Electric Nation Expands to the Pacific Northwest

By Peter Chipman and Rhonda Conn

Graphics by Sarah LittleRedfeather Design

In 2026, Native Sun Community Power Development launched Electric Nation Pacific Northwest, expanding its commitment to affordable, clean transportation and Tribal energy infrastructure across Turtle Island.

The first projects will support the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Yakama Nation in Washington. The work includes public DC fast charging, pull-through stations for larger electric vehicles and trailers, and planning for future Tribal fleet and community charging needs.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

Native Sun will install two DC fast chargers for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. One station will feature a pull-through design to accommodate larger electric vehicles and those towing trailers.

The charging sites will be ADA-accessible, well-lit, and designed to serve Tribal programs, community members, visitors, and travelers. Public charging can also support economic development by giving EV drivers more opportunities to stop, charge, visit local businesses, attend events, and spend time in the community.

The project is supported by the Washington State Department of Transportation and an investment from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Spokane Tribe of Indians

Native Sun will also install two DC fast chargers for the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

The project will include a pull-through charging station for larger electric vehicles and vehicles towing trailers. Both locations will be ADA-accessible and properly lit.

The new stations will expand access to charging for Tribal fleets, community members, visitors, and travelers while preparing the Spokane Tribe for continued growth in electric transportation. The project can also contribute to local economic activity by making the community more accessible to electric-vehicle drivers.

Funding includes support from the Washington State Department of Transportation and a contribution from the Spokane Tribe.

Yakama Nation

Native Sun is working with the Yakama Nation and Yakama Power, the Nation’s Tribally owned utility, to design future electric vehicle charging sites.

The project will help Yakama Power prepare to add electric trucks to its fleet while planning charging access for community members. Site design will consider vehicle and fleet needs, electrical capacity, charger locations, community use, and the infrastructure required for future expansion.

The planning work is supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce.

A Vision Growing Across Turtle Island

Electric Nation began with Red Lake Tribal citizen Robert “Bob” Blake’s vision of an electric charging-station pipeline connecting Tribal communities. The work first took shape across the Northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest, with Tribal Nations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. It later expanded into the Great Lakes region, including work with Tribal communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Electric Nation Pacific Northwest now carries that vision into Washington State.

Each Tribal Nation has its own lands, transportation needs, energy systems, economic goals, and community priorities. Native Sun works with Tribal leaders, utilities, staff, and community members to develop charging infrastructure around those local needs. The projects underway in Washington will expand access to charging, support Tribal fleet electrification, accommodate larger vehicles, strengthen community infrastructure, and prepare Tribal Nations for continued changes in transportation.

Electric Nation Pacific Northwest carries that vision into Washington State.

Each Tribal Nation has its own lands, transportation needs, energy systems, economic goals, and community priorities. Native Sun works with Tribal leaders, utilities, staff, and community members to develop charging infrastructure around those local needs.

The projects underway in Washington will expand access to charging, support Tribal fleet electrification, accommodate larger vehicles, strengthen community infrastructure, and prepare Tribal Nations for continued changes in transportation.

Transportation and Tribal Energy Sovereignty

Electric transportation supports Tribal energy sovereignty when Tribal Nations shape decisions about where charging infrastructure is built, how it serves the community, how fleets are developed, and how transportation connects with future energy investments.

Charging stations can serve Tribal programs, government operations, residents, visitors, businesses, tourism, and future renewable energy projects. They also give Tribal Nations an opportunity to prepare their infrastructure as electric transportation continues to grow in rural and Tribal regions.

Native Sun will continue to drive the expansion of Electric Nation forward in partnership with Tribal Nations interested in bringing clean transportation and charging infrastructure to their communities.

The transportation infrastructure of the future is being built now. Electric Nation is working to ensure that Tribal communities help shape, own, and benefit from it.