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Tribal Energy Sovereignty in Motion!
- Native Sun Media
- Jun 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 29
Native Sun Community Power Development
Our First Quarterly Newsletter, June 2026
June is Ode’imin Giizis (the Strawberry Moon), the Heart Berry Moon.
The strawberry is considered a powerful medicine that teaches lessons about love, humility, and gratitude. June hosts the Summer Solstice, which aligns closely with the ripening of the heart berry. The longest day of the year is celebrated as a time of abundance, connection to the land, and new life.
This issue reflects that season. Across Tribal communities, new transportation and renewable energy projects are taking shape, young people are preparing for future roles, partnerships are growing, and long-held visions are becoming visible community assets.
Tribal Energy Sovereignty in Motion
Red Lake Nation is putting electric transportation to work across the community while building greater control over its transportation and energy future. The Nation’s growing fleet supports health care, food access, shelters, schools, agriculture, and Tribal operations, connecting energy investment with the everyday care of people and community.
The Red Lake Nation Opens Its First Public DC Fast Charger
Red Lake Nation celebrated the opening of its first public DC fast charger at Seven Clans Casino Red Lake during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 28. The fast charger is the latest addition to Red Lake Nation’s growing electric vehicle charging network, which already includes more than 25 EV chargers across the Nation.
Seven Clans Casino Red Lake and Seven Clans Casino Thief River Falls now offer both DC fast charging and Level 2 charging. Another Level 2 charger is planned for Seven Clans Casino Warroad.
The fast chargers are enrolled in Minnkota Power Cooperative’s Infinity Renewable Energy program through the electric cooperatives serving the casino locations. Through the program, the electricity used for vehicle charging is matched with energy generated from renewable resources.
The expanded charging network increases access for community members, Tribal programs, casino guests, and other visitors. This is Tribal energy sovereignty in motion: giving Red Lake Nation more control over the infrastructure that powers transportation, reducing reliance on gasoline, and connecting electric mobility with renewable energy.
A Red Lake Vision
In 2020, Red Lake Tribal citizen Robert “Bob” Blake envisioned a different kind of pipeline across Indian Country: a network of electric vehicle charging stations connecting Tribal communities.
That vision helped lead to the creation of Electric Nation, powered by Native Sun Community Power Development. Native Sun later received funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand electric transportation and charging infrastructure in partnership with Tribal Nations, including the Red Lake Nation.
Freedom to Drive
More than 200 people attended, and approximately 30 electric vehicles were on display. The showcase included e-bikes, accessible e-trikes, passenger vehicles, pickups, an electric box truck, an electric side-by-side, and an electric school bus. A Ford F-150 Lightning demonstrated bidirectional charging by powering the Red Lake School District’s fundraiser food truck. The event also featured Red Lake High School’s robotics club, horticulture training and displays, a portable solar training lab, and information about Red Lake Nation’s renewable energy and distributed energy resource projects.
Electric Nation at Work
Red Lake Nation has 25 electric vehicles serving health care, youth and family services, education, agriculture, and Tribal operations. ID. Buzz vans support Red Lake Community Health Services, the Youth Shelter, and family services by transporting community members to dialysis appointments, food services, and other essential programs. Electric school buses transport students.
The Red Lake Buffalo Farm uses an electric side-by-side for agricultural and off-road work. Tribal departments use electric pickups, passenger vehicles, and trucks to move staff, equipment, supplies, and goods throughout the community.
The fleet reduces Red Lake Nation’s dependence on outside fuel markets and keeps transportation connected to infrastructure controlled by the Nation. Public charging, solar energy, distributed energy resources, and bidirectional vehicle technology are helping strengthen a more self-determined energy system.
Read more about the vehicles, demonstrations, renewable energy displays, and community participation at the 2026 Freedom to Drive Showcase on the Native Sun blog.
Click here to read the blog related to"Freedom to Drive," and view media of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Where Electric Nation Meets EducationCleaner rides. Stronger communities. Tribal energy sovereignty in motion.
In 2026, Native Sun launched a new electric school bus program in partnership with the World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative. The program supports Tribal Nations and schools serving Native students through education, resources, technical assistance, and opportunities to share questions, concerns, and lessons with one another.
Electric school buses support Tribal energy sovereignty when Tribal Nations control decisions about fleet planning, charging infrastructure, energy resources, utility relationships, battery use, and long-term community benefits. The initiative helps communities connect school transportation, energy infrastructure, and future investments in ways that reflect their own priorities and the needs of the next seven generations.
What’s coming in 2026:
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Electric Nation is expanding west. Native Sun launched Electric Nation Pacific Northwest, bringing its work in clean transportation and Tribal energy infrastructure to Washington State. The program is grounded in relationships, shared learning, and each Tribal Nation’s priorities for its lands, economy, and future transportation needs. What’s Ahead in 2026 and 2027 Native Sun will install two DC fast chargers for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. Each project will include a pull-through charger for larger electric vehicles and vehicles towing trailers.
