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EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY
OUR WORK
At Native Sun Community Power Development, we are committed to building a future where Native communities have control over their energy systems, economies, and collective well-being. To build a just energy future, Native people must be the ones to lead it.
Native Sun spearheads policy and advocacy initiatives that prioritize Tribal Nations.
Native Sun Policy and Advocacy Work
Native Sun leads policy and advocacy efforts that put Tribal Nations at the center of clean energy and climate planning.
Our work is grounded in Indigenous self-determination. We focus on shifting systems so Native communities have the authority, resources, and capacity to control their own energy futures.
ENGAGEMENT: COMMUNITY CENTERED APPROACH
We engage directly with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory bodies to influence how decisions are made. We advocate for equitable siting of infrastructure, Tribal control of microgrids, grid modernization, and access to public funding that supports Tribal priorities. Our goal is to make sure state and federal policies reflect Indigenous values and practical realities.
REGIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
We provide technical assistance to Tribes across the region. This includes energy planning, grant writing, budget development, compliance support, and workforce program design. We help build internal systems so Tribes can manage funding, implement projects, and grow their own clean energy and climate strategies on their own terms. Our team works directly with Tribal staff and leadership to support infrastructure that lasts beyond a single project or grant.
Building Community Engagement
Community engagement is a core part of how we advocate. In 2024, we participated in more than 50 events, including EV demonstrations at powwows, energy education workshops, and climate adaptation sessions. We also presented at Tribal colleges, national conferences, and policy forums focused on environmental justice and energy access. These efforts help inform communities, build relationships, and keep Native leadership visible in state and national conversations.
We use public speaking and media outreach to bring attention to Native-led energy work.
Our team regularly presents at universities, Tribal gatherings, and government briefings. Our work has been featured by MPR News, MotorWeek, Lakeland PBS, Marketplace, Yale Climate Connections, and Native News Online.
