One year after a major setback, Tribes and their partners continue moving projects forward across Indian Country.
This August marks one year since the cancellation of the Solar for All award that would have brought transformative clean-energy investments to Tribal communities across the region.
The cancellation was a major setback. Projects were paused. Plans changed overnight. Communities that had already waited too long for equitable energy investment were once again asked to wait.
But the cancellation did not stop the need—and it did not stop the work.
Over the past year, Tribes, community leaders, coalition members, funders, partners, and organizations working across Indian Country have continued finding ways to move forward. The path may look different than we planned, but the commitment to energy sovereignty, food sovereignty, community resilience, and a better future for the next seven generations remains as strong as ever.
Our Coalition Is Still Moving Forward
We recently held a call with members of the Tribal Renewable Energy Coalition, and it was energizing to hear about the work coalition members are completing in their communities.
Even after a difficult year, Tribes are continuing to build, lead, and pursue solutions shaped by the needs and priorities of their own people. Every project completed, partnership strengthened, and lesson shared is evidence that this movement is bigger than any single funding opportunity. There are some pretty amazing things happening in Tribal communities across the country. We have plans to share more about those accomplishments in the near future.
One Year of Clean Energy—and Thousands of Pounds of Food
This month also marks one year since the Northern Cheyenne Off-Grid Buffalo Project became operational.
Over the past year, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe has harvested and distributed tens of thousands of pounds of buffalo meat to community members. The project supports that work with reliable, off-grid solar power and battery storage—allowing the Tribe to process food in a quieter and more respectful environment without the constant noise and fumes of diesel generators.
Buffalo are sacred, and this project is about much more than energy. It is about caring for the buffalo, feeding the community, strengthening food sovereignty, and building infrastructure that reflects the Tribe’s values.
One year later, the system is doing exactly what it was built to do: supporting the Northern Cheyenne community and the important work already taking place there.
A Promise Kept on the Menominee Reservation
We are also proud to share that a residential solar and battery system for Delta, Joe, and their family on the Menominee Reservation is now up and running.
The family waited patiently for this project, which was originally planned through Solar for All and paused when the award was canceled. Indigenized Energy remained committed to completing the home, and with the persistence of our team and partners, that promise has now been kept.
Delta, Joe, and their family are already benefiting from a system that will help lower their energy costs and provide greater energy resilience.
This home represents an important milestone. It is a testament to the people working throughout Indian Country who continue to find a way forward, even when funding disappears and the original plan is no longer possible.
We will make it happen—one way or another.
Join Us at People of the Sun
This September, we will come together at Standing Rock Reservation for People of the Sun, an Indigenous-led summit, honors ceremony, and celebration taking place September 16–18.
Ten years after the NoDAPL protests at Standing Rock, People of the Sun will honor the environmental, energy, food sovereignty, and community-building work Native people and Tribal Nations have carried forward across Indian Country. It will also create space to connect, celebrate that progress, refill our cups, and prepare for the work still ahead.
The past year has reminded us that progress is rarely a straight line. But the work continues, through every project completed, every promise kept, and every community building its own path toward a stronger and more sovereign future.
Learn more and get tickets here.