From the Rez to Clean Energy: HuuravCEO David Harper on the RezToCEOPodcast

Huurav Energy founder and CEO David Harper recently joined the RezToCEO podcast to discuss how Indigenous leadership and clean energy innovation are driving a new era of Tribal energy sovereignty.

In a powerful conversation with host Trent Billette, David shares his journey from

growing up on the rez to leading Huurav Energy.

Rooted in Community, Driven by Sovereignty

“In Mojave, huurav is the energy that makes lightning and thunder. We created this

company to help Tribes that have existing renewable energy projects that, because of

the drawback by the federal government, are held in suspense,” said David.

At Huurav Energy, our mission is built on a clear belief: sovereignty begins with self-

determination.

For Tribal Nations, that means owning and controlling the energy infrastructure that

powers homes, schools, and economies. Throughout the episode, David explains how

Huurav combines traditional knowledge and modern innovation to deliver solutions that

serve both people and planet.

“Innovation doesn’t mean leaving culture behind; it means bringing it forward into

everything we build,” David says.

Every project Huurav undertakes is rooted in community values — honoring the land,

protecting the environment, and ensuring long-term benefits for future generations.

Financing the Future of Indigenous Clean Energy

As David outlines on RezToCEO, access to clean energy financing is one of the biggest

challenges facing Tribal communities today. Huurav Energy bridges that gap, helping

Tribes unlock capital for solar, wind, and energy infrastructure projects that support

economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

By designing financing models that center community priorities, Huurav helps ensure

that energy development leads to Tribal economic independence, not dependency.

“We’re not just building energy projects — we’re building the foundation for

sovereignty.”

A Vision for Indigenous Innovation

David’s story reflects a larger movement: Indigenous entrepreneurs leading the

transition toward a more equitable, sustainable energy future. His work in renewable

energy started in his own community, where he witnessed outside corporations

excavating on Tribal lands with little to no oversight from elders or Tribal members.

“We kind of graduated from a homegrown, grassroots movement of our people. I came

to a realization that, if I was on the top of the heap, I could keep that from happening,”

David explains. “I could steer companies away from that and really preserve our

culture.”

Through collaboration, education, and community-led investment, Huurav Energy is

redefining what clean energy projects look like when they’re built by and for Native

Nations. This vision aligns deeply with Huurav’s mission to make clean energy not just

accessible, but empowering for Indigenous communities across North America.

Listen to the Episode

RezToCEO — Episode 7: David Harper

Join host Trent Billette as he and David Harper discuss leadership, purpose, and the

path from the rez to renewable energy entrepreneurship.