Shakopee Mdewakanton tribe applies to put 295 acres of its Scott County land into trust

Sep 28, 20200

Leila Navidi – Star Tribune count

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux have applied to put eight parcels in Prior Lake and 11 in Shakopee in trust. Most of the land is row crops and pasture, forests and wetlands. Above, the tribe's cultural center and gathering space is seen in 2019.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) has applied to put in trust nearly 300 acres of recently purchased acreage in Prior Lake and Shakopee, a designation that allows the federal government to take ownership and protect it for the tribe indefinitely.

The designation would also allow the tribe, which owns and operates Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, to forgo paying taxes on the land since it would provide all services there.

The trust designation puts the property under tribal law and jurisdiction, helping the tribe to meet its housing, economic development and environmental goals. Putting land into trust is one of the tribe's "most essential functions," said tribal planner Nicole Hendrickson.

https://www.startribune.com/shakopee-mdewakanton-tribe-applies-to-put-295-acres-of-its-scott-county-land-into-trust/572557331/