In recent years, there has been a surge of interest among Indigenous communities in on-site renewable energy as an alternative revenue source, as a means to sovereignty, and as part of a larger effort, to steward the land in a responsible way, in contrast to carbon emitting traditional sources of energy. Developers, attracted by abundant land in sun- and wind-heavy plains, are paying attention.
Bob Blake is the owner of solar installation company Solar Bear and the head of the nonprofit community power development firm Native Sun. Blake is also a frequent advocate for clean energy in the media and a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota. Bob speaks with NPM Reporter Colt Shaw about bringing renewable energy to Native nations.