NEW YORK, NY —Sept. 25, 2025 — Indigenized Energy is proud to announce that the Northern Cheyenne Buffalo Solar Project has been named an Honorable Mention in the inaugural Electric Innovation Awards, recognized in the “Power for All” category. The award celebrates groundbreaking initiatives that advance electrification and accelerate the transition to a clean, all-electric future.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, the Northern Cheyenne Solar Buffalo Project stood out for its vision, innovation, and impact. Completed earlier this year in Ashland, Montana, the project provides reliable solar power to the Tribe’s buffalo program, strengthening food sovereignty, cultural resilience, and community-led climate action.
“The addition of a solar system has been a game-changer for our program” said Brandon Small, the Northern Cheyenne Buffalo Program Manager. “It is helping us protect the herd and will allow us to grow and better serve our people.”
“Every project we take on is about more than energy, it’s about sovereignty, resilience, and the future of our communities,” said Cody Two Bears, CEO of Indigenized Energy. “By partnering closely with tribes, investing time, resources, and knowledge, we help build energy systems that are owned, controlled, and sustained by the people who call this land home.”
In addition to partnering with the tribe, partners from across the clean energy and philanthropic sectors helped bring the project to life. Indigenized Energy led development and coordination, with Freedom Forever serving as the project contractor, equipment and training from Jinko Solar, and major funding from the Honnold Foundation and Empowered by Light.
The award was celebrated during Climate Week NYC on September 24, where leaders from across government, industry, and philanthropy joined innovators like Indigenized Energy to highlight transformative efforts shaping a sustainable future.
Beyond the award, Indigenized Energy will join the Electric Innovation Initiative program, a year-round effort to support innovators by amplifying their stories, connecting them with key stakeholders, and building a peer network advancing electrification nationwide.
The Honorable Mention status underscores Indigenized Energy’s ongoing commitment to delivering clean energy in partnership with tribal nations across the Plains region.
To learn more about this project, please read our full story here.