats, high-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps—these aren’t just mechanical fixes. They’re solutions that reduce strain on families, increase comfort in harsh winters, and allow limited incomes to stretch just a little further.

From Small Steps to Lasting Impact

The Heart Behind the Work

Change doesn’t happen in policy documents or spreadsheets—it happens through people. And Red Cliff has its share of quiet heroes.
Michael Wachsmuth, the Housing Authority’s Maintenance Supervisor, is one of them. Initially unfamiliar with energy efficiency, he embraced training through Focus on Energy and became a certified Building Analyst. Today, he leads the charge, conducting home energy assessments and turning insights into real-world improvements.

“When I first started, I didn’t really have a handle on how important this was,” Wachsmuth shared. “But through the training—and seeing the actual results—it’s been a tremendous help. Without Focus, I don’t think we’d be where we are today.”

With every new skill, Michael and his team are shaping a stronger, more sustainable Red Cliff—preparing homes not just for the winter ahead, but for a future powered by solar, heat pumps, and possibility.

Efficiency as an Act of Care

For Chairwoman Boyd, the true measure of this work lies in its human impact:

“The Housing Authority’s mission—to provide safe and affordable housing—is deeply meaningful. In a low-income community, with many people on fixed incomes, efficiency is more than energy savings. It supports our families. It lets them focus on being who they are meant to be in our community—to share their gifts.”

These aren’t just upgrades. They’re acts of care. They free up resources for groceries, school clothes, medicine. They bring peace of mind to elders. They help young families thrive. And in doing so, they strengthen the entire fabric of the community.

Lighting the Way Forward

The story of Red Cliff is one of determination, vision, and community strength. With 75 projects completed, new funding secured, and even more innovation on the horizon, the Tribe continues to lead by example—showing what’s possible when cultural integrity meets technological progress.

The 2025 Energy Efficiency Excellence Award celebrates more than just numbers. It honors a powerful truth: that sustainability and sovereignty go hand in hand. That honoring the land means honoring the people who live on it. And that when a community invests in its future, everyone benefits.

Red Cliff is not just building better homes—it’s building a legacy of care, resilience, and hope for generations to come.