Hemp Voices: Lisa Sundberg, Indigenous Habitat Institute
Lisa Sundberg serves as the CEO of the Indigenous Habitat Institute (IHI), Trinidad, CA
I am of Native Yurok descent and a member of the Trinidad Rancheria in Northern California. I was involved in the development of the Indian Gaming movement in the U.S. in the early 90’s.
IHI is focusing on three initiatives at this time to steward key industry knowledge to make hempcrete available to the mainstream construction industry at scale under professional rules. We are also leaning into cultural wisdom from indigenous housing to bring forward what we learn to help us in modern times.
Living in California we have faced wild fires, sky rocketing housing insurance, energy hikes, black mold, etc… What piqued my interest in hempcrete is it continued to check off more boxes and nails each one of these elements with just three ingredients.
Why are we looking to France? Hemp was not outlawed in this country so they have been able to mature the industry to the point there is a path to follow from their achievements in our focus area of prefabrication of hempcrete panels, workforce training (including retrofit) under professional rules.
What was a recent win for your organization?
We received a $600,000 grant through the USDA SAS out of Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Centers Grant to develop hemp economies In 2024, IHI initiated its first 600 sq ft prefabricated hempcrete Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) home permitted by the City of Eureka in Northern California. This home will be made from prefabricated hempcrete panels made from “certified materials” and will be produced at the Hoopa Tribe’s 60,000 sq ft modular in partnership with non profit Building Lives by Building Structures led by Franklin Richards.
We just received a green light to start testing our walls for earthquake, R-value and a 4-hour burn. We will also begin the first accredited work force training through College of the Redwoods. This combined work will help us model an industry lift and we will begin the implementation of cultural designs for indigenous housing. Watch for the upcoming short film, “People of the Plank House.”
What is something about hemp building/construction/processing you didn’t know a year ago?
It’s going to take a lot more time because we are navigating industry gaps, and needs for capacity building. It’s definitely not a single business. And the importance of good partnerships with people, organizations who understand this. It’s the communities, organizations and impact people who get behind this movement are helping raise an industry.
What challenges can you identify for the hemp building industry that we must overcome?
The many facets of the industry have to be built underneath it to scale. The United States has to sync up with work other countries have established as standards to speed up industry development.
Email: LisaSundbergInc@gmail.com
Phone: (951) 833-8888
