Climate Curve

Native Nuclear

Org Type

Nonprofit

Year Founded

2024

Link: LinkedIn:

Primary Project Category:

Secondary Project Category:

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

For generations, Indigenous communities have disproportionately suffered the consequences of nuclear development, from uranium extraction, to nuclear testing, to long-term waste storage, all while having the least power in shaping these decisions. Today, as the U.S. expands its nuclear energy sector, the same communities risk being marginalized again, unless new systems of leadership, justice, and accountability are built. Native Nuclear works to change this trajectory.
As a Native-led and Native-serving organization, we connect with tribal groups across the nation to diversify the future of the nuclear industry. This is inherently restorative justice work, as we aim to address historical harms while creating systems that ensure they cannot be repeated. 
Our everyday actions are led by our CEO Scott Lathrop (yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Tribe), who promotes tribal philosophies of seven-generation thinking and maximizing the use of creator-given resources to lead our nuclear advocacy. Our outreach emphasizes sovereignty, cultural values, and stewardship, rather than prescriptive technology advocacy. Additionally, as the majority of our board of directors are Native individuals from tribes across the country, they help guide our restorative justice work and strengthen agency for Native tribes by ensuring that those most impacted are at the center of designing solutions.

Website:

https://www.nativenuclear.org/

Mission Statement:

Native Nuclear's purpose is to empower Native communities by promoting tribal sovereignty, advancing environmental stewardship, and ensuring equitable access to sustainable energy. We align modern energy goals with traditional practices, expand STEM education, build pathways into the nuclear sector, and support economic empowerment through energy initiatives.

Link: Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nativenuclear/