Indigenous Communities

Solving for Indigenous communities in the US and Canada

Solve continues to hear from Indigenous leaders about the essential role culture and traditional knowledge systems must play in any business, nonprofit, or social enterprise designed for and with their communities. Whether working with mapping systems, data banks, financial institutions, agriculture, or energy, the time is past due for services and technologies that truly serve the interests of Indigenous peoples. 

The 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

Innovation addressing Indigenous communities' needs is as diverse and expansive as the communities themselves, with entrepreneurs harnessing traditional knowledge systems, values, and teachings to reimagine what is possible in their communities and beyond. The Tohono O’odham Nation, a sovereign tribe with the landmass of Connecticut, has recently deployed affordable wireless internet service for all its citizens. In Canada, the Sanyakola Foundation is working directly with First Nations and Métis elders to develop language revitalization technologies for dying or presumed extinct Indigenous languages. Innovators across the US and Canada are committed to creating bright and prosperous futures for all Indigenous peoples. 

The Indigenous Communities Fellowship seeks solutions that allow innovators in the US and Canada to build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of Indigenous communities.

Learn more
20180514-AS-_S220971.JPG-0136.JPG

Browse past indigenous communities challenges

Closed
20180514-AS-_S220971.JPG-0136.JPG
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How can Indigenous communities in the US and Canada build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet their social, environmental, and economic goals?
Closed
uploads/66192_solve-tulsa-preview-60 Large.jpeg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How can Indigenous innovators in the US and Canada build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of their communities?
Closed
uploads/57788_400Kb Rectangle (5).jpg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2023 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How are Indigenous innovators in the US and Canada building upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of their communities?
Closed
uploads/50273_28560916858_4ac2fed296_k.jpg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2022 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How can Native innovators in the US build upon traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of their communities?
Closed
uploads/26292_71571307_406030829970942_2217931557014863872_n.jpg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2021 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How can Native innovators in the US use traditional knowledge and technology to meet the social, environmental, and economic goals of their communities?
Closed
uploads/26292_71571307_406030829970942_2217931557014863872_n.jpg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2020 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

How can Native innovators in the US use traditional knowledge and technology to drive social, environmental, and economic impact in their communities?
Closed
uploads/23585_Challenges-hero.jpg
Indigenous Communities Fellowship

2019 Indigenous Communities Fellowship

Native-led solutions that use traditional knowledge and technology to create sustainable and prosperous livelihoods for Indigenous communities

Meet the Indigenous communities innovators

Our Indigenous communities fellows represent 34 unique Indigenous nations across the US and Canada.

pexels-pixabay-356049.jpg

Renewable Rebirth

Empowering Indigenous communities to lead the recycling of legacy renewable energy assets, merging traditional wisdom with sustainable practices.

solve_092324_122801.jpg

ʻĀinaQuest

ʻĀinaQuest is a gameplay experience that uses art and moʻolelo (stories) to cultivate pilina (relationships) between native plants and people.

The-AI-for-Humanity-Prize-Patrick-J.-McGovern-Foundation,-Consultation-Corral--Elise-Blasingame-(1).jpg

Consultation Corral

Use machine-learning and open-data to advance our position in Tribal Consultation

Copy-of-YucayekenoConnect_Groupphoto.JPG

Yucayekeno Connect

Yucayekeno Connect is a digital platform for Borikua Taino descendants to enroll, connect & celebrate heritage through our matrilineal kinship system.

solve_092224_122922.jpg

wâsikan kisewâtisiwin - using AI for good

wâsikan kisewâtisiwin is an AI system aimed at monitoring internet activity to combat hate speech against Indigenous People.

solve_092324_121025.jpg

Resilient Roots: Otoe-Missouria ThriveMap

Using interactive storytelling maps, the Otoe Missouria tribe integrates traditional knowledge with modern technology to address climate change.

Solve for Indigenous sovereignty