Impact Spotlight
140kW solar microgrid benefitting 1200 people across the Red Lake Nation
Workforce development training in partnership with Red Lake Tribal College
Building resilience and sovereignty through full tribal ownership
About
Red Lake Nation is a federally recognized Native American tribe predominantly comprised of Anishinaabe people. The reservation covers an extensive area of approximately 800,000 acres, making it one of the largest reservations in Minnesota.
The tribe is located in a rural, remote area, presenting challenges for accessibility and connectivity in the digital age. Like many Native American communities across the United States, a history of colonialism has left rural communities with limited economic opportunity. Meanwhile, the grid servicing the tribe is highly vulnerable to power outages caused by increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
In response to these challenges, the community is calling for a more sustainable, reliable source of energy owned and operated by the tribe.
HF Partnership
In partnership with the Honnold Foundation, the Red Lake Nation is building a resilient, sustainable microgrid that will meet the tribe’s energy needs and increase economic opportunity across the region. The Honnold Foundation’s support allows Red Lake to unlock additional federal dollars, providing crucial philanthropic funds that are requisite for a federal grant, and, consequently, unlocking millions of dollars needed for their planned 140kW microgrid.
By focusing on microgrid development and disaster recovery and preparedness, the project addresses critical needs for energy security, community safety, and environmental stewardship, laying the groundwork for a resilient future in the face of climate change and natural disasters.
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