The Red Lake Nation Embassy in Minneapolis’ Little Earth neighborhood hosted an Electric Vehicle Social on Friday, highlighting the Indigenous community’s commitment to energy sovereignty and sustainable transportation. The event, organized to educate attendees about electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure, drew community members eager to learn about the environmental and financial benefits of EVs.

Samuel Strong, secretary of the Red Lake Nation, underscored the alignment of EVs with traditional Indigenous values. "We’ve always been stewards of the Earth," Strong said. "Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature, and this is a critical step in continuing that legacy."

Robert Blake, executive director of Native Sun Community Power Development and a tribal citizen of the Red Lake Nation, emphasized the practical advantages of EVs for Indigenous communities. "Energy poverty is a significant issue," Blake noted. "EVs can reduce transportation costs, freeing up resources for other needs. For example, while a gas fill-up might cost $50, charging an EV could be as low as $15."

As part of its efforts, Native Sun will install a DC fast charger at the embassy by year-end. Users will pay to charge their vehicles, with proceeds funding the embassy’s energy efficiency initiatives. Blake is also leading the Electric Nation project, a five-state initiative funded by the Department of Energy to deploy EV charging stations and provide free EVs to tribal communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

The event also showcased a Volkswagen electric bus, slated for donation to the Red Lake Nation Youth Shelter, symbolizing the broader goal of integrating rural and Indigenous communities into the energy transition. The gathering marked the embassy’s first open house since a tragic mass shooting in May, offering a hopeful step forward. "This is an opportunity for our people to move on in a positive way," Strong said.