Native Sun Community Power Development

Native Sun is a native-led nonprofit, and our mission is to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy, and an equitable energy transition through education, workforce training, and demonstration.

  • The Upper Midwest Inter-Tribal EV Charging Community Network

    A Native-led public/private partnership to address plug-in electric vehicle (EV) barriers for Tribal members in the Upper Midwest. The project will provide equitable access to clean, affordable transportation in multi-family housing and rural, underserved Tribal communities.

    3 PROJECT GOALS for Native Sun →

  • EV-based transportation is an effective pathway to a green future.

    The project will deploy 19 commercial, passenger, and transit EVs and related equipment to test and demonstrate their potential on rural Reservations. The goal is to catalyze energy self-determination and new job opportunities; and expand access to the benefits of electrified transportation to more Tribal members.

  • Investments in EV-related infrastructure are not only necessary, they make good sense.

    This project will benefit 23 Native Nations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota with EV fleets and increased access to charging locations. The awareness of the EV technologies will enable communities to share in the economic and environmental benefits.

  • Essential education and outreach engagement at 52 events over 3 years will reach more than 10,000 attendees.

    Native Sun is focused on demonstrating the utility of EVs in rural, underserved communities while advancing equitable access to clean, affordable transportation by expanding EV use in Tribal communities.

Native Sun’s vision is to help Native nations use renewable energy systems for Native communities, train a Native renewable energy workforce, educate young people about climate change and the environment, and develop civic skills and capacity among Native people to provide leadership for a just transition and the path to energy sovereignty.

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Solar Cub

Support our Solar Cub program where young tribal members understand the intersections of a healthy environment, climate, energy, and Native culture and act to make progress toward a just energy transition and energy sovereignty.

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Just Solar Workforce

Support our Just Solar Workforce program that helps Native people develop the skills to build a clean energy future and enter into careers with in the clean energy industry.

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“Native Sun wants to help native people engage in civic and democratic life in ways that advance a just energy transition.”

— Robert Blake, Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development

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