Native Tribes Are Building Power for Their People
June 19, 2026
On April 22, the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota activated what it calls a “resilience hub”—a solar and electric battery system located at the tribal school and community center in the White Earth village of Pine Point. The word “resilience” in the name was very intentionally chosen.
According to Pine Point resident and Anishinaabe social activist Winona LaDuke, residents in her village often experience disconnection from their electric service, particularly during strong storms. LaDuke notes that the school, where her children and grandchildren have been pupils, is “the largest electricity consumer in the village.” She adds that “if we can reduce their energy bill and then use that as a foundation for more energy self-sufficiency for the village, we’re good.”