Shakopee mdewakanton sioux community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has worked diligently with local governments to provide services to our members by establishing intergovernmental agreements with various governmental entities, which include the City of Prior Lake, the City of Shakopee, Scott County, Metropolitan Council, and the State of Minnesota. The SMSC has made more than 77 agreements with government entities since 1984. In February 2012 the SMSC, Scott County, and the cities of Shakopee and Prior Lake reached an agreement to work cooperatively
on land issues to improve relations between the governments. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all four parties.

To the Shakopee Mdewakanton, being a good neighbor is an extension of the cultural tradition of being a good relative. The Dakota people believe that all living beings are relatives and should be treated not only with dignity and respect, but also helped in their day-to-day lives. The common expression Mitakuye Owasin, "We Are All Related," is often used to end prayers and ceremonies. The SMSC is grateful for the opportunity to not only provide significant financial assistance to other Tribes and charitable organizations through a charitable giving program but also to contribute to its neighbors in many other ways:

• The SMSC makes voluntary annual payments to cover the cost of services provided by local jurisdictions. Over the past 16 years, the SMSC has donated more than $229.3 million to Indian Tribes, charitable organizations, schools, and Native American organizations. The SMSC has also made more than $396 million in loans to other tribes for economic development projects. Since 1996 the SMSC paid more than $7.5 million for shared local road construction projects and an additional $16.7 million for road projects on the reservation. The SMSC has also paid $12.7 million to local governments for services and another $5 million for other projects.
• The SMSC leases out 12 acres to Scott County for 25 years with an option for an additional 25 years for a 545-space Eagle Creek Transit Station or “Park and Ride.” The transit station is a project of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, Scott County, the Metropolitan Council, and the cities of Shakopee and Prior Lake. The site is located near Highway 169 and a future County Road 21 expansion.
• The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is proud to be an active member of the Scott County Association for Leadership and Efficiency (SCALE). Representatives from 28 local governments including the SMSC, Scott County, local townships, school districts, and cities in Scott County make up SCALE, which meets monthly to discuss ways to collaborate and share resources and services. The primary purpose of the Association is to encourage greater efficiencies and leadership in public service through enhanced communication, collaboration of services, and sharing of resources.
• The SMSC and the City of Prior Lake have a unique agreement to share equipment for improving roads as part of the asphalt maintenance programs for streets and pavements. Sewer equipment is also shared. Both entities have purchased equipment and share their use as needed. The two departments have also interconnected their water mains for use during an emergency.
• Along with the City of Prior Lake, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community co-sponsors the Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Lakefront Days Triathlon. The event is held each August as part of a celebration of fun that included activities, competitions, shows, food, music and much more, during Prior Lake's annual Lakefront Days celebration.
• The SMSC's library has more than 10,409 items in its collection, which is mostly dedicated to Native American materials. The collection includes books on the Dakota, history, biography, geography, government, sociology, anthropology, religion, science, health, literature (fiction, poetry, drama, and journals), art, music, dance, arts and crafts, and education (includes curricula). There is also a juvenile section and an extensive audio/video section. Indian newspapers and magazines are also available. The library is open to researchers and educators by appointment only.
• The SMSC Gaming Enterprise donates thousands of dollars in certificates for free meals and hotel stays for area fundraisers, including organizations raising funds for individuals suffering from medical crises. The SMSC also donates golf and bingo packages, car wash coupons, and health club memberships in addition to playing cards for troops serving in Iraq and the Middle East and for nursing home residents.
• Mdewakanton Emergency Services, a full-time, professional fire department staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is owned and operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. The department responds to an average of 200 calls a month. Mdewakanton Fire added ambulance service in 2004 and makes an average of 60 ambulance transports a month. The department has mutual aid agreements with all the departments in Scott County and responds to an average of 20 mutual aid calls each month.
• The Mdewakanton Emergency Services Department administers the Mdewakanton LIFE program, which donates free Automated External Defibrillators to charitable organizations and schools. More than 746 AEDs have been given away over the past few years, including 199 to the Minnesota State Patrol. [Add link to online application.]