Shakopee Tribe Donates More Than $3 Million to Tribes and Nonprofits in Minnesota and Across the U.S.

Prior Lake, Minn. – The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) today announced more than $3 million in donations to eight tribes and two charitable organizations working in Indian Country.

These donations will support Native American communities in Minnesota and across the country. Specifically, the SMSC grants will help fund the purchase of medical equipment, construction of a new youth and family center, and legal support for those in need, among other projects.

Recipients include:

• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (SD) – $200,000 grant for a new radio tower

• Diamond Willow Ministries (SD) – $500,000 matching grant for construction of the new Tokata Youth and Family Center

• Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (SD) – $250,000 grant for two apartment buildings, as well as an additional $750,000 pledged for the next fiscal year

• Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma (OK) – $150,000 grant for dental equipment

• Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (MI) – $300,000 grant for clinic building renovations and equipment

• Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (MN) – $500,000 grant for a women’s treatment center.

• Native American Rights Fund (CO) – $200,000 general donation to support legal assistance provided to tribes, organizations and individuals nationwide

• Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska (KS) – $180,000 grant for a fiber optics project

• St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin (WI) – $250,000 for radiology and medical equipment

• Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (NE) – $240,000 grant for renovation of two buildings

“Helping one another is an important tradition for the Dakota people,” said SMSC Chairman Charles R. Vig. “We are happy to support important efforts to build and support Native communities around the country.”

The SMSC has donated more than $350 million to organizations and causes in the past 25 years and is the single-largest philanthropic benefactor for Indian Country nationally.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to Native American tribes and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise, and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County.