Ten Years After NoDAPL protest, a Landmark Gathering Looks to the Future
STANDING ROCK, North Dakota, May 21, 2026 — Indigenous leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, advocates, and allies will gather on the Standing Rock Reservation September 16–18, 2026 for the first annual People of the Sun, a three-day event marking ten years since the NoDAPL protests brought global attention to Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and the future of energy development.
Presented by Indigenized Energy, the gathering will focus on the Tribal-led progress that has emerged in the decade since the movement, including renewable energy development, workforce training, food sovereignty efforts, economic opportunity, and community resilience initiatives across Indian Country. Through panel discussions, cultural experiences, live performances, leadership recognitions, and project showcases, People of the Sun will bring together Native and non-Native leaders to discuss the future of Indigenous-led solutions and the partnerships helping move that work forward.
For many involved, the gathering represents both a return and a reimagining.
“Ten years later, People of the Sun is a moment to reflect and celebrate how far we’ve come with clean energy,” said Cody Two Bears, founder and CEO of Indigenized Energy. “Even more importantly, it’s about looking ahead, grounding ourselves again in the purpose of this work, and refilling our cups so we can continue the work that still lies ahead.”
Actress and activist, Shailene Woodley, who stood with water protectors during the original NoDAPL movement, described the gathering as an opportunity to return with renewed purpose.
“Standing Rock changed so many of us forever,” Woodley said. “Coming back now isn’t about fighting against something. It’s about standing together to fight for something, for community, for renewable energy, for Indigenous leadership, and for the future we still have time to build.”
Organizers say the timing of the gathering is especially significant as tribes continue advancing clean energy projects despite major setbacks in federal support for renewable energy development.
Earlier efforts led by Indigenized Energy and a coalition of Tribal Nations secured a $135 million federal Solar for All award, one of the largest Tribal-focused renewable energy initiatives in the country, intended to help launch long-term, revenue-generating clean energy programs across Native communities. After the Trump administration terminated major federal clean energy funding programs last year, many Tribal Nations chose to continue advancing projects anyway, pursuing private investment, philanthropic support, and new partnerships to keep critical energy and infrastructure work moving forward.
“Tribal Nations are making tremendous strides toward a clean energy future, and there is so much to celebrate and learn from,” said Ron Corn, Chair of the Indigenized Energy Advisory Board and former Chair of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. “At the same time, there is still a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. Federal support may be changing, but tribes are proving every day that we are going to find another way forward.”
The gathering will feature conversations with Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators alongside immersive cultural experiences reflecting the connection between land, energy, culture, and community.
People of the Sun is intentionally designed not as a traditional conference or festival, but as a place-based experience rooted in Standing Rock itself — bringing people together to build relationships, exchange ideas, and help shape the next era of Indigenous-led solutions.
Tickets and additional information about People of the Sun are available at www.peopleofthesun.live.
For interview requests or additional information, please contact: Serena Romero, Director of Marketing and Communications Serena@4Indigenized.energy.
About Indigenized Energy
Founded in 2017 in the wake of the NoDAPL movement, Indigenized Energy is a Native-Led nonprofit that empowers Native communities to achieve energy sovereignty through trusted partnerships, innovative programs, and resilient renewable energy initiatives. We work directly with Tribal Nations to build capacity, fund projects, and train the next generation, turning clean energy into a source of strength, sustainability, and self-determination.