Native Sun is also working with the Yakama Nation and Yakama Power to design charging infrastructure for future electric fleet vehicles and community use. These projects will expand access to charging, support Tribal transportation and economic activity, and help each Nation prepare for future electric-vehicle needs.
Native Sun will continue to drive the expansion of Electric Nation forward in partnership with interested Tribal Nations across Turtle Island, helping build transportation infrastructure that serves Tribal communities today and supports their future goals. |
Building a Tribally Owned Energy Future
The Makwa Solar Array reflects the connection between land, energy, and long-term community benefit. The 3-megawatt solar project will be owned by Red Lake Nation and developed as a renewable energy asset that can generate revenue, create workforce opportunities, and support future energy development under Tribal control.
A Tribally Owned Energy Asset
The project includes solar generation, electrical and substation infrastructure, workforce development, and planning for future expansion. Funding includes support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Electrification Program.
Agrivoltaics are also part of the project vision. Plans will explore how solar generation, planting, food production, and the productive use of the land can work together on site. This approach connects renewable energy development with the Red Lake Nation’s agricultural priorities and responsibility to future generations. The Makwa Solar Array will strengthen Red Lake Nation’s role in energy planning and decision-making while keeping ownership, value, and long-term benefits tied to the Nation and its land.
Makwa Solar Array at a Glance
3 megawatts of planned solar generation
Tribally owned energy infrastructure
Revenue and long-term economic opportunity
Workforce training and employment potential
Future solar expansion
Agrivoltaics and productive land use
October 8–9, 2026
Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
Morton, Minnesota
The Tribal Advocacy Council on Energy brings together 10 of Minnesota’s 11 Tribal Nations to share knowledge, strengthen relationships, and advance Tribal leadership in energy policy, infrastructure, transportation, workforce development, and long-term planning.
Native Sun Community Power Development is honored to help plan the second annual TACE Tribal Energy Forum, hosted by the Lower Sioux Indian Community. The forum will bring Tribal leaders, energy professionals, utilities, educators, policymakers, and community partners together to exchange information and support Tribal energy sovereignty.
Early Registration Is Open
Registration information is now available for Tribal representatives, partners, and other participants interested in attending the forum.
Sponsors, Vendors, and Exhibitors
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations interested in supporting Tribal participation, cultural programming, youth engagement, shared learning, and the costs of hosting the forum. Applications are also open for vendors and exhibitors interested in sharing products, services, programs, and resources with forum participants.
Robert “Bob” Blake
A Vision for an Electric Nation
Robert “Bob” Blake is a Red Lake Tribal citizen and Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development.
His vision for Electric Nation began in 2020 with the idea of building a different kind of pipeline across Turtle Island: a network of electric vehicle charging stations connecting Tribal communities along traditional travel and trade routes.
Where the Vision Began
The first Electric Nation project created an inter-Tribal electric transportation network across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, working with Tribal Nations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
The work brought electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to Tribal fleets and community locations while creating new connections among health care, education, economic development, transportation, and energy sovereignty.
Growing Through the Great Lakes
A second Electric Nation project expanded the vision into the Great Lakes region, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The work reaches Tribal communities in Line 5 territory and continues Bob’s vision of creating transportation alternatives shaped by Tribal priorities, community needs, and responsibility to the land and water.
Moving West
In 2026, Electric Nation continued growing with the launch of Electric Nation Pacific Northwest. New work with Tribal Nations in Washington is carrying the vision west while building relationships, charging infrastructure, and opportunities for shared learning.
What began with one Red Lake citizen’s idea is growing into a network shaped by Tribal Nations across Turtle Island. Bob’s vision remains rooted in relationships, local ownership, cleaner transportation, economic opportunity, and the belief that Tribal communities should lead the decisions that shape their energy futures.
As we celebrate this season of abundance and new growth, we are grateful for the Tribal Nations, community members, youth, staff, partners, and supporters who make this work possible.
Your support helps Native Sun travel to communities, bring people together, provide youth education and supplies, support early project planning, and continue building relationships across Turtle Island.
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New in 2026: Shop Native Sun
Visit our new online merchandise store for Native Sun T-shirts and other items. Purchases support Native Sun programs and help share the story of Native-led energy work.
Other Ways to Give Make a Donation: Make a tax-deductible donation directly through the Native Sun website. Gifts support electric transportation, renewable energy, workforce development, youth programs, community engagement, technical assistance, and Tribal energy sovereignty.
Give Through a Donor-Advised Fund You can also recommend a grant to Native Sun Community Power Development through your donor-advised fund.
Miigwech and Pidamaya for helping this work continue to grow. |
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