In 2006 , Trees, Water & People partnered with the Rosebud Sioux tribe (RST) in South Dakota to become an integral part of the tribe’s Clean Energy Education Partnership (CEEP). This effort is intended to increase the knowledge and capacity of the tribe’s Housing Department and Utility Commission staff regarding the benefits and possibilities associated with renewable energy applications.  A key part of CEEP is the Little Thunder Project, which utilizes the home of Cecil and Rosie Little Thunder as a demonstration site for multiple renewable energy applications. 

The Little Thunders are a well known traditional Lakota family that has provided many Lakota spiritual leaders over the generations.  Their involvement and embracing these new technologies is very important to Rosebud and could have widespread impact upon many other traditional Native Americans in other tribes also.

With major support from the Bush Foundation, TWP and the RST installed four renewable energy demonstrations at the Little Thunder home in 2006-2007: windbreak and shade trees, a solar air heater, solar electric (photovoltaic) panels, and a small wind turbine. Installations were conducted as hands-on workshops, where tribal agency personnel, including staff from the Rosebud Housing Authority, could learn more about these technologies. RST leaders would also like to see a ground source heat pump installed there as part of this demonstration effort. 

CEEP represents a major expansion of TWP's Tribal Renewable Energy Program that will have far-reaching impact on many tribes and tribal families across America